Public Housing
Learn about the Victoria Housing Authority Public Housing Program, eligibility requirements, maintenance information, and resident policies.
Program Overview
The Public Housing Program aims to provides decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families. The program was created under the Housing Act of 1937 which authorized the establishment of State and Local Public Housing Authorities. These Housing Authorities own and manage housing units available to low-income families at a low cost. The Victoria Housing Authority (HA) owns and manages 321 public housing units in Victoria.
The job of the Victoria Housing Authority (VHA) pursuant to HUD regulations is to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing, in good repair, to low-income families at an affordable rent. VHA screens applicants for public housing and, if they are found eligible and accepted, VHA offers the applicant a unit. If the applicant accepts the offer, VHA will enter into a contract with the applicant known as the lease, becoming a tenant of the public housing program.
VHA receives its operating subsidy for the public housing program from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A Public Housing Agency (PHA) is a governmental or public body, created through state enabling legislation to develop and operate housing and housing programs for low-income families. VHA enters into an Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) with HUD to administer the public housing program. VHA must ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and notices and must establish policy and procedures to clarify federal requirements and to ensure consistency in program operation.
The Admission and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP) establishes guidelines for applicant eligibility and continued rental assistance.
Program at a Glance
Frequently Asked Questions
People who qualify sign a lease with HA for the unit and pay a security deposit. The family then pays rent to the HA each month. The amount the family pays depends upon the family's income. The Housing Authority maintains the residence. Repairs made because of tenant damages are billed to the tenant. At least annually, the HA inspects the unit to make sure it meets government standards. The HA also verifies the household income at least annually and adjusts the rent up or down if the income has changed. Any damages must be paid in full with the following month's rent.
Once a pre-application is submitted to the Housing Authority, the family put on a waiting by date and time. When the families name comes to the top of list, families will be called in to complete the full application packet which includes providing proof of income and completing a back and criminal screening.
If you are denied due to income, you will be removed from the waiting list as you are not eligible for the program. If you are denied due criminal history or negative rental, you may request a grievance hearing in writing within 14 calendar days of the date of the denial the letter. You must complete this request and have it submitted to our office by the specified deadline.
When your name comes to the top of the waiting list you will be offered a Public Housing Unit. You will be contacted by phone and mail; you will then have 3 working days to accept the unit, or you will be removed from the list. Legitimate reasons to reject an offer will be considered (hospitalization, death in family, etc.). You would then have to reapply to get your name back on the waiting list. We suggest that you prepare yourself to accept a unit when it is offered. This means that you must have your deposit of $100.00.
Once a unit is available, you will be offered a unit. You must accept a vacancy offered within three (3) days of the date the offer is communicated. You will be dropped from the qualified applicant list after you decline the 3rd offer and will have to reapply. At lease signing, deposits and rent, will be required before issuing keys. The HA associate will review the lease, addendums, and rules of the property with you.
A tenant family in the Public Housing Program is like any other renter except that the Housing Authority is the landlord. The tenant must pay rent on time, keep the property clean and undamaged and not break any of the conditions of the lease. Also, if a family member is in possession or sells illegal drugs or engages in any violent crime, then the family will lose its housing assistance.
Families will have the option to choose between income-based rent (based on a percentage of their adjusted gross income, which would adjust with changes in the family's income) or "flat rent" (paying an amount comparable to the rent of other units in their vicinity.) Families can go switch between income-based and Flat Rent only at move in or at recertification except in cases of financial hardship. Families that fail to report income increases can be terminated from public housing. If it is determined that a family purposely failed to report correct income information; the PHA can file fraud charges.
You may continue to live in a Low Rent unit as long as you meet the following conditions:
- You do not break any of the program rule
- You do not owe the Housing Authority money for back rent or damages.
All families are responsible for reporting income and household composition changes in a timely manner, within 10 days of the change. If any change results in an increase in rent and the change is not reported, the Housing Authority will charge rent retroactively. If the family has chosen the "flat-rent" option, more income would not affect their rent. If the family has chosen the "income-based" rent option, their rent would go up if the family's income increases.
As long as you live in a Public Housing unit, you are responsible for keeping the premises clean and safe; paying reasonable charges for damages caused by the household or guests; paying the rent on time; and living in a manner that does not disturb the neighbors' peaceful enjoyment of their home. In other words, like any other person who rents property, you must follow the rules of the lease and the rules of the Public Housing Program. To live in public housing is a privilege. Tenants must comply with all rules and regulations. Tenants that do not comply with program regulations will be terminated from Public Housing Program.
Your wait time is strictly based on housing availability, according to your family size. You will be contacted in the order that you applied, according to date/time and according to your family size.
You must notify the Housing Authority of any change of address or in change of family composition, preferably in writing. If you do not notify the Housing Authority of a change of address and any correspondence sent to you is returned, or if you do not respond to a scheduled appointment or any request for additional information, you will be removed from the waiting list and you will need to reapply.
It is required that Social Security cards are submitted for everyone in your household, if they have a Social Security number. If any family member does not have a Social Security number, they must submit a signed certification that they have no number. If you cannot find your card or you've never had a Social Security number, we will accept copies of documents that show your proof of eligible immigration status.
It is required that photo I.D.'s are submitted for everyone in your household over the age of 18.
It is required that either birth certificates or passports be submitted for everyone in your household.
