Public Housing

Public Housing is subsidized assistance for residents of SAHA-owned properties. SAHA manages and maintains 6,169 units plus 181 scattered sites for a total of 6,350 dwellings. These rental units are located at throughout 61 developments, and are available to eligible low-income families, seniors and people with disabilities.

How affordable is Public Housing?
Rent Payment: The formula used in determining rental payment is the highest of the following:
30% of monthly adjusted income (after allowed deductions)
10% of monthly income ($25 minimum rent)
Flat Rent (varies by property as determined by market survey)

How the Public Housing Selection Process Works.
Application Process: Persons interested in participating in the public housing program must take the following steps:
Fill out a pre-application: A pre-application can be picked up at SAHA’s main office, or downloaded from HYPERLINK http://www.saha.org. Applicants may also have the form mailed to them by calling 220-3200. Once completed, forms must be submitted to SAHA.
Placed on the waiting list: Applicants will be placed on one or a combination of waiting lists (family, elderly/disabled). An elderly family (age 62 years or older) has the option to live in a development designated for elderly families or for families.
Final application/screening process: When the applicant’s name comes up on the waiting list, they will be contacted by mail and given an appointment to begin the process of completing the final application. The information provided to SAHA by the applicant will then be verified for accuracy and eligibility.
Unit Offer: Once the screening process is completed, SAHA will offer a housing unit in accordance with family size.
Eligibility: In order to be eligible for public housing, an applicant must meet the following federal guidelines and SAHA applicant screening criteria:
Be a family as defined in SAHA’s Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policy
Meet HUD requirements on citizenship or immigration status
Meet the applicant selection criteria and complete a full application appointment
Meet the screening requirements related to criminal activity
Not have any family members engaged in any criminal activity that threatens the life, health, safety or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents, and not have any family members engaged in any drug-related criminal activity
Pay any money already owed to SAHA
Have an annual income that does not exceed income limits established by HUD (must not exceed 80% of Area Median Income (AMI) based on family size). A current income limit chart is available on SAHA’s website or at the main office.

How Long a Wait for Public Housing?
As of October 1, 2004, the waiting list contains 13,435 applicants.

The list is subject to availability. Applicants are placed on one or a combination of waiting lists (family, elderly/disabled) according to unit size, and date and time of application.

Income Limits

No. of persons	1	2	3	4	5	6	7	8
Low Income	$28,850	$32.950	$37,100	$41,200	$44,500	$47,800	$51,100	$54,400