Community Service

About the Community Service Requirement

The Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 requires that all non-exempt Public Housing adult residents (18 years of age and older) contribute eight (8) hours per month of community service (volunteer work) or participate in eight (8) hours of training, counseling, classes and other activities which help an individual toward self-sufficiency and economic independence. This is a requirement of the Public Housing Lease. It is a part of the Public Housing Reform act as well.

Definitions

Community Service
Volunteer work, which includes, but is not limited to:
  • Volunteer at a local school, hospital, recreation center, senior center, or child care center
  • Volunteer with youth or senior organizations
  • Volunteer at CMHA to help improve physical conditions (must have authorization from the housing Manager prior to performing the work)
  • Volunteer at CMHA to help with children’s programs.
  • Volunteer helping neighborhood groups and special project, block watch, flower sale, etc.
  • Attend Resident Advisory Board Meetings (held quarterly)
  • Participate in the Resident Advisory Board-being a neighborhood captain, handing out flyers designated from the Housing Authority Staff.
  • Volunteer with CMHA and Resident Advisory Board to help other residents with problems(as designated by the Housing Authority)
  • Caring for the children of other residents so they volunteer.
  • NOTE: Political Activity is excluded.
Self Sufficiency Activities
Activities that include, but not limited to:
  • Job training programs
  • GED classes
  • College or Technical classes
  • Substance abuse or mental health counseling (cannot be court ordered)
  • English proficiency or literacy (reading) classes
  • Budget and credit counseling
  • Any type of class that helps a person toward economic independence
Exempt Adult
An adult member of the family whom:
  • Is 62 years of age or older
  • Has a verifiable disability that prevents him or her from being gainfully employed
  • Is a caretaker of a disabled person in the home
  • Is working at least 20 hours per week
  • Is receiving assistance from TANF and must be in compliance with job training and work requirements of the program
All exemptions must be verified at the time of exemption.
  1. Non-exempt Public Housing adults must perform eight (8) hours of activity each month. A tracking form must be filled out and submitted during their annual recertification. An individual may not skip a month or complete only partial hours and make up the next month, unless special circumstances warrant special consideration, which requires the Housing Authority to make the determination to allow or disallow a deviation from the schedule. (Documentation must be presented to the Housing Manager and retained in the tenant file.
  2. All activities must be performed within the community and not outside the jurisdiction of the Housing Authority. (Ross County)
  3. All Public Housing families must fill out and return the Community Service Certificate annually during their annual recertification.
  4. If CMHA finds a family member to be in non-compliance, CMHA may choose to enter into a “cure” agreement with the member and the Head of Household to make up the deficient hours over the next twelve (12) month period. If, at the next annual re-examination, the family member still is non-compliant, the lease will not be renewed and the entire family will have to vacate, unless the non-compliant member agrees to vacate the Public Housing rental unit.