Office of Admissions

APPLYING FOR ADMISSION

The policy of the SHA is to ensure that all families who express an interest in housing assistance are given an equal opportunity to apply, and are treated in a fair and consistent manner. The Admissions Office is responsible for administering the policies and procedures for application intake, managing the waiting list and placement. The primary purpose of the intake function is to gather information about the family, but the SHA will also utilize this process to provide information to the family so that an accurate and timely decision of eligibility can be made. Applicants will be placed on the waiting list in accordance with this policy.

HOW TO APPLY

Families who wish to apply for any of the SHA's programs must complete a written application form when applications are submitted. Applications will be made available in an accessible format upon request from any person with a disability.

•    Applications will be mailed to interested families upon request.
•    Applications will be accepted at a central location for all waiting lists.
•    For site-based waiting lists, applications will be accepted at the site.

The application process will involve two phases:

1. The "initial" application for admission referred to as a preapplication - This first phase is to determine the family's eligibility for, and placement on, the waiting list. The preapplication will be dated, time-stamped, and referred to the SHA's office where tenant selection and assignment is processed.

2. The second phase is the "final determination of eligibility for admission" (referred as the full application). The full application takes place when the family reaches the top of the waiting list. At this time the SHA ensures that verification of all HUD and SHA eligibility factors is current in order to determine the family's eligibility for an offer of a suitable unit.

"INITIAL" APPLICATION PROCEDURES

The SHA will utilize a preliminary-application form (pre-application) for the initial application for public housing. The application is submitted in person and the data is entered into the computer. The application may also be mailed to the applicant and, if requested, it will be mailed in an accessible format.

The purpose of the preapplication is to permit the SHA to preliminarily assess family eligibility or ineligibility and to determine placement on the waiting list.

The preapplication will contain questions designed to obtain the following information:

•    Names of household and spouse
•    Names of adult members and age of all members
•    Number of family members (used to estimate bedroom size needed)
•    Street address and phone numbers
•    Mailing address (if PO Box or other permanent address)
•    Annual income
•    Source(s) of income received by household members to determine preference    qualification
•    Sufficient additional information to determine preference qualification
•    Information regarding request for reasonable accommodation or for accessible unit
•    Social Security Numbers
•    Race / Ethnicity
•    Previous address(es)
•    Names and addresses of current and previous landlords
•    Emergency contact person and address
•    Questions regarding previous participation in HUD programs

Preapplications will not require interviews. Information on the application will not be verified until the applicant has been selected for final eligibility determination. Final eligibility will be determined when the full application process is completed and all information is verified.

Applicants are requested to inform the SHA in writing of changes in family composition, income, and address, as well as any changed in their preference status. Applicants are also required to respond to requests from the SHA to update information on their application, or to determine their continued interest in assistance.

Failure to provide information or to respond to mailings will result in the applicant being removed from the waiting list.

NOTIFICATION OF APPLICANT STATUS

If after a review of the preapplication the family is determined to be preliminarily eligible, they will be notified in writing (in accessible format upon request, as a reasonable accommodation).

This written notification of preliminary eligibility will be mailed to the applicant by first class mail. If the family is determined to be ineligible based on the information provided in the preapplication, the SHA will notify the family in writing (in an accessible format upon request as a reasonable accommodation), state the reason(s), and inform them of their right to an informal hearing. Persons with disabilities may request to have an advocate attend the informal hearing as an accommodation.

COMPLETION OF FULL APPLICATION

The application will contain questions designed to obtain the following information:

•    Names of household and spouse
•    Names of adult members and age of all members
•    Number of family members (used to estimate bedroom size needed)
•    Street address and phone numbers
•    Mailing address (if PO Box or other permanent address)
•    Annual income
•    Source(s) of income received by household members to determine preference    qualification
•    Sufficient additional information to determine preference qualification
•    Information regarding request for reasonable accommodation or for accessible unit
•    Social Security Numbers
•    Race / Ethnicity
•    Placeholder* [Arrest / Convictions] for Drug Related or Violent Criminal Activity
•    Previous address
•    Names and addresses of current and previous landlords
•    Emergency contact person and address
•    Questions regarding previous participation in HUD programs
•    Credit Report
•    Guarantee of Rent Payment (Applies only to State Moderate Rent Properties)
•    Complete a Personal Declaration Form
•    Require documentation of Live-In-Aide

All preferences claimed on the application or while the family is on the waiting list will be verified:

•    Whenever the family claims a preference.
•    Upon receipt of the application and prior to placement on the waiting list.
•    After the family is selected from the waiting list, and prior to completing the final    eligibility determination.

If a preference cannot be verified, said applicant will be returned to their proper place on the waiting list and preference removed.

The qualification for preference must exist at the time the preference is verified regardless of the length of time an applicant has been on the waiting list because the preference is based on current status.

Applicants on the waiting list who will be selected in the near future will be sent a eligibility appointment letter. The letter will notify the applicant of an application interview and request the applicant to bring all documents which verify all factors to be verified. Factors to be verified will be listed in the letter.

These documents will be used for verification only if a third party verification cannot be obtained.

After the preference is verified, when the SHA is ready to select applicants, the SHA will send the applicant a letter notifying him/her of a briefing.

The full application will be completed when the applicant attends the briefing.

•    Waiting lists that are currently open:

 o      State Moderate rent- 2 & 3 bedrooms     

 o      Federal Elderly/Disabled- 0-2 bedrooms

 o      State Elderly/Disabled- 0 & 1 bedrooms

TWO (2) BEDROOMS*

30% of Average Base Rent for Moderate Rent

THREE (3) BEDROOMS*

30% of Average Base Rent for Moderate Rent

* Charts are subject to change.

Copyright © 05-06 Stamford Housing Authority
Last modified: 11/09/06