Housing Authorities typically have several types of housing developments and dwelling unit sizes. Admission requirements for these may be different. The following outlines requirements for general occupancy developments, developments for the elderly, and units designed for the disabled.
A. General Occupancy Developments
1. The PHA will not give elderly families or non-elderly families a preference over single applicants for admission to general occupancy developments.
2. An elderly family that wants to, or needs to, be admitted to a general occupancy development must be considered on the same basis as any other family.
3. If units of appropriate sizes are available in both a general occupancy development and a development for the elderly, elderly families with children or young disabled family members may choose to be housed in the general occupancy development.
For example, the general occupancy development might have other children, a playground, etc.
B. Mixed Population Developments 1. Preference for Elderly Families
Unless the PHA has obtained HUD approval to designate certain developments or portions of developments for the elderly and/or disabled, the PHA may not limit occupancy of certain units to those groups. If a non-elderly, non-disabled applicant is next on the waiting list and the unit available is located in a development originally built for elderly/disabled but not designated, the PHA must offer that unit to the applicant, even if the family includes children, as long as the composition and size of the family meets the PHA’s occupancy standards.
Elderly and non-elderly disabled may receive preference over non-elderly families in mixed population developments.
Elderly and non-elderly disabled families will not receive preference in general occupancy developments.
2. Selection Preference for Mixed Population Developments
a. The PHA is required to give preference to elderly families and disabled families equally in determining priority for admission to mixed population developments. No limit will be established on the number of elderly or disabled families who may be accepted for occupancy in such developments.
b. When offering units in mixed population developments, the PHA will first offer units with accessible features to persons with disabilities who require the accessibility features of the unit.
3. Discretionary Preference for Near Elderly Families in Mixed Population Developments
A near elderly person(s) is at least 50 years of age but below the age of 62; or two or more persons, who are at least 50 years of age but below the age of 62, living together; or one or more persons, who are at least 50 years of age but below the age of 62, living with one or more live-in aides.
a. In no event will the PHA admit a near elderly family to a development for elderly families if there are eligible elderly families on the PHA’s waiting list that would be willing to accept an offer of a suitable vacant unit in a mixed population development.
b. When the PHA determines that there are not enough elderly families to fill all of the units that are currently vacant or expected to become vacant within the next twelve (12) months, the PHA will give near elderly families a preference for admission to mixed population developments.
c. Before electing to give near elderly families such a preference, however, the PHA will conduct outreach to attract eligible elderly families, including:
(1) Those groups that historically have been the least likely to apply; and (2) Where appropriate, elderly families residing in general occupancy
developments.
d. If the PHA elects to give near elderly families a preference for admission to a mixed population development, the PHA will apply the preference when it selects applicants for admission from among near elderly families.
4. Discretionary Preference for Near Elderly Single Persons in Mixed Population Developments
If a near elderly applicant is a single person, as that term is defined in HUD regulations, the near elderly single person is given a preference for admission over other single persons to mixed population developments.
5. The PHA will not set a minimum age (such as 50 or 55) for the admission of persons who are disabled to mixed population developments.
6. The PHA will not exclude families with children from mixed population developments, provided such developments have dwelling units of the appropriate sizes for such families.
C. Units Designed for the Disabled
1. Without incurring vacancies, the PHA will make every reasonable effort to provide dwelling units that are specially designed for families with physically disabled members who require such units.
2. The PHA may provide a dwelling unit designed for the disabled to a family that includes a mobility impaired person (such as a child or a grandparent who uses a wheelchair) even though the family head or spouse is not disabled.
3. When there are not enough disabled applicants to fill units especially designed for such persons, non-disabled applicants may be offered such units. However, it must be made clear to the family that when another unit becomes available which meets the family’s needs, they will be required to move if the accessible unit is needed for a family with a member who has a disability. The lease agreement will be modified to reflect this requirement.
4. Should there be a disabled applicant or resident needing a unit with special features, that applicant/resident will be offered the unit prior to transferring a family or individual who is over-housed or under-housed.
D. Designated Housing
The PHA will give priority for occupancy of the designated housing development units to designated families.
1. If there are an insufficient number of elderly families to fully occupy the units in the designated development, the PHA may make units available to near elderly families, who qualify for preference.
2. If there are an insufficient number of elderly and near elderly families to fully occupy the units in the designated development, the PHA shall make available to all other families any dwelling unit that is:
a. Ready for re-rental and for a new lease to take effect; and b. Vacant for more than sixty (60) consecutive days.
3. If any disabled family or elderly family chooses not to occupy or accept occupancy in a designated development there will be no adverse affect on:
a. The family’s admission to or continued occupancy in public housing; or b. The family’s position on or placement on a public housing waiting list.
E. See Appendix C for Development Units.