Frequently Asked Questions
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GENERAL FAQ's
Q. How do I apply for assistance?
A. All applications must be completed online. Click on the application tab and follow the directions.
Check the appropriate boxes for the program(s) you wish to apply for. Be sure you are connected to a
working printer. Everyone 18 years of age and older must sign the signature page. The HUD
Emergency Contact form must be signed by the Head of Household. Due to the volume of
applications we receive for the HCV program, our waiting list is sometimes closed. If the "check box"
on our application is "greyed out," the waiting list is closed, and you will be unable to select this option.
Q. What documents are required?
A. For the initial application to be considered active, the applicant must provide the housing authority
with a birth certificate and social security card for every member of the household, photo identification
for everyone 18 years and older, and proof of all sources of income. Additional documents will be
required when the applicant is closer to being housed.
Q. Can I apply for assistance if I have a felony on my record?
A. Convicted/registered sex offenders and any drug related arrest/conviction will result in application
denial. Other felonies are considered on a case by case basis, and dependent upon when the arrest
was made since there are time restrictions on applying for housing after being convicted.
Q. When can a vendor expect to receive payment for invoices/statements billed?
A. Accounts payable checks are run twice a month (15th and 30th). The dates may vary slightly due to
weekends/holidays, etc. If a vendor has submitted their invoice/statement in time, a check should
arrive shortly after one of these two dates. Vendors must keep in mind that check processing begins
one to two days prior to the date of the check run.
PUBLIC HOUSING FAQ's
Q. How long is the waiting list?
A. There is a separate waiting list for each size (number of bedrooms) apartment. Your position on
the specific apartment waiting list is determined by Date of Application, Wythe County Resident Status
(anyone who lives or works in Wythe County), and Elderly, Handicapped/Disabled Designation. For
example, an applicant with both the Wythe County Resident Status and the Elderly,
Handicapped/Disabled Designation will be placed on the waiting list ahead of others without those
designations.
Q. How do I apply for assistance?
A. All applications must be completed online. Click on the application tab and follow the directions.
Check the appropriate boxes for the program(s) you wish to apply for. Be sure you are connected to a
working printer. Everyone 18 years of age and older must sign the signature page. The HUD
Emergency Contact form must be signed by the Head of Household. Due to the volume of
applications we receive for the HCV program, our waiting list is sometimes closed. If the "check box"
on our application is "greyed out," the waiting list is closed, and you will be unable to select this option.
Q. What documents are required?
A. For the initial application to be considered active, the applicant must provide the housing authority
with a birth certificate and social security card for every member of the household, photo identification
for everyone 18 years and older, and proof of all sources of income. Additional documents will be
required when the applicant is closer to being housed.
Q. Can I apply for assistance if I have a felony on my record?
A. Convicted/registered sex offenders and any drug related arrest/conviction will result in application
denial. Other felonies are considered on a case by case basis, and dependent upon when the arrest
was made since there are time restrictions on applying for housing after being convicted.
Q. When can a vendor expect to receive payment for invoices/statements billed?
A. Accounts payable checks are run twice a month (15th and 30th). The dates may vary slightly due to
weekends/holidays, etc. If a vendor has submitted their invoice/statement in time, a check should
arrive shortly after one of these two dates. Vendors must keep in mind that check processing begins
one to two days prior to the date of the check run.
PUBLIC HOUSING FAQ's
Q. How long is the waiting list?
A. There is a separate waiting list for each size (number of bedrooms) apartment. Your position on
the specific apartment waiting list is determined by Date of Application, Wythe County Resident Status
(anyone who lives or works in Wythe County), and Elderly, Handicapped/Disabled Designation. For
example, an applicant with both the Wythe County Resident Status and the Elderly,
Handicapped/Disabled Designation will be placed on the waiting list ahead of others without those
designations.
Q. How do I find out my position on the waiting list?
A. Applicants may call the WRHA office at 228-6515 during regular business hours to check their progression on the waiting list.
Q. Is there any special consideration for someone with an urgent housing need?
A. No, WRHA fills its vacancies strictly by its waiting list.
Q. Do I receive any special consideration because I am a veteran?
A. No preference is given to veterans. Preference is given to individuals/families who are 1) living/working in Wythe County (earned
income) 2) elderly/disabled.
Q. Are pets allowed in the public housing apartments?
A. Yes, a small dog (under 30 pounds) or cat is allowed with a $300 pet deposit. A $100 fumigation charge from the deposit is not
refundable. Some small pets such as birds and fish do not require the payment of a security deposit. All pets must be approved
by WRHA staff prior to being in the apartment.
Q. Are window furnishings provided? What size are the windows?
A. No window furnishings are provided. The size of the windows varies by apartments.
Q. Can a husband and wife have a two bedroom apartment?
A. WRHA allows a husband and wife a one bedroom apartment. WRHA, at its sole discretion, may allow a separate bedroom with
a documented medical need (page 25 of Admissions & Continued Occupancy Policies: Public Housing 2009).
