It is the policy of the St. Cloud Housing & Redevelopment Authority to comply fully with all Federal, State, and local nondiscrimination laws; the Americans with Disabilities Act; and the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations governing Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.
No person shall, on the ground of race, color, creed, religion, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, disability, age, familial status, sex, or sexual orientation be excluded from participation in, be denied the benefits of, or be otherwise subjected to discrimination under the St. Cloud Housing & Redevelopment Authority housing programs.
To further its commitment to full compliance with applicable Civil Rights laws, the St. Cloud Housing & Redevelopment Authority will provide Federal/State/Local information to applicants for and participants in the Housing Choice Voucher Program regarding discrimination and any recourse available to them if they believe they may be victims of discrimination. Such information will be made available with the application, and all applicable Fair Housing Information and Discrimination Complaint Forms will be made available at the St. Cloud Housing & Redevelopment Authority office. In addition, all written information and advertisements will contain the appropriate Equal Opportunity language and logo.
The St. Cloud Housing & Redevelopment Authority will assist any family that believes they have suffered illegal discrimination by providing to them copies of the housing discrimination form. The St. Cloud Housing & Redevelopment Authority will also assist them in completing the form, if requested, and will provide them with the address of the nearest HUD Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity.
Right to Privacy
All adult members of both applicant and participant households are required to sign HUD Form 9886 Authorization for Release of Information and Privacy Act Notice. The Authorization for Release of Information and Privacy Act Notice states how family information will be released and includes the Federal Privacy Act Statement.
Any request for applicant or participant information will not be released unless there is a signed release of information request from the applicant or participant.
BACKGROUND CHECKS
An applicant will not be given a Housing Choice 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. A 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 OF YOUR SECTION 8 VOUCHER.
VERIFICATION
The St. Cloud Housing & Redevelopment Authority will verify information related to waiting list preferences, eligibility, admission and level of benefits prior to admission. Periodically during occupancy, items related to eligibility and rent determination shall also be reviewed and verified. Income, assets, and expenses will be verified, as well as disability status, need for a live-in aide and other reasonable accommodations, full time student status of family members 18 years of age and older, Social Security numbers, citizenship/eligible non-citizen status. Age and relationship will only be verified in those instances where needed to make a determination of level of assistance.
