Public Housing

Eligibility

Public Housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. A chart showing current income guidelines is available below. Income limits vary from area to area so applicants may be eligible at one Housing Authority but not at another. Depending on the type of housing assistance available, eligibility requirements will vary but can include the following:

• Annual Gross Income
• Family Status
• U.S. Citizenship or Eligible Immigration Status

Income Limits

Waiting List

The wait time for Public Housing depends on when a vacant unit is available. This program has additional requirements for background checks and landlord references. The Chillicothe MHA will deny admission to any applicant when the prior landlord or law enforcement screening reveals a history of behavior that could have a detrimental effect on other residents or property’s environment. If you need affordable housing while you wait for assistance, please request a list of Subsidized Housing and emergency contacts in Ross County.

Preference Points

Local Preference Points are used to establish the order that applicants are placed on our wait lists. Among applicants with equal preference status, the wait lists will be organized by date and time.

• Veteran
  • Given to Honorably Discharged Veterans only
  • Must provide DD214
  • Widow or Widower can also receive this point when they can provide the Veterans DD214 and Death Certificate

Waiting List Process

1. When an applicant is close to the top of the waiting list CMHA will send out a letter calling a family into a meeting. This meeting, called a Screening, is when your family will be asked to bring in your identifying documents, income verification, and any other documentation needed to determine your final eligibility.
2. A National background check will be completed as well as checking Courts of Common Pleas and Municipal Court systems on all adults in the household. References from previous Landlords are asked to be filled out before the Screening. Once these are returned CMHA will review the results and decide if the applicant is still eligible.
3. If the applicant is still eligible, they will wait for an available apartment to become open. This can take a few weeks to a few months depending on how often units become available, reconditioning of the unit, and when the applicant would be the next in line to be offered a unit.
4. When a unit is available we will contact the next applicant and offer them the unit with their correct bedroom size. The applicant can refuse the unit offered but CMHA must then take them off of the Waiting List and they will need to reapply.
5. If the applicant accepts the unit CMHA will then schedule a Pre-Leasing appointment to discuss the rent amount due each month and schedule the day to view the unit. During this appointment CMHA will also check that the applicant is able to get utilities in their own name if needed.
6. Last is the Leasing, where the applicant will pay the deposit and pro-rated amount of rent for the remainder of the month. CMHA and the new tenant will inspect the unit and the tenant will receive their keys.

Community Service

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

• 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.

• 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

• 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

• 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.
• All activities must be performed within the community and not outside the jurisdiction of the Housing Authority. (Ross County)
• All Public Housing families must fill out and return the Community Service Certificate annually during their annual recertification.
• 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.