Q. How large are the apartments?
A. WRHA has one, two, three, four, and five bedroom apartments.
Q. How much is the rent?
A. Ceiling rents range from $419 for a one bedroom apartment to $818 for a five bedroom apartment. Actual rent will vary and is
based on income. Rent is calculated using a HUD approved formula that considers income, the number of dependents, medical
expenses, and various other expenses and will be about 30 percent of the resulting figure.
Q. Are utilities included in my rent?
A. Gas, electricity, and water are included in the monthly rent; however limits do exist. If a resident exceeds the allowed utility limit,
the tenant pays the actual cost of the overage.
Q. Are any apartments handicapped accessible?
A. Yes, WRHA has six apartments that are designed for residents in wheelchairs, and twelve additional apartments that are
designed for residents with disabilities.
Q. Do the apartments have air conditioning?
A. Apartments at Hedgefield are air conditioned. Other public housing apartments are not air conditioned. However, the tenant
may purchase and have WRHA maintenance staff install window units.
Q. What appliances are furnished?
A. All apartments are equipped with a range and refrigerator. Apartments at Hedgefield have washer/dryer hookups. Other public
housing apartments have a washer hookup.
HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER FAQ's
Q. What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program?
A. Sometimes referred to as the "Section 8" Program, the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) allows an individual/family to
rent in the private market in Wythe County. A voucher is issued to the family that will pay the owner a portion (up to the full amount)
of the rent charged on an approved unit. The portion paid to the owner is dependent upon the family's income and other variables.
A voucher may be used to rent a house, apartment, or mobile home that qualifies for the HCV pogram.
Q. Who do I pay my portion of the rent to?
A. Rent payments are made to the owner/landlord. The housing authority will pay the owner/landlord the voucher amount by
means of direct deposit.
Q. Will I have a lease with WRHA?
A. A lease exists between the owner/landlord and the tenant. All voucher recipients are expected to honor the lease for a period of
12 months before a move is allowed. If any conditions arise that make the 12 month lease period an impossibility, permission
must be given by the WRHA prior to a move.
Q. How long is the waiting period before a voucher is issued?
A. The WRHA is only issued 135 vouchers from HUD. These vouchers must be released by the recipient before any new vouchers
can be issued. The waiting time to receive a voucher can be as long as two to three years.
Q. What if I need emergency rental assistance?
A. The HCV program does not provide emergency rental assistance.
Q. Can I use my voucher outside of Wythe County?
A. A voucher must be used within Wythe County for at least 12 months before it can be moved outside the county, and then it can
only be moved with notification to the WRHA.
Q. How much will a voucher pay towards my rent?
A. Rent and utility costs are added together to determine if the rent charged is reasonable for the size of the unit and the area. The
voucher recipient's income is also considered. All values are entered in a HUD approved formula that computes the amount of the
voucher. All vouchers are computed on an individual basis.
Q. Will the voucher pay for my utilities?
A. Utilities are calculated as part of the HCV Program. The amount above & beyond actual rent (if any) paid will be determined by
the recipient's income and will be computed be entering values in a HUD approved formula used specifically for this purpose.
Q. When can a HCV owner expect to receive the HAP?
A. Owners will receive their HAP via direct deposit within the first five working days of the month.
Q. Why do HCV owners not receive monthly notifications of the HAP's received?
A. The main reason for requiring direct deposit for HAP was to cut out postage costs, reduce lost checks and eliminate
unnecessary paper waste. Mailing out monthly payment notices defeats this purpose. All owners can access their account activity
via our website by clicking on the "Owners and Landlords" tab and use the WRHA provided registration number to begin the
process.
TAX CREDIT PROPERTIES FAQ's
Q. What is the difference between the public housing program and the tax credit program?
A. Public housing rent is adjusted based on income and includes utilities. Tax credit housing uses flat rate rents and the utilities
are generally paid by the tenant. Housing Choice Vouchers may be used in tax credit housing but not in public housing.
Q. Who provides maintenance for Tax Credit Housing?
A. Maintenance for the building's interior and exterior is provided by WRHA and/or its contracted providers. Yard maintenance is
sometimes required of the tenant -- depending on the development where the tenant resides.
Q. What size units are available?
A. Southridge Apartments are all one bedroom units. Southridge Estates are three bedroom houses. Cassell Pines Apartments
consist of one and two bedroom units. Some of the one bedroom units at Cassell Pines are designed for handicapped
accessibility.
A. Applicants may call the WRHA office at 228-6515 during regular business hours to check their progression on the waiting list.
Q. Is there any special consideration for someone with an urgent housing need?
A. No, WRHA fills its vacancies strictly by its waiting list.
Q. Do I receive any special consideration because I am a veteran?
A. No preference is given to veterans. Preference is given to individuals/families who are 1) living/working in Wythe County (earned
income) 2) elderly/disabled.
