HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING?
You cannot sign a legal contract in the state of Alabama unless you are at least 19 years of age.
WHAT IS PUBLIC HOUSING?
Public housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low and moderate income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Public housing comes in all sizes and types, from scattered single family houses to high rise apartments for elderly families. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers Federal aid to local housing agencies that manage the housing for low income residents at rents they can afford.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Public housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. The Housing Authority determines your eligibility based on:
• Annual gross income
• Whether you qualify as elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family
• U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status
• Criminal History
• Rental History Based on our screening process, Housing Authority of Walker County (HAWC) will deny admission to any applicant whose habits and practices may be expected to have a detrimental effect on other residents or on the public housing environment.
HOW DO I APPLY?
If you are interested in applying for public housing, contact the Housing Authority of Walker County at the address or telephone number indicated on the Website. For your convenience, you may download and print the application, complete it and return it to the HAWC office.
WHAT IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS?
The application process is listed below (Note: this is only intended as a summary of the process and may not be all-inclusive):
1) Application - An application is completed and submitted by the applicant in order to be placed on the waiting list.
2) Waiting List - The family is placed on the waiting list according to type and size of unit needed, preference or priority (if applicable in current policy), and date and time the application was received. The application will remain in the "pending" status until approved or denied.
3) Interview and verification process - As applicants approach the top of the waiting list, they will be contacted by first class mail to schedule an interview to complete their applicant file. The letter will specify the information/documentation the applicant must bring with them to the interview. Applicants who fail to attend their scheduled interview or fail to reply to the letter will have their applications withdrawn, subject to reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. Meter completion of the interview, the verification process will begin. The HAWC will verify all applicable information according to policy. Once all paperwork has been returned and verified, and if the applicant is found eligible, the status will change from pending to eligible. Applicants will then be offered vacancies as they become available.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR ME TO OBTAIN HOUSING?
The time frame varies depending on the number of vacancies we have each month and how many people are applying for housing. The waiting list also varies depending on which bedroom size for which you are qualified. However, you are valued as an applicant and will work diligently to provide you with housing as soon as we are able.
IF I LIVE IN PUBLIC HOUSING, CAN I APPLY FOR SECTION 8 (HOUSING CHOICE VOUCER)?
If the Section 8 (HCV) waiting list is open, you may apply.
WHAT IF I OWE MONEY TO A FORMER LANDLORD OR HAVE A CRIMINAL HISTORY, CAN I STILL BE HOUSED?
Every applicant is subject to our screening process that includes, but is not limited to a criminal background check and former tenancy history. Applicants that owe a housing authority or any other federally subsidized program funds will not be processed for occupancy. The applicant must pay the funds owed prior to the application being processed. After the application is processed, the applicant must meet all other conditions for occupancy. Repayment of funds that are due, does not necessarily qualify an applicant for occupancy.
WHAT IF I NEED EMERGENCY HOUSING?
The Housing Authority of Walker County cannot provide emergency housing.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PUBLIC HOUSING AND THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM (SECTION 8)?
Public Housing is owned by the Housing Authority and the Authority manages the property it leases. The HAWC owns and manages apartments in Dora and Oakman, Alabama which are leased to low-income people on an income-based rental rate or at a flat rental rate depending on the preference of the resident. This assistance is attached to the public housing unit in which the family resides and is not transferable. The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) is housing that is owned and managed by private landlords who list their property with a housing authority. The housing authority subsidizes part of the resident's rent to the landlord so the housing is affordable for the resident. This assistance is attached to the family rather than the unit.