General FAQs
What’s the difference between Section 8 and Public Housing?SECTION 8 The housing choice voucher program is the federal government's major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Eligible families are issued a voucher and can use it to rent a property of their choice that meets certain criteria.
PUBLIC HOUSING Public housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Generally, with Public Housing, the assistance is attached to the building. FCHA manages 132 Public Housing unit on S. Anderson, S. Bacher, S. Chapel, S. Peach streets, Dr. MLK Jr. ave, and Booe Street.
PUBLIC HOUSING Public housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Generally, with Public Housing, the assistance is attached to the building. FCHA manages 132 Public Housing unit on S. Anderson, S. Bacher, S. Chapel, S. Peach streets, Dr. MLK Jr. ave, and Booe Street.
I need assistance with paying my rent, can you help?Yes, if you are a participant in the HCV or Public Housing program. You will pay a portion of the rent based on your household income.
Who’s eligible for Section 8 and Public Housing?Eligibility for a housing voucher is determined by the PHA based on the total annual gross income and family size and is limited to US citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status.
Public housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. An HA determines your eligibility based on: 1) annual gross income; 2) whether you qualify as elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family; and 3) U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status.
I heard that applications are closed but, can I still apply to get put on the waitlist?No. Section 8 and Public Housing are administered from a waitlist. When applications are open and become available, you are applying to get on the waitlist for that particular housing program and you can only apply for housing assistance when the waitlist is open.
Is there emergency housing? No. You can only receive assistance by applying to the waiting list and once your name gets to the top of the waiting list, if you are still eligible, you will begin the process of receiving rental assistance. If you have a “preference,” also known as, “points,”, your name can move up on the waitlist according to the date and time of your application.
How often does the waitlist open? The Housing Authority will generally close the waiting list when the estimated waiting period to receive housing assistance for applicants on the list reaches 24 months for the most current applicants.
Can I submit an application so that you can have my information when the waitlist opens? No. Applications are only accepted when the waitlist is open.
Can I make any changes to my application?All changes to application information must be made in writing. If you have changed your mailing address, family members, income etc., you may fill out a Change In Family Composition Form or send a letter by mail requesting the change (please include your social security number so we can easily identify your records). If we require additional documentation of this change, we will advise you of what is required.
When is the waitlist going to open? The Housing Authority will announce the wait list opening 45 days before it opens so please check the website monthly for updates. Checking our website on a monthly basis will ensure that you do not miss the announcement.
I and/or someone in my household is elderly/disabled. Do we qualify for emergency or immediate housing? Both rental assistance programs are based off of a waiting list. There is no immediate assistance. You are applying to be placed on a waiting list.
What if I need emergency housing?Our agency cannot provide emergency housing. If you are in the Flagler or Clay county area and are in need of emergency housing, you may want to contact one of the other local social service organizations.
What if I am a program participant and I can’t afford to pay my rent?The portion of the rent you pay is always based on your household income, if there has been a change in your household income, you can submit the required verification and your portion of the rent will be adjusted accordingly.
Is there a way to get my name higher on the waitlist? If you are eligible for a local waiting list preference, it is possible for you to move up on the list.
Public Housing FAQs
What will my rent be?Tenants pay rent, via money order only, directly to the Housing Authority. Tenants may choose to pay either an income based rent (which is equal to approximately 30% of their adjusted household income) or a fixed flat rent which is similar to market rent.
What is a preference?
The Housing Authority will offer a waiting list preference to families that include working head of household, or disabled household members.
One local preference per family is permitted. Having a preference can move your name up on the waitlist. While on the waitlist, a preference can be added or removed at any time. It is your responsibility to keep the information regarding your preference current.
One local preference per family is permitted. Having a preference can move your name up on the waitlist. While on the waitlist, a preference can be added or removed at any time. It is your responsibility to keep the information regarding your preference current.
How do I know if I’m eligible for Public Housing after getting on the waitlist?Eligibility of applicants is not officially determined until applicants reach the top of the waiting list. At that time, applicants will be asked to provide documentation of income, assets, identity, Social Security Number, citizenship or immigration status, and any other information necessary to determine program eligibility. If at any time while on the waiting list the Housing Authority determines you are ineligible to receive assistance, you will be notified in writing.
What determines eligibility for Public Housing?Public housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. An HA determines your eligibility based on: 1) annual gross income; 2) whether you qualify as elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family; and 3) U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status. If you are eligible, the HA will check your references to make sure you and your family will be good tenants. HAs will deny admission to any applicant whose habits and practices may be expected to have a detrimental effect on other tenants or on the project's environment.
How long does it typically take to get housing assistance?Since the demand for housing assistance often exceeds the limited resources available to HUD and the local housing agencies, long waiting periods are common. In fact, a PHA may close its waiting list when it has more families on the list than can be assisted in the near future.
How is it possible that someone else got housing assistance before me?Your spot on the waiting list is determined by the date and the time of your application and if you have a waiting list preference. It is possible for someone who applied before you to submit a preference after you and to be moved ahead of you on the waiting list.
Can I get a timeframe for how long it will take to get housed?If you are already on the waiting list, please understand that your wait for assistance may be long. We cannot accurately predict when your name will reach the top of the waitlist per se, as it depends on when the current residents move out and/or leave the program, the size of units that become available, and the household size of applicants approaching the top of the waiting list.
Section 8 FAQs
When will inspections take place?Annual inspections are scheduled at least 90 days prior to the effective date of the renewal. Initial inspections are normally completed 14 days after we receive the required tenancy documentation.
How much does the tenant pay and how much does Section 8 pay?Rental payments are based on the household income, both the landlord and tenant will receive a Notice of Rent Change, which breakdowns the payment. Generally, you will pay 30% of your adjusted monthly income.