Public Housing
Eligibility
Public Housing’s preferences are the same except the working preference. A family will receive this working preference if one adult member is employed of if the head or spouse is age 62 or older or disabled under social security guidelines.
PREFERENCE DEFINITIONS:
1. RESIDENT: Residents of Fairfield County; OR a household member is working, or has been notified that they have been
hired to work, in Fairfield County. This preference does not deny or delay admission to the program based on race, color,
ethnic origin, gender, religion, disability, or age of any member of an applicant family.
2. DISASTER PROGRAMS: Approved to participate on, or participating in a HUD approved and operated disaster assistance
program.
3. VETERAN: A household that contains a person who served in the active military of the United States and was discharged
under conditions other than dishonorable; OR a household that contains a person serving in the active military of the
United States.
Each applicant for financial assistance, under the Veteran definition, shall be a veteran, as defined above, or
active-duty member; or dependent spouse, surviving spouse, dependent parent, minor child, or ward of a Veteran or deceased Veteran, as defined above, or deceased persons who were so serving at the time of death, or an active-duty member.
- 4. EMANCIPATED FROM FOSTER CARE: The applicant(s) must be ages 18-22, have been in foster care and have been referred from Fairfield County Child Protective Services.
5. HOMELESS: The applicant must be participating in a Fairfield County Transitional Housing Program and has been
participating for a consecutive period of not less than 6 months; OR is a resident of an Emergency Shelter.
6. WORKING FAMILY: (Public Housing Program only) The head of household or spouse is employed, working an
average of 20 hours a week for a period of 6 weeks consecutively (active pay status), OR if the head of household AND
spouse are age 62 or older OR if the head of household AND spouse are persons with disabilities.
7. DISABLED: (Housing Choice Voucher Program only): A household that includes a person with a disability.
A computerized “lottery” program will be utilized. The computer system will randomly choose, within a preference, which applicants will be chosen from the wait list to be offered rental assistance benefits, if they so qualify. The selected applicant must still have the preference, which allowed them to be pulled from the waiting list, at the time of selection and continue to maintain that preference through the unit offer and acceptance phase.
All applicants pulled and verified for eligibility will be placed on a “Unit wait list” until their name reaches the top of that list for an available unit. Public Housing only has 96 units, therefore; we can only house as Public Housing Participants move out.
Public Housing Program Overview
The Public Housing Program provides rental assistance to help low income families and renters retain safe and affordable housing and promote self sufficiency.
Public Housing is federally-funded through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Fairfield Metropolitan Housing Authority (FMHA) owns and manages ninety-six (96) three bedroom homes in seven scattered sites throughout the city of Lancaster. Forty (46) of the homes are townhouse style doubles and fifty (50) of the homes are single one story units.
After a family is approved and the eligibility process is complete, when a unit becomes available, the family will be contacted for acceptance of the home. A family may refuse the offer ONE time. The second time an offer is made, if the family refuses, they will be withdrawn and must re-apply to be placed back on the waiting list for Public Housing.
When a home is accepted a lease signing date will be scheduled. At that time the family must have the utilities placed into their name with the Lancaster Utilities Collection and AEP or South Central Power effective for the lease signing date. A family must bring with them the agreed amount for the security deposit, the rent (this could be pro-rated if the family does not move in on the 1st of the month), verification that the electric and utilities are in the name of the family’s Head or Spouse.
Under the Public Housing program you have the option to pay the current flat rent or percentage based income rent. Percentage based income rent you are required to pay 30% of your adjusted monthly gross income. A utility allowance determined on a yearly basis is deducted after your adjusted monthly gross income is calculated. This amount will be your monthly rent payment.
Tenant Responsibilities & Lease information
Income Changes
When you receive any additional income (employment, raise, SS or SSI, OWF, Child Support, etc.) you must report this change to FMHA within 10 days. You will be asked to fill out an interim report and verification of such income. All changes must be received to the FMHA within that 10-day time period.
RAB Information
The Resident Advisory Board (RAB) meetings are every other month to review policies, training on various subjects, guest speakers, and to discuss resident issues/concerns. These meetings are very valuable to the Public Housing Staff to find out issues and meet the residents. If you would like to give any ideas/suggestions for meetings or have any questions about the RAB, please contact our office for further details.
If you have questions or would like to see the following policies, please feel free to review the list below or contact our office to receive a copy of the policy:
Inspection Information & Types
Occupancy Rules
Housekeeping Standards
Rent adjustment Policy
Income Change Form
Security Deposit Policy
Visitation Guidelines
Rent Payment Policy
Pet Policy
Requesting Maintenance
Schedule of Charges
Grievance Procedures
Community Service Policy
Community Service Tracking Form
Vacating Instructions
Resident Handbook
Admissions / Tenant Selection & Assignment Plan and Occupancy Guidelines