General Information
Public housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Public housing comes in all sizes and types, from scattered single family houses to highrise apartments for elderly families. There are approximately 1.2 million households living in public housing units, managed by some 3,300 HAs. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers Federal aid to local housing agencies (HAs) that manage the housing for low-income residents at rents they can afford. HUD furnishes technical and professional assistance in planning, developing and managing these developments.
Schedule of Charges
General Public Housing Maintenance Charges
REVISED SCHEDULE OF RESIDENT MAINTENANCE CHARGES
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2023
Residents will be charged according to the following schedule for those repairs and services which are the resident’s responsibility. It should be noted that the repairs that a resident might incur charges for are items that can be avoided. All charges to the resident will be billed on the basis of the current cost of materials plus the labor rate of $32.91per hour.
The minimum charge for one or more repairs and services made at any given time is $32.91 during normal working hours. Chargeable calls after regular working hours will result in a minimum charge of $98.73 for labor alone. Important: If you call for service after regular hours and the problem resolves itself (example, you call in a lock out but end up being able to get into the unit) and you do not call back to cancel the request for service, you will be charged the overtime rate of $98.73.
This listing for materials, not labor, is not intended to represent the exact cost of any particular item but simply an estimate. All materials will be billed to the resident at the purchase cost.
The following is a list of fixed charges for repairs or services:
|
Repair or Service |
Charge |
|
Lockouts after regular business hours |
$98.73 |
|
Key Replacements- one set of 6 keys for elderly, picked up one set of 6 keys for elderly, delivered one set of 2 keys for family, picked up one set of 2 keys for family, delivered Cancelled key replacement Potomac Towers and Walnut Towers one set of 4 keys for elderly, picked up one set of 4 keys for elderly, delivered Guest Key Cards (up to 2 guest cards) Replacement cards – 1st replacement – no charge Subsequent replacement
|
$17.41 $25.64 $11.29 $19.52 $8.23
$14.35 $22.58 $15.00/each
$30.00
|
|
Door lock changes- inserts only-one insert, labor NOT included each additional insert Cancelled lock change Lock changes include one set of keys for the resident. A minimum of ¼ hour labor ($8.23) will be added to each lock change. Lockset changes will be charged at time plus cost of materials |
$29.96 $18.68 $16.46 |
|
Mowing, snow removal (minimum of one hour charge) |
$32.91 |
|
Unscheduled bulk trash pick-up will result in a minimum charge |
$60.00 |
|
Paint for unit, picked up with at least one-day notification. Paint will not be delivered. |
$22.09/gallon
|
|
Appliance replacement- replacement of an appliance rendered inoperable or unusable due to damage or negligence on the part of the resident will be charged as follows: ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE LESS DEPRECIATION (OVER 7 YEARS) DOWN TO A MINIMUM OF $50.00 PLUS LABOR TO CHANGE THE APPLIANCE |
$50.00/min. plus labor |
|
Pest Control Administrator fee for tenant non-compliance during bedbug treatment services |
$40.00 |
|
Closing of air-conditioning ports (Potomac Towers only)-residents must notify the Maintenance office (301-733-6916) prior to installing an air conditioner. Installation requires a special panel that currently costs the Authority $175.90(actual cost of the panel). This will be billed to the resident upon notification that an air conditioner is to be installed. Consequently, when the resident vacates the apartment (or no longer desires an air conditioner) the new panel required to close the port is already paid for. If Maintenance has to close the port, only actual labor and miscellaneous materials will be billed to the tenant. |
$175.90 |
|
|
|
The following is a list of commonly occurring charges to residents and approximate cost of each. Actual costs (labor and materials) vary depending on the specifics of the damage:
|
Repair or Service |
Charge |
|
Smoke detector |
$29.00 |
|
Smoke /Carbon Monoxide detector |
$53.00 |
|
Handicap smoke detector w/strobe light |
$122.00 |
|
NOTE: Tampering with a smoke detector will result in an additional fee |
$25.00 |
|
Thermostat replacement |
$72.00 |
|
Interior door replacement |
$75.00 |
|
Exterior door replacement |
$588.76 |
|
Patio screen door replacement |
$119.00 |
|
Photocopies of Tenant File paperwork |
$0.50/page |
Some services that are NOT usually a charge to the resident include:
- Dripping sink or tub faucets. “Running” toilet or toilet leaks (not caused by a clog). Water leaks under sinks (not caused by a clog).
