Public Housing Frequent Questions
What are some of the reasons that could prevent me from getting housing assistance?
There are many reasons why an application may be denied including, but not limited to:
- Failed criminal background check
- Previous evictions
- Whether you or your household members owe any debts to us or to another subsidized housing property
- Income over the federally-mandated income limits
- Failure to appear for scheduled appointments
- Failure to provide necessary documents or information for us to determine eligibility in a timely manner.
All denials are based on the policies and regulations found in the GCHA’s ACOP. The GCHA is prohibited by federal law from discriminating on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, familial status, and disability.
What happens when it is my turn to receive housing?
Once your name reaches the top of the waiting list, you will be contacted by mail and/or phone. The GCHA will begin the process to verify your income, assets, and family composition. We will also check landlord references, conduct criminal background checks of everyone in the household 18 years of age and other factors that help the GCHA determine your suitability for living in our housing properties.
After this process is completed, we will notify you either by phone or mail of your eligibility.
How long is the waiting list?
The length of time you will spend on the waiting list will be different for every bedroom size. It is impossible to give an estimate of how long you will have to wait because we have a fixed number of Public Housing units. These units become available at unpredictable intervals so there is no way to predict how long anyone will have to wait for one of our units to become available.
Do I have to be a citizen to be eligible for housing assistance?
No. You do not have to be a citizen; however, you must have eligible immigration status. Everyone in the household will be required to declare their citizenship status and provide proof of identity. Non-citizens with eligible immigration status will be required to provide proof of eligible immigration status as well.
If I have moved since the time I submitted my application, do I need to notify the GCHA?
Yes. You must report any changes of address to the GCHA within 10 business days, in person/by phone (you will need to present you password in order to update/change/add any information and to access what place you are on the waiting list). Please note: changing your address with the post office will NOT change your address with the GCHA. You must update us separately. The same goes for Human Services, The County Assistance Office, or any other outside agency.
Almost all of our communication with you will be conducted via mail. This is why it is extremely important to keep us updated with your current address. If a letter is returned by the post office, your name will be removed from the waiting list.
What happens once my application is submitted?
Applications are placed on the waiting list based on the bedroom size you qualify for. Your placement on the list will be ordered by preference category and, within each preference category, by the date and time the application was received by our office.
How is the unit size (number of bedrooms) determined?
The GCHA assigns bedrooms based on the criteria outlined in our GCHA Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP).
What is the maximum amount of income that I can earn in order to qualify for assistance?
The income limits are determined by HUD and change every year. Please see the RESOURCES page for current income limits.
Will I need to produce any documentation?
Yes. The GCHA will request whatever documentation is needed (e.g., birth certificates, Photo Identification, social security cards, etc.) to verify the information given on your application. The GCHA will also rely on direct verification from outside sources. You will be asked to sign a form to authorize release of pertinent information to the GCHA.
How does the application process work?
We will collect the following information on the application:
- Names of all persons who will be living in the Public Housing unit, social security number, sex, date of birth, and relation to the head;
- Current address and telephone number;
- Family characteristics including but not limited to (e.g., veterans), or circumstances (e.g., living in our jurisdiction) that might qualify the family for tenant selection preferences;
- Names and addresses of your current and previous landlords for information about your family’s suitability as a tenant;
- Personal references; and
- Sources and amounts of all your family’s income, assets, etc.
