Eligibility Requirements

What Are The Resident Requirements?

When applying for, and keeping public housing, there are many factors that RRHA must consider. Applicants are fully screened before being accepted. And families living in public housing must meet certain requirements in order to stay.

Applicant Screening for Public Housing

The screening process includes, but is not limited to the following:

Applicant Screening for Public Housing

The screening process includes, but is not limited to the following:

Family Responsibilities & Requirements

Log book of information.Families may choose to pay a flat rent or have their rent based on 30 percent of adjusted gross family income minus allowable deductions. Deductions are allowed for:

  1. Elderly families (families where the head, spouse or sole member is 62 years of age).
  2. Dependents (members of the family who have not reached their 18th birthday or who are disabled. It also applies to family members 18 years or older who are full-time students, and have verification from the institution that he/she is attending).
  3. Childcare expenses (This deduction is available only to enable a family member to gain employment or further his or her education).
  4. Medical expenses.
  5. Disability assistance.

Pot and pans on a stove.

Utilities are provided at all developments except Villages at Lincoln where residents pay their own bills. RRHA furnishes the following utilities as reasonably necessary: hot and cold water, gas for cooking, heat, and electricity. Utilities are provided to residents at no charge based on reasonable consumption rates established for each apartment size. Tenants are required to pay for all excess consumption of utilities above the monthly amount allocated for their apartment.

Duster mop being used to clean a hardwood floor.Tenants are responsible for keeping their homes clean and safe at all times. The property must be free from trash, ashes, garbage, rubbish, and other debris.

Volunteer picking up a plastic bottle on a beach.Public housing leaseholders and all other household members who are age 18 to 61 ARE REQUIRED to perform community service if they meet all the following criteria:

  • Are Unemployed
  • Do Not Have A Disability
  • Not Taking Classes or in School
  • Not Involved in a Formal Vocational Program
  • Not a Participant of the Family Self-Sufficiency Program

What is Community Service?

Community service means providing a service to an organization, which serves the community, for no pay. Community service volunteers help in many different ways. Here are some examples:

  • Helping in an organization’s office with filing, phones, mailings, or data entry
  • Helping an organization with bake sales or yard sales
  • Cleaning up parks, public areas, schools
  • Working with children
  • Coaching a team
  • Tutoring
  • Visiting in nursing homes or hospitals
  • Caring for animals at an animal shelter
  • Helping at neighborhood community centers

Community service can be a highly rewarding experience. In addition to helping others, community service provides participants with opportunities to develop their skills and interests and to develop contacts with people who could possibly serve as references when participants look for employment or enroll in educational programs.