- Smoke detector alarming or beeping. Do not remove the smoke detector from the ceiling! Tampering with the smoke detector will result in a $25.00 fee.
Call Maintenance 301-733-6916.
- If it has been five (5) years since the unit was painted, the paint may be obtained from the maintenance office at no charge.
- Slow running drains or drains that can be cleared in less than 15 minutes if not caused by resident. Examples of chargeable clogs are grease, food, foreign objects found in the drain contributing to the clog. Don’t wait until the drain is clogged to call Maintenance.
MAINTENANCE SERVICE AFTER REGULAR WORKING HOURS
Below are some listed guidelines for Maintenance personnel for responding to overtime callouts:
- No heat (temperature in unit is below 65 degrees).
- Possible gas leaks (odor of gas).
- Break in water supply line.
- No electricity causing loss of heat or refrigeration.
- Stoppage in the main line of a sewer.
- Refrigerator or stove not working—only if the entire unit is not functioning for example, if the burners work but the oven does not there will be NO after-hour response.
- Any condition which causes danger to life or property.
Maintenance personnel on stand-by are contacted by the telephone answering service after regular working hours which are 8:00am-4:30pm Monday through Friday—excluding holidays. They are held accountable for responding on overtime to non-emergency work item that could have been delayed until regular hours. For these reasons the caller MUST leave their phone number. The Maintenance mechanic will return the call to obtain details and to determine whether an overtime call is warranted. If the situation changes and you do not need a mechanic, be sure to call the answering service back to cancel your original call. Failure to cancel the call after the mechanic is dispatched will result in a charge to you of $98.73.
CW Brooks Maintenance Charges
REVISED SCHEDULE OF RESIDENT MAINTENANCE CHARGES
C.W. BROOKS
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2023
Residents will be charged according to the following schedule for those repairs and services which are the resident’s responsibility. It should be noted that the repairs that a resident might incur charges for are items that can be avoided. All charges to the resident will be billed on the basis of the current cost of materials plus the labor rate of $32.91 per hour.
The minimum charge for one or more repairs and services made at any given time is $32.91 during normal working hours. Chargeable calls after regular working hours will result in a minimum charge of $98.73 for labor alone. Important: If you call for service after regular hours and the problem resolves itself (example, you call in a lock out but end up being able to get into the unit) and you do not call back to cancel the request for service, you will be charged the overtime rate of $98.73.
This listing for materials, not labor, is not intended to represent the exact cost of any particular will be billed to the resident at the purchase cost.
The following is a list of fixed charges for repairs or services:
|
Repair or Service |
Charge |
|
Lockouts after regular business hours |
$98.73 |
|
Key Replacements- one set of 4 keys for elderly, picked up one set of 4 keys for elderly, delivered one key FOB, picked up Guest key cards (up to 2 guest cards) Replacement cards – 1st replacement no charge Subsequent replacement Cancelled key replacement
|
$14.35 $22.58 $25.00 $15.00/each
$30.00 $8.23 |
|
Door lock changes- inserts only-one insert, labor NOT included each additional insert Cancelled lock change Lock changes include one set of keys for the resident. A minimum of ¼ hour labor ($8.23) will be added to each lock change. Lockset changes will be charged at time plus cost of materials |
$29.96 $18.68 $16.46 |
|
Unscheduled bulk trash pick-up will result in a minimum charge |
$60.00 |
|
Paint for unit, picked up with at least one-day notification. Paint will not be delivered. |
$22.09/gallon
|
|
Appliance replacement- replacement of an appliance rendered inoperable or unusable due to damage or negligence on the part of the resident will be charged as follows: ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE LESS DEPRECIATION (OVER 7 YEARS) DOWN TO A MINIMUM OF $50.00 PLUS LABOR TO CHANGE THE APPLIANCE |
$50.00/min. plus labor |
|
Pest Control Administrator fee for tenant non-compliance during bedbug treatment services |
$40.00 |
|
|
|
The following is a list of commonly occurring charges to residents and approximate cost of each. Actual costs (labor and materials) vary depending on the specifics of the damage:
|
Repair or Service |
Charge |
|
Smoke detector |
$29.00 |
|
Handicap smoke detector w/strobe light |
$124.00 |
|
NOTE: Tampering with a smoke detector will result in an additional fee |
$25.00 |
|
Thermostat replacement |
$77.00 |
|
Interior door replacement |
$64.00 |
|
Entry door replacement |
$350.00 |
|
Patio door replacement |
$150.00 |
|
Photocopies of Tenant File paperwork |
$0.50/page |
Some services that are NOT usually a charge to the resident include:
- Dripping sink or tub faucets.