Q. Are pets allowed in the public housing apartments?
A. Yes, a small dog (under 30 pounds) or cat is allowed with a $300 pet deposit. A $100 fumigation charge from the deposit is not
refundable. Some small pets such as birds and fish do not require the payment of a security deposit. All pets must be approved
by WRHA staff prior to being in the apartment.
Q. Are window furnishings provided? What size are the windows?
A. No window furnishings are provided. The size of the windows varies by apartments.
Q. Can a husband and wife have a two bedroom apartment?
A. WRHA allows a husband and wife a one bedroom apartment. WRHA, at its sole discretion, may allow a separate bedroom with
a documented medical need (page 25 of Admissions & Continued Occupancy Policies: Public Housing 2009).
Q. How large are the apartments?
A. WRHA has one, two, three, four, and five bedroom apartments.
Q. How much is the rent?
A. Ceiling rents range from $419 for a one bedroom apartment to $818 for a five bedroom apartment. Actual rent will vary and is
based on income. Rent is calculated using a HUD approved formula that considers income, the number of dependents, medical
expenses, and various other expenses and will be about 30 percent of the resulting figure.
Q. Are utilities included in my rent?
A. Gas, electricity, and water are included in the monthly rent; however limits do exist. If a resident exceeds the allowed utility limit,
the tenant pays the actual cost of the overage.
Q. Are any apartments handicapped accessible?
A. Yes, WRHA has six apartments that are designed for residents in wheelchairs, and twelve additional apartments that are
designed for residents with disabilities.
Q. Do the apartments have air conditioning?
A. Apartments at Hedgefield are air conditioned. Other public housing apartments are not air conditioned. However, the tenant
may purchase and have WRHA maintenance staff install window units.
Q. What appliances are furnished?
A. All apartments are equipped with a range and refrigerator. Apartments at Hedgefield have washer/dryer hookups. Other public
housing apartments have a washer hookup.
HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER FAQ's
Q. What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program?
A. Sometimes referred to as the "Section 8" Program, the Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) allows an individual/family to
rent in the private market in Wythe County. A voucher is issued to the family that will pay the owner a portion (up to the full amount)
of the rent charged on an approved unit. The portion paid to the owner is dependent upon the family's income and other variables.
A voucher may be used to rent a house, apartment, or mobile home that qualifies for the HCV pogram.
Q. Who do I pay my portion of the rent to?
A. Rent payments are made to the owner/landlord. The housing authority will pay the owner/landlord the voucher amount by
means of direct deposit.
Q. Will I have a lease with WRHA?
A. A lease exists between the owner/landlord and the tenant. All voucher recipients are expected to honor the lease for a period of
12 months before a move is allowed. If any conditions arise that make the 12 month lease period an impossibility, permission
must be given by the WRHA prior to a move.
Q. How long is the waiting period before a voucher is issued?
A. The WRHA is only issued 135 vouchers from HUD. These vouchers must be released by the recipient before any new vouchers
can be issued. The waiting time to receive a voucher can be as long as two to three years.
Q. What if I need emergency rental assistance?
A. The HCV program does not provide emergency rental assistance.
Q. Can I use my voucher outside of Wythe County?
A. A voucher must be used within Wythe County for at least 12 months before it can be moved outside the county, and then it can
only be moved with notification to the WRHA.
Q. How much will a voucher pay towards my rent?
A. Rent and utility costs are added together to determine if the rent charged is reasonable for the size of the unit and the area. The
voucher recipient's income is also considered. All values are entered in a HUD approved formula that computes the amount of the
voucher. All vouchers are computed on an individual basis.
Q. Will the voucher pay for my utilities?
A. Utilities are calculated as part of the HCV Program. The amount above & beyond actual rent (if any) paid will be determined by
the recipient's income and will be computed be entering values in a HUD approved formula used specifically for this purpose.
Q. When can a HCV owner expect to receive the HAP?
A. Owners will receive their HAP via direct deposit within the first five working days of the month.
Q. Why do HCV owners not receive monthly notifications of the HAP's received?
A. The main reason for requiring direct deposit for HAP was to cut out postage costs, reduce lost checks and eliminate
unnecessary paper waste. Mailing out monthly payment notices defeats this purpose. All owners can access their account activity
via our website by clicking on the "Owners and Landlords" tab and use the WRHA provided registration number to begin the
process.
TAX CREDIT PROPERTIES FAQ's
Q. What is the difference between the public housing program and the tax credit program?
A. Public housing rent is adjusted based on income and includes utilities. Tax credit housing uses flat rate rents and the utilities
are generally paid by the tenant. Housing Choice Vouchers may be used in tax credit housing but not in public housing.
Q. Who provides maintenance for Tax Credit Housing?
A. Maintenance for the building's interior and exterior is provided by WRHA and/or its contracted providers. Yard maintenance is
sometimes required of the tenant -- depending on the development where the tenant resides.
Q. What size units are available?
A. Southridge Apartments are all one bedroom units. Southridge Estates are three bedroom houses. Cassell Pines Apartments
consist of one and two bedroom units. Some of the one bedroom units at Cassell Pines are designed for handicapped
accessibility.