Application & Eligibility
30% Limits
- 1 person $15,400
- 2 persons $17,600
- 3 persons $19,800
- 4 persons $21,950
- 5 persons $23,750
- 6 persons $25,500
- 7 persons $27,250
- 8 persons $29,000
Very Low Income
- 1 person $25,650
- 2 persons $29,300
- 3 persons $32,950
- 4 persons $36,600
- 5 persons $39,500
- 6 persons $42,500
- 7 persons $45,400
- 8 persons $48,350
60% Limits
- 1 person $30,780
- 2 persons $35,160
- 3 persons $39,540
- 4 persons $43,920
- 5 persons $47,460
- 6 persons $51,000
- 7 persons $54,480
- 8 persons $58,020
Low Income
- 1 person $41,000
- 2 persons $46,850
- 3 persons $52,700
- 4 persons $58,550
- 5 persons $63,250
- 6 persons $67,950
- 7 persons $72,650
- 8 persons $77,300
Maintenance
After-Hours Emergency Maintenance
Emergency Maintenance Includes
- Fire, Call 911
- Loss of power
- Broken water lines
- Exposed electrical lines
- No heat, outside temperature has to be below 50 degrees
- Broken door locks or broken windows
Major plumbing backups and/or conditions that might cause harm to the tenant and/or damage to property (includes overflowing toilet and other exposure to raw sewage)
Maintenance problems must be reported immediately. You must not make any repairs. You will be required to pay for damages to your apartment caused by any member of your family or guests.
No Smoking Policy
Due to the increased risk of fire, increased maintenance costs and the known health effects of secondhand smoke, effective July 1, 2018, smoking is prohibited in all dwelling units and all common areas. To prevent secondhand smoke from entering open windows or doors, this smoke-free policy also extends to all outdoor areas within 25 feet of VHA dwelling units and administrative buildings. Residents are responsible for ensuring that family members and guests comply with this rule.
Scope: This policy applies to any and all persons entering Victoria Housing Authority (VHA) properties including VHA residents, and their guests and visitors, VHA contractors, and VHA employees.
Policy
- Smoking will not be permitted in apartments, community rooms, office buildings, maintenance facilities, or any Housing Authority vehicles.
- The term "smoking" means inhaling, exhaling, burning or carrying any lighted or heated cigar, pipe, cigarette, hookah or any other lighted smoking equipment." Smoking also includes the use of an electronic delivery device, which creates an aerosol or a vapor (vaping), in any manner or in any form.
- "Electronic Delivery Device (EDD)" means an electronic device activated when one draws on the mouthpiece and which, when activated, emits a solution producing an aerosol or a vapor that may be inhaled or absorbed by the user. EDDs include but are not limited to, E-cigarettes, E-cigars, E-pipes, vape pens, and E-hookahs.
- Smoking is only permitted in areas outside of the building(s). Smoking shall not be permitted anywhere that is within 25 feet of any exterior doors or windows. Residents are encouraged to refrain from smoking anywhere children are present.
- The Authority shall inform current residents, applicants, on waiting lists, VHA employees, and VHA contractors and sub-contractors of this policy, all of whom are also responsible for following this policy.
- All smoking residents and guests are required to dispose of their smoking materials in appropriate collection receptacles. Receptacles will be provided by VHA.
- VHA management and maintenance employees will be responsible for the enforcement of this policy.
- Resident understands and accepts that VHA's adoption of a Smoke-Free Policy, and efforts to enforce such policy, do not constitute representation or guarantee by the Housing Authority any direct or consequential benefits to the Resident's health or well-being. VHA shall take reasonable steps to enforce the Smoke-Free Policy. VHA shall address violations of the policy upon VHA's actual knowledge of the violation and the identity of the responsible Resident.
- VHA cannot and does not warrant or promise that the property will be free from second-hand smoke. VHA's ability to control, monitor, or enforce this Addendum is dependent in significant part on voluntary compliance by Residents and Resident's guests.
- All Residents will be given two (2) copies of the smoking policy. After review, the resident will sign both copies and return one to the VHA office. The copy will be placed in the resident file.
Resident Responsibility
- It shall be the Resident's responsibility to inform his/her household members and guest of this Smoke-Free Policy.
- The Resident shall prohibit smoking by his/her household members or guests while on the premises that would violate this Policy.
- Failure to comply, or upon repeated violations to this Addendum may be cause for lease enforcement action up to and including termination of the lease agreement.
Resident Violations
- First Violation: A Resident caught smoking inside the dwelling unit or in a common area or evidence of smoking in the dwelling unit will result in a $100.00 fine.
- Second Violation: A Resident caught smoking inside the dwelling unit or in a common area or evidence of smoking in the dwelling unit or a common area will result in a $150.00 fine and warning of future eviction for the next offense.
- Third Violation: Eviction plus a restoration fee equivalent to the cost to effectively restore the unit to a smoke-free condition.
Resident Guest Violations
- First Violation: Warning to Resident
- Second Violation: $25.00 fine to Resident
- Third Violation: $50.00 fine to Resident
- Fourth Violation: $100.00 fine to Resident
Restoration of Status: After 12 consecutive months of no infractions (including by Resident and any Resident guests) the level of violation will revert to zero. (i.e., if a Resident has incurred 2 violations and Resident's guest has 3 violations, if there are no further violations for 12 months following the last violation, the next violation will be the first violation).