- “Running” toilet or toilet leaks (not caused by a clog).
- Water leaks under sinks (not caused by a clog).
- Smoke detector alarming or beeping. Do not remove the smoke detector from the ceiling! Tampering with the smoke detector will result in a $25.00 fee.
Call Maintenance 301-733-6916.
- If it has been five (5) years since the unit was painted, the paint may be obtained from the maintenance office at no charge.
- Slow running drains or drains that can be cleared in less than 15 minutes if not caused by resident. Examples of chargeable clogs are grease, food, foreign objects found in the drain contributing to the clog. Don’t wait until the drain is clogged to call Maintenance.
MAINTENANCE SERVICE AFTER REGULAR WORKING HOURS
Below are some listed guidelines for Maintenance personnel for responding to overtime callouts:
- No heat (temperature in unit is below 65 degrees).
- Possible gas leaks (odor of gas).
- Break in water supply line.
- No electricity causing loss of heat or refrigeration.
- Stoppage in the main line of a sewer.
- Refrigerator or stove not working—only if the entire unit is not functioning: for example, if the burners work but the oven does not there will be NO after-hour response.
- Any condition which causes danger to life or property.
Maintenance personnel on stand-by are contacted by the telephone answering service after regular working hours which are 8:00am-4:30 pm Monday through Friday—excluding holidays. They are held accountable for responding on overtime to non-emergency work item that could have been delayed until regular hours. For these reasons the caller MUST leave their phone number. The Maintenance mechanic will return the call to obtain details and to determine whether an overtime call is warranted. If the situation changes and you do not need a mechanic, be sure to call the answering service back to cancel your original call. Failure to cancel the call after the mechanic is dispatched will result in a charge to you of $98.73.
Gateway Crossing Maintenance Charges
REVISED SCHEDULE OF RESIDENT MAINTENANCE CHARGES
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2023
Residents will be charged according to the following schedule for those repairs and services which are the resident’s responsibility. It should be noted that the repairs that a resident might incur charges for are items that can be avoided. All charges to the resident will be billed on the basis of the current cost of materials plus the labor of $32.91 per hour.
The minimum charge for one or more repairs made at any given time is $32.91 during normal working hours. Chargeable calls after regular working hours will result in a minimum charge of $98.73 for labor alone. Important: if you call for service after regular hours and the problem resolves itself (example, you call in a lock out but end up being able to get into the unit) and you do not call back to cancel the request for service, you will be charged the overtime rate of $98.73.
This listing for materials, not labor, is not intended to represent the exact cost of any particular item but simply an estimate. All materials will be billed to the resident at the purchase cost.
The following is a list of fixed charges for repairs or services:
|
Repair or Service |
Charge |
|
Lockouts after regular business hours
|
$98.73 |
|
Key replacements: One set of 2 keys, picked up or delivered |
$12.77 |
|
|
|
|
Cancelled key replacement |
$8.23 |
|
|
|
|
Door lock changes- Inserts only – insert with key, labor not included |
$52.00 |
|
Each additional insert |
$16.05 |
|
Cancelled lock change
Lock changes include one set of keys for the resident. A minimum of ¼ hour labor ($8.23) will be added to each lock change. Lockset changes will be charged at time plus cost of materials. |
$16.46
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Paint for unit |
Actual cost |
||
|
Carpet repair/replacement |
Actual cost |
||
|
Appliance Replacement: |
|
||
|
Replacement of an appliance rendered inoperable or unusable due to damage or negligence on the part of the resident will be charged as follows: |
|
||
|
ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE LESS DEPRECIATION (5% PER YEAR) DOWN TO A MINIMUM OF $50.00 PLUS LABOR TO CHANGE THE APPLIANCE. |
$50.00 PLUS LABOR |
||
|
$40.00 |
||
|
** ALL OTHER RESIDENT REPAIR CHARGES WILL BE ACTUAL MATERIAL COST PLUS LABOR. |
|
The following is a list of commonly occurring charges to residents and the approximate cost of each. Actual costs (labor and materials) vary depending on the specifics of the damage.
