Housing
Authority
2010 SE California
Topeka, Kansas 66607
Phone (785) 357-8842 ~ Fax (785) 357-2648
How do I know if I am eligible?
Standards for eligibility are established by HUD guidelines and by THA's Admission and Continued Occupancy Plan (ACOP). These standards include income eligibility, criminal history, rental history and whether a person qualifies for a "preference." Completed applications are only received on Mondays between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm . This establishes a family's place on the Public Housing Waiting List for the size of unit for which a family qualifies. As units become available, names are pulled from the top of the list for the size of unit available.
(back to top)
When names are pulled from the list, applicants are screened for eligibility. This includes verifying income, checking family rental history and a background check on all adult members of the family to determine whether they have any drug related or violence related arrests or convictions.
The following Chart shows the Income Eligibility limits for 2005:
(back to top)
No. of Persons |
Income Ceiling for Public Housing |
Income Ceiling for Section 8 Housing |
1 |
$33,150 |
$20,700 |
2 |
$37,900 |
$23,700 |
3 |
$42,600 |
$26,650 |
4 |
$47,350 |
$29,600 |
5 |
$51,150 |
$31,950 |
6 |
$54,950 |
$34,350 |
7 |
$58,750 |
$36,700 |
8 |
$62,500 |
$39,050 |
What does it mean to claim a "preference?"
The Topeka Housing Authority has a preference for working families. Elderly and/or disabled families are also included in this preference. To qualify the Head of Household and/or the spouse must either be working, elderly or disabled. Those families that qualify for a preference will be placed on the Section 8 waiting list ahead of those who do not qualify for the preference.
(back to top)
Must I work a minimum number of hours to qualify for the working preference?
No. Working is defined as any job for which you are receiving wages. You must, however, be working on a regular basis. Working a day or two occasionally would not qualify.
(back to top)
Who is eligible for the elderly and/or disabled status?
Elderly status is given to the Head of Household and/or spouse who is 62 years old or more. Disabled status would be given to the Head of Household and/or spouse who is receiving SSI or SSDI for a disability or has been certified by a doctor as disabled according to the federal definition of disabled.
(back to top)
How is the waiting list determined?
After preference is considered, applicants will be ranked according to the date and time they applied. Head of Household and/or spouse who are working, elderly and disabled all carry the same weight in determining a preference.
(back to top)
How long is the waiting list?
The length of time an applicant waits depends on the number of vouchers available. Vouchers only become available as current Section 8 participants leave the program. Since applicants claiming a preference will always be considered first, an applicant who is unable to claim a preference could wait indefinitely.
(back to top)
Can I change my preference if my circumstances change?
Yes. If your family situation changes, your ability to qualify for a preference may also change. Fill our a "Change of Preference" form when this happens.
(back to top)
How can I find out what number I am on the waiting list?
Waiting list position information is available on Fridays from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. by calling 357-8842 , ext. 400. Approximate waiting length times are also available at this time.
(back to top)
What should I do if I move?
Everyone that is on the Public Housing or Section 8 waiting list must provide a change of address within 10 business days. A
separate change of address must be provide for EACH program list. That is, if a person is on both Public Housing and Section 8 waiting lists, they must provide their new address to both programs. All mail sent by the Topeka Housing Authority is stamped "Return Service Requested." This means the Post Office will not forward this mail, even if a forwarding request has been completed with the Post Office! If a person fails to change their address in writing with THA, and a letter that is sent to them at the
address they provided, they could be dropped from that program's Waiting List. Address change forms are available at the THA Administrative Office.
(back to top)
What happens if I claim a preference that I don't really qualify for?
All preferences will be verified. Falsely claiming a preference will cause your application for assistance to be denied.
(back to top)
How many bedrooms will I be able to have?
According to THA guidelines, there should be no more than two persons per room. Guidelines also are that a child that is two or under can share a room with a parent, and children of different sex can share a room until one reaches age five.
(back to top)
How does THA conduct Background checks?
THA uses a variety of resources to complete background checks. This includes using Topeka Police Department resources, the Shawnee County Court website, websites from other states and communities as well as various commercial companies that have resources to identify criminal history of applicants. Applicants that fail to provide accurate information are automatically denied.
(back to top)
How does THA verify income?
THA contacts the employers identified on the application and requests that income be verified. THA also contacts other governmental agencies like SRS and Social Security to identify sources of income that they have access to. Most recently, HUD has developed a resource that cross-checks residents of Public and Section 8 housing with all sources that report income to the US government. Since this new source became available in early 2005, a significant number of people in Public Housing or on Section 8 have been discovered to have more income than reported. This constitutes fraud. Residents are required to repay the rent portion on unreported income. In some cases, residents have been prosecuted for Fraud. Applicants that fail to provide accurate information are automatically denied.
(back to top)
What is the Difference between Public and Section 8 housing?
Public Housing refers to the 662 units of assisted housing that THA owns and manages on seven sites. Section 8 housing refers to a HUD program where income eligible families find their own housing and are assisted with their rental payments. (Rent is based on resident paying approximately 30% of the family income for rent, and THA paying the remainder).
Public Housing and Section 8 are two separate and distinct programs.
(back to top)
How do I apply for Public Housing & Section 8 Housing?
