Before an applicant is actually given a Voucher and related leasing papers, their eligibility to participate in the Housing Choice Voucher Program must be determined. Eligibility criteria include: Citizenship, Income Requirements, Background Checks, Disability/Handicapped, Veterans, and/or 62 or older.
CITIZENSHIP
Verification of Citizenship or Eligible Non-citizen Status
The citizenship/ eligible non-citizen status of each family member regardless of age must be determined.
Prior to being admitted, all citizens and nationals will be required to sign a declaration under penalty of perjury. (They will be required to show proof of their status by such means as Social Security card, birth certificate, military ID or military DD 214 Form.)
Prior to being admitted, all eligible non--citizens who are 62 years of age or older will be required to sign a declaration under penalty of perjury. They will also be required to show proof of age.
Upon application, all eligible non-citizens must sign a declaration of their status and a verification consent form and provide their original INS documentation. The St. Cloud Housing & Redevelopment Authority will make a copy of the individual's INS documentation and place the copy in the file. The St. Cloud Housing & Redevelopment Authority also will verify their status through the INS SAVE system. If the INS SAVE system cannot confirm eligibility, the St. Cloud Housing & Redevelopment Authority will mail information to the INS so a manual check can be made of INS records.
Family members who do not claim to be citizens, nationals or eligible non-citizens, or whose status cannot be confirmed, must be listed on a statement of non-eligible members and the list must be signed by the head of the household.
Non-citizen students on student visas, though in the country legally, are not eligible to be admitted to the Section 8 Program.
Any family member who does not choose to declare there status must be listed on the statement of non-eligible members.
If no family member is determined to be eligible under this Section, the family's admission will be denied.
If the St. Cloud Housing & Redevelopment Authority determines that a family member has knowingly permitted an ineligible non-citizen (other than any ineligible non-citizens listed on the lease) to permanently reside in their Section 8 unit, the family’s assistance will be terminated. Such family will not be eligible to be readmitted to Section 8 for a period of 24 months from the date of termination.
CITIZENSHIP/ELIGIBLE IMMIGRANT STATUS
To be eligible each member of the family must be a citizen, national, or a non-citizen who has eligible immigration status under one of the categories set forth in Section 214 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980 (see 42 U.S.C. 1436a(a)).
Family eligibility for assistance: A family shall not be eligible for assistance unless every member of the family residing in the unit is determined to have eligible status, with the exception noted below.
Despite the ineligibility of one or more family members, a mixed family may be eligible for one of three types of assistance. (See Section 11.5 (F) for calculating rents under the non-citizen rule).
A family without any eligible members and receiving assistance on June 19, 1995 may be eligible for temporary deferral of termination of assistance.
Verification of Social Security Numbers
Prior to admission, each family member who has a Social Security Number and who is at least six years of age must provide verification of his or her Social Security Number. New family members at least six years of age must provide this verification prior to being added to the lease. Children in assisted households must provide this verification at the first regular reexamination after turning six.
The best verification of the Social Security Number is the original Social Security card. If the card is not available, the St. Cloud Housing & Redevelopment Authority will accept letters from Social Security that establish and state the number. Documentation from other governmental agencies will also be accepted that establish and state the number. Driver's license, military ID, passports, or other official documents that establish and state the number are also acceptable.
If an individual states that they do not have a Social Security Number they will be required to sign a statement to this effect. The St. Cloud Housing & Redevelopment Authority will not require any individual who does not have a Social Security Number to obtain a Social Security Number.
If a member of an applicant family indicates they have a Social Security Number, but cannot readily verify it, the family cannot be assisted until verification is provided.
If a member of a tenant family indicates they have a Social Security Number, but cannot readily verify it, they shall be asked to certify to this fact and shall up to 60 days to provide the verification. If the individual is at least 62 years of age, they will be given 120 days to provide the verification. If the individual fails to provide the verification within the time allowed, the family will be denied assistance or will have their assistance terminated.
INCOME REQUIREMENTS: The applicant must meet the following annual income limits:
Stearns/Benton County Wright/Sherburne County
Family Size Gross Annual Income Family Size Gross Annual Income
1 $23,450 1 $29,350
2 $26,800 2 $33,550
3 $30,150 3 $37,750
4 $33,500 4 $41,950
5 $36,200 5 $45,300
6 $38,850 6 $48,650
BACKGROUND CHECKS
An applicant will not be given a Voucher if they have a criminal background that is in conflict with program policies. A criminal background check will be conducted at the time the applicant comes to the top of the waiting list.
The following Crime Free Policy is in effect for all HRA administered housing. VIOLATION OF THIS POLICY SHALL BE A MATERIAL VIOLATION AND GOOD CAUSE FOR TERMINATION OF TENANCY, INCLUDING LOSS OFYOUR SECTION 8 VOUCHER.
ZERO TOLERANCE OF VIOLENT AND DRUG RELATED CRIMINAL ACTIVITY
IT IS THE POLICY OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY THAT VIOLENT AND DRUG-RELATED CRIME WILL NOT BE TOLERATED IN ANY HOUSING ADMINISTERED BY THE HRA
THIS POLICY REFLECTS A ZERO TOLERANCE OF VIOLENCE AND POSSESSION OF ILLEGAL DRUGS AS OUTLINED BELOW.
In consideration of the execution or renewal of a lease of the dwelling unit identified in the lease, the Owner and Resident agree to the following:
Resident, any members of the resident(s) household or a guest or other person under the resident(s) control shall not engage in illegal activity, including drug-related illegal activity, on or near the said premises. Drug-related illegal activity means the illegal manufacture, sale, distribution, purchase, use or possession with intent to manufacture, sell, distribute, or use of a controlled substance (as defined in Section 102 or the Controlled Substance Act [21 U.S.C. 802]) or possession of drug paraphernalia.
Resident, any member of the resident(s) household or a guest or other person under the resident(s) control shall not engage in any act intended to facilitate illegal activity, including drug-related illegal activity, on or near the said premises.
Resident or members of the household will not permit the dwelling to be used for or to facilitate illegal activity, including drug-related illegal activity, regardless of whether the individual engaging in such activity is a member of the household.
Resident or members of the household will not engage in the manufacture, sale or distribution of illegal drugs at any locations, whether on or near the dwelling unit premises or otherwise.
Resident, any member of the resident(s) household, or a guest or other person under the resident(s) control shall not engage in acts of violence or threats of violence, including, but not limited to, the unlawful discharge of firearms, prostitution, criminal street gang activity, intimidation, or any other breach of the rental agreement that otherwise jeopardizes the health, safety or welfare of the landlord, his agents or Residents.
VIOLATION OF THIS POLICY SHALL BE A MATERIAL VIOLATION AND GOOD CAUSE FOR TERMINATION OF TENANCY, INCLUDING LOSS OF SECTION 8 VOUCHER.
DISABLITY/HANDICAPPED STATUS
Under the Section 8 Voucher Program there is no preference given to an applicant with a disability. They will be placed on the Waiting List in the date order in which they apply like any other applicant.
VETERANS
There is no preference given to veterans under the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program.
62 OR OLDER
Under the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program there is no preference given to an applicant who is aged 62 or older. They will be placed on the waiting list in the date order in which they apply like any other applicant.