|
Repair or Service |
Charge |
|
Smoke Detector |
$31.00 |
|
Smoke/Carbon Monoxide Detector |
$62.00 |
|
Handicapped Smoke Detector with light |
$199.99 |
|
NOTE: Tampering with a smoke detector will result in an additional |
$25.00 fee |
|
Thermostat replacement |
$40.00 |
|
Interior Door replacement 36” Louver |
$252.00 |
|
Interior Door replacement 34” 6 panel |
$74.00 |
|
Exterior Door replacement without trim 36” |
$291.00 |
|
Photocopies of Tenant File Paperwork |
$0.50/page |
Some services that are NOT usually a charge to the resident include:
- Dripping sink or tub faucet
- “Running” toilet or toilet leaks (not caused by a clog)
- Water leaks under sinks (not caused by a clog)
- Smoke detector or smoke/carbon monoxide detector alarming or beeping. (Do not remove from the ceiling! Tampering with the detector will result in a $25.00 fee). Call maintenance 301-733-6916.
- Paint – If it has been five (5) years since the unit was painted, the paint may be obtained from maintenance office at no charge.
- Slow running drains or drains that can be cleared in less than 15 minutes if not caused by resident. Examples of chargeable clogs include grease, food, foreign objects found in the drain contributing to the clog. Do not wait until the drain is clogged to call Maintenance.
MAINTENANCE SERVICE AFTER REGULAR WORKING HOURS
Below are listed some guidelines for Maintenance personnel for overtime callouts:
- No heat (temperature in unit is below 65 degrees)
- Possible gas leak (odor of gas)
- Break in water supply line
- No electricity causing loss of heat or refrigeration
- Stoppage in the main line of a sewer
- Refrigerator or stove not working – only if the entire stove is not functioning; example, if the burners work but the oven does not there will be no after-hours response
- Any condition which causes danger to life or property
Maintenance personnel on stand-by are contacted by the telephone answering service after regular working hours which are 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM Monday through Friday – excluding holidays. They are held accountable for responding on overtime to a non-emergency work item that could have been delayed until regular hours. For these reasons, the caller MUST leave their phone number. The Maintenance Person will return the call to obtain details and to determine whether an overtime call is warranted. If the situation changes and you do not need a Maintenance Person, be sure to call the answering service back to cancel your original call. Failure to cancel the call will result in a charge to you of $98.73.
McCleary Hill Maintenance Charges
REVISED SCHEDULE OF RESIDENT MAINTENANCE CHARGES
MCCLEARY HILL
EFFECTIVE DATE: October 1, 2023
Residents will be charged according to the following schedule for those repairs and services which are the resident’s responsibility. It should be noted that the repairs that a resident might incur charges for are items that can be avoided. All charges to the resident will be billed on the basis of the current cost of materials plus the labor rate of $32.91 per hour.
The minimum charge for one or more repairs and services made at any given time is $32.91 during normal working hours. Chargeable calls after regular working hours will result in a minimum charge of $98.73 for labor alone. Important: If you call for service after regular hours and the problem resolves itself (example, you call in a lock out but end up being able to get into the unit) and you do not call back to cancel the request for service, you will be charged the overtime rate of $98.73.
This listing for materials, not labor, is not intended to represent the exact cost of any particular item but simply an estimate. All materials will be billed to the resident at the purchase cost.