Public Housing and Section 8 Housing are two completely separate programs of THA, including separate staff to run them. Therefore each program must be applied to separately. If you find you need to modify the application of one program (such as a change of address) you will also need to make the same modification with the other program also, if you have applied to both.
Public Housing applications are received every Monday between 8:00 AM and 4:30 PM . To learn more details about Public Housing and how to apply, (click here). You will also be able to print a copy of the Public Housing Application and the Supplimental Application from this location as well as other details about the application process. The waiting list for Public Housing is much shorter than Section 8 and in most cases a qualified family can get into Public Housing within a few months.
Section 8 Housing is much more difficult to get into. The waiting list is now over 2,000 and no new vouchers have been issued during 2005. To learn more about Section 8 and to print a copy of the Preliminary Application (click here).
Where am I on the Waiting List?
A person can learn where they are on the Public Housing and Section 8 Housing waiting lists in two ways. On Friday mornings, from 8:00 AM till 4:30 PM you can call THA’s main number (785-357-8842 ext. 400) and check with the Customer Service Assistant. This person will look up your name and report your position on the list. Or you can send an e-mail to the Public Housing Program (Click here) or the Section 8 Program (Click here) at any time to request information regarding your status on the list. These e-mail requests will be processed as time permits throughout the week.
How do I report a Change of Address?
A change of address must always be in writing! A separate change of address must be made for each program a person is registered with. A person can complete a change of address in two different ways. One is to come to the THA Administrative Office at 2010 SE California during normal business hours and complete the form or forms in person. This form will be time/date stamped and a copy returned to the person to keep in their file as confirmation that they made the change. The second way is to send an E-mail to each of the programs and provide the new address. The e-mail will then be “replied to,” confirming that it was received. This “reply” E-mail is your confirmation and date that it was received. You should keep a copy for your records. Click on the highlighted words to send an E-mail to the Public Housing Program and/or Section 8 Program.
Who do I talk to about a problem?
There are a number of ways that a Public Housing resident or Section 8 participant can have a problem addressed.
If it is a criminal issue, please call the Topeka Police Department (368-9551 ). If someone on the Bar and Ban list is on THA property, you re urged to also call the Topeka Police Department and report it.
If it is a problem with something not working properly in your Public Housing unit, call the THA Work Order desk: 357-8842 , ext. 455. If no one answers, leave a detailed message of the problem and give permission for THA to come in and correct the problem if you are not at home when they come.
If you have an emergency problem with your unit after normal business hours and it cannot wait until the following business day (like water overflowing) call the main THA number (357-8842 ) and listen carefully, following the directions of how to reach the after-hours “on-call” desk.
If you are having a problem with another resident of Public Housing, you should speak with the person directly to try and resolve the conflict. If that does not work you can call Kelli Gullick, Resident Services Assistant (357-8842, ext. 467.) If you do not reach her in person, please leave a detailed message of the problem and how you can be reached.
If you have a problem with one of THA’s staff, you can call the main THA number (357-8842 ) and ask to speak to that person’s supervisor. If you don’t reach the person directly, be sure and leave a detailed message of the problem and how you can be reached.
What is the Bar and Ban List? Who's on it?
The Bar and Ban List is a list of people that THA has identified as people that they do not want on its property. At the time the person is placed on the list, an effort is made to notify the person that they have been placed on the list through a letter at their last know address and by notifying Public Housing residents that THA knows has associated with the person in the past. If the person shows up on any THA property after being placed on the Bar and Ban List, this person is trespassing and is subject to arrest. If you see someone on THA property that is on the Bar and Ban list, you should call the Topeka Police Department (368-9551 ) and report it. The Bar and Ban list is published each month in the THA Public Housing Newsletter. You can also
click here to review the Bar and Ban List.
How does THA track its Success and Improvement Efforts?
In 1999 THA was declared a “Troubled Agency” by HUD. At that time the City of Topeka brought in new management staff to assist in addressing the issues identified by HUD. In 2000 THA’s operations were separated from the City of Topeka . Under this new management model, THA has made steady progress in improving the operation of Topeka Housing Authority. In recent years THA has been designated a “High Performing Agency” by HUD based on HUD inspections and scores for Public Housing Authorities. 2004 THA received a 99% rating on its Section 8 program and a 96% rating on its Public Housing program.
During the past six years, THA has used a variety of tools to track its improvement efforts. Some of the areas it tracks are based on what HUD has identified as important. THA has identified additional areas that it wants to track as it continues to improve the quality of its work. Click here to view a chart of THA’s most recent internal report on how it is doing in its improvement efforts.
How do I report suspected Fraud?
When residents provide false information to qualify for Public Housing or Section 8 housing or when participants in the program fail to report all sources of income, this is considered FRAUD. Unreported income, unreported criminal history, and incomplete rental history are the areas when false information is most often received. HUD’s Office of the Inspector General has been vigorously pursuing fraud in recent years. There are several ways that Fraud can be reported. You can contact the HUD Hotline (1-888-476-1229), or HUD’s Office of Inspector General hotline (1-800-347-3735). You can also call any member of THA’s Administration staff or any Public Housing or Section 8 staff (357-8842 ) or you can e-mail THA about fraud at fraud@tha.gov.
| © 2005 Topeka Housing Authority. Site designed by The Web's Edge. |