Housing Assistance Guide

Thank you for your interest in the Littleton Housing Authority's rental assistance programs. Please read all of the following information before completing your application.

What is Housing Assistance?

Housing Assistance enables the low-income residents of Littleton to rent affordable, safe, and sanitary housing. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides Littleton Housing Authority (LHA) with Federal funds to administer various housing programs in the community, as discussed below.

How do I apply for housing?

To receive an application for housing with LHA, please call 303-794-9608 or stop by the Administrative Office located at 5745 S. Bannock St., Littleton, CO  80120. Office hours are 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday.

As you complete the application, please fill in all of the blanks. If something does not apply to you, please write the word "none" or "n/a" in the space to show that you read all of the application.

When your fully completed application is received, your name will be placed on the appropriate waiting list(s).  Applications will be checked for completeness and will be returned if the information is incomplete. Screening of the information will begin as your name nears the top of the waiting lists. LHA Admissions and Continued Occupancy Policies and the Section 8 Administrative Plan are available for review in the Administrative Office.

The following information must also be attached to your application when it is returned:

• Birth Certificates for EACH household member; certification of citizenship will be required during the initial certification interview;
• Social Security cards for EACH household member;
• Picture identification for all household members 18 years of age and older.

Applicants are encouraged to apply for all programs. Since all individual situations are different, eligibility will be determined as your name nears the top of the waiting list. We are unable to tell you what programs to apply for.

The Waiting List

Placement on the waiting list is based solely on date and time of application. The following preference may affect your place on the waiting list:

• Head of household or spouse who is elderly (62 years of age or older), or disabled or handicapped.

Please notify the LHA Screening Department to update your application if your information changes. These changes include, but may not be limited to:

• Change in address
• Change in preference
• Change in phone number
• Change in family composition

If you claim an elderly or disabled or handicapped preference, verification will be required when you are called for a unit.

All Littleton Housing Authority programs have waiting lists. LHA is only able to verify that your application has been received and is current on the waiting list. We are unable to provide information as to your place on the waiting list or the wait time for an available unit. You may call 303-991-5305 between 3 and 5 p.m. daily to verify that your application is active on the waiting list.

NOTE: All applicants must successfully pass all phases of the LHA screening process, including criminal background, landlord references, credit checks, and home visits.

How Do I Know If I Qualify For Housing Assistance?

To be eligible to apply for assistance, an applicant must meet the following criteria:

• Meet income eligibility
• Qualify as a family:
• Two or more persons who have a family-type relationship.
• Single individual who is either 62 years of age OR handicapped or disabled.

 Each year, HUD establishes income guidelines for subsidized housing programs. The applicant's income cannot exceed the limits at the time of application and admission. The limits are used to determine eligibility for a particular program. LHA programs may require different income limits, depending on the program. (This is discussed under each program). Generally, most applicants should fall in the 30 percent of area median income (Extremely Low Income [ELI]) or 50 percent of area median income (Very Low Income [VLI]) to be eligible for housing assistance.*

The 2012 income limits are listed below. Depending on the program you are applying for, your income may not exceed the amount listed below.

*Public Housing will accept applicants under the 80 percent or LI (Low Income) level.  John W. Newey and the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program will accept applicants under the 50 percent or VLI level
Note: Geneva Village Senior Housing is not subsidized and does not use income limits for eligibility.

How much rent would I pay?

Each family is required to pay a "fair share" of their income for rent. This "fair share" will typically not exceed 30 percent of your adjusted income or 10 percent of your gross income, which ever is higher. For families with dependent children, childcare costs for children under 13 are deducted from the gross income. Adjustments for anticipated, on-going medical expenses are deducted from households where the head of household or spouse are 62 years of age or older or are handicapped or disabled.

Applicants are required to disclose all assets and income for every person in the household who is 18 years of age or older. Rents are based on the total household income.

What income is used in determining eligibility?

Gross income includes:

• Wages, commissions, overtime pay and tips for all household members 18 years of age and older.
• Social Security, pensions, veteran's benefits, unemployment, disability, and/or workman's compensation benefits.
• Total public assistance payments including, but not limited to, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF), Aid to the Needy and Disabled (AND), Old Age Pension (OAP), etc.
• Interest income from assets, including but not limited to, stocks, bonds, savings, IRA's, certificates of deposits and money markets, rental property, and income from trusts and annuities.
• Child support and alimony.

How long will I have to wait?

The length of your wait will depend on our vacancy rate, the dwelling size available to meet your needs (except in Section 8 Vouchers), whether you claimed a preference, and the response of the applicants above you on the waiting list. Due to these factors, it is difficult to estimate the wait time for a unit. Please respond quickly to any contacts from LHA to ensure that your application and personal information is current.

Update letters are sent out periodically requesting current information from all applicants. If we do not receive a response to our requests by the specified date in the letter, or if your letter is returned as undeliverable, your application will be removed from the waiting list and it will be necessary for you to reapply which will increase your wait time.

It is the responsibility of each applicant to notify LHA and report any changes that occur after an application has been submitted. Please report changes in writing.

When will I know that I am getting close to being offered housing?

When your application nears the top of the waiting list, you will be notified by phone or by letter requesting that you schedule a preliminary occupancy interview. At this interview, you will need to provide verification of the preference claimed on your application, as well as documentation of all income, assets, and medical and/or child care expenses, if applicable.

Applicants may call our main office to verify the status of your application between the hours of 3 and 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.  We are unable to give you information regarding the time before housing will be offered. The number to call is 303-991-5305.

Why would I be denied for housing with LHA?

LHA has an intensive screening process for all applicants.  Criminal background checks are done through, but not limited to, the Colorado Bureau of Investigation (CBI) and/or local or other state jurisdictions. In addition, applicants must provide five years of rental history, including current and past landlord address and phone numbers and dates of residency.  LHA will run a credit report on applicants to insure that no money is owed to previous landlords or housing authorities. Home visits are conducted on all applicants living within 25 miles of our jurisdiction.

If any of the above items are unsatisfactory, the application for housing will be denied. Applicants will have the right to request an informal review of their application and provide additional information upon denial.

Annual Waiting List Update Letters

LHA will send update cards to each applicant verifying their interest in the waiting list and their current circumstances. Failure to return the card will result in your application being removed from the waiting list and you will have to reapply.