The following is a list of fixed charges for repairs or services:
|
Repair or Service |
Charge |
|
Lockouts after regular business hours
|
$98.73 |
|
Key Replacements- one set of 2 keys for family, picked up one set of 2 keys for family, delivered Cancelled key replacement
|
$14.23 $22.46 $8.23
|
|
Door lock changes- inserts only- labor NOT included Cancelled lock change Lock changes include one set of keys for the resident. A minimum of 1 hour labor ($32.91) will be added to each lock change. Lockset changes will be charged at time plus cost of materials |
$58.80 $16.46 |
|
Snow removal (minimum of one hour charge) |
$32.91 |
|
Unscheduled bulk trash pick-up will result in a minimum charge |
$60.00 |
|
Paint for unit, picked up with at least one-day notification. Paint will not be delivered. |
$21.52/gallon
|
|
Appliance replacement- replacement of an appliance rendered inoperable or unusable due to damage or negligence on the part of the resident will be charged as follows: ORIGINAL PURCHASE PRICE LESS DEPRECIATION (OVER 7 YEARS) DOWN TO A MINIMUM OF $50.00 PLUS LABOR TO CHANGE THE APPLIANCE |
$50.00/min. plus labor |
|
Pest Control Administrator fee for tenant non-compliance during bedbug treatment services |
$40.00 |
The following is a list of commonly occurring charges to residents and approximate cost of each. Actual costs (labor and materials) vary depending on the specifics of the damage:
|
Repair or Service |
Charge |
|
Smoke detector |
$29.00 |
|
Smoke /Carbon Monoxide detector |
$62.00 |
|
Handicap smoke detector w/strobe light |
$122.00 |
|
NOTE: Tampering with a smoke detector will result in an additional fee |
$25.00 |
|
Thermostat replacement |
$108.33 |
|
Interior door replacement |
$75.00 |
|
Exterior door replacement |
$588.76 |
|
Photocopies of Tenant File paperwork |
$0.50/page |
Some services that are NOT usually a charge to the resident include:
- Dripping sink or tub faucets. “Running” toilet or toilet leaks (not caused by a clog). Water leaks under sinks (not caused by a clog).
- Smoke detector alarming or beeping. Do not remove the smoke detector from the ceiling! Tampering with the smoke detector will result in a $25.00 fee.
Call Maintenance 301-733-6916.
- If it has been five (5) years since the unit was painted, the paint may be obtained from the maintenance office at no charge.
- Slow running drains or drains that can be cleared in less than 15 minutes if not caused by resident. Examples of chargeable clogs are grease, food, foreign objects found in the drain contributing to the clog. Don’t wait until the drain is clogged to call Maintenance.
MAINTENANCE SERVICE AFTER REGULAR WORKING HOURS
Below are some listed guidelines for Maintenance personnel for responding to overtime callouts:
- No heat (temperature in unit is below 65 degrees).
- Possible gas leaks (odor of gas).
- Break in water supply line.
- No electricity causing loss of heat or refrigeration.
- Stoppage in the main line of a sewer.
- Refrigerator or stove not working—only if the entire unit is not functioning for example, if the burners work but the oven does not there will be NO after-hour response.
- Any condition which causes danger to life or property.
Maintenance personnel on stand-by are contacted by the telephone answering service after regular working hours which are 8:00am-4:30pm Monday through Friday—excluding holidays. They are held accountable for responding on overtime to non-emergency work item that could have been delayed until regular hours. For these reasons the caller MUST leave their phone number. The Maintenance mechanic will return the call to obtain details and to determine whether an overtime call is warranted. If the situation changes and you do not need a mechanic, be sure to call the answering service back to cancel your original call. Failure to cancel the call after the mechanic is dispatched will result in a charge to you of $98.73.
Lease
A lease is meant to protect both the housing authority and the tenant, by letting each side know their responsibilities and obligations. The lease will include the length of the agreement, the monthly or yearly rental payment, the procedures for collecting rent, as well as the obligations of the tenant while leasing the property.
If the landlord or tenant breaks any term of the lease, the lease is no longer binding. The offending party may be subject to legal action for breach of contract.
The housing authority lease is dived into two parts. Lease Part I identifies the family members who will be leasing the property as well as other information, specific to the individual family, such as the rent and security deposit amount. Lease Part II applies to all public housing families and describes the obligations of both the family as well as the housing authority.
You may review both parts of the lease by clicking the buttons below.
Text Alert Sign-Up
Resident Advisory Boards
The Resident Advisory Board was formed in 1999 to make recommendations for:
- Housing Authority needs
- Use of financial resources
- Eligibility, selection, and admissions policy for Public Housing and Section 8
- Rent determinations
- Home ownership
- Other items that deal with Housing Authority operations
- Serve as a conduit to the residents in their communities as to programs/services from the housing authority.
|
Current Resident Advisory Representatives
|
|
|
Name
|
Community
|
|
Lawrence Maynard |
Noland Village
|
|
Vacant
|
Parkside Homes/Douglass Court |
|
Coleen Henderson
|
Section 8/HCV
|
|
Randy Cooper
|
Walnut Towers
|
|
Vacant
|
Potomac Towers
|
|
Jennifer Colvin
|
Frederick Manor
|
|
Coreen Ