Learn more about the HPHA's federal and State public housing programs.
The federal public housing program was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers federal funding to local public housing agencies that manage public housing for low-income residents at rents they can afford. The HPHA manages 5,406 federal public housing units across the state.
Public housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. The HPHA determines eligibility based on annual gross income; whether an applicant qualifies as elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family; and U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status. If you are eligible, the HPHA will check your references to make sure you and your family will be good tenants. The HPHA may deny admission to any applicant whose habits and practices may be expected to have a detrimental effect on other tenants or on a project's living environment.
The HPHA uses income limits developed by HUD. Low-income families are defined by HUD as earning 50% or less of the median income for a given county or metropolitan area. To view the latest HUD-established income limits, click here.
Yes, before a family can move into public housing, they must sign a lease with the HPHA. The HPHA will meet with a family beforehand and go over the lease. This will give the family a better understanding of their responsibilities as a tenant and the HPHA's responsibilities as a landlord.
Rent is based on a family's gross income (i.e., before taxes). The income of all adult family members (i.e., older than 18 years of age) is included in this calculation. Most families pay 30% of their monthly gross income, minus any deductions.
In general, a family may stay in public housing as long as they comply with the lease. If, at reexamination a family's income is sufficient to obtain housing on the private market, the HPHA may redetermine whether your family can remain in public housing.
Yes, federal public housing residents may have a pet as long as they follow the HPHA's pet policy. Residents must request permission from their management office to keep a pet inside of their dwelling unit. Service animals for the elderly and/or disabled are exempt from the pet policy and may be requested as a reasonable accommodation.
The HPHA operates State Family public housing and State Elderly public housing. Both programs operate independently from federal public housing. A total of 864 units are managed with State funds only (i.e., no federal subsidy is received). State Family public housing is available to qualified persons of any age. State Elderly public housing is available to qualified persons aged 62 or older.
Both State programs share many of the same eligibility requirements as federal public housing.
The HPHA uses income limits developed by HUD. Low-income families are defined by HUD as earning 50% or less of the median income for a given county or metropolitan area. To view the latest HUD-established income limits, click here.
No, pets are not allowed in State public housing units. Service animals for the elderly and/or disabled are exempt. State public housing residents must contact their project manager for more information on keeping a service animal in their units.
The HPHA manages over 6,000 dwelling units across 85 federal and State public housing properties. Each property is managed by one of 18 Asset Management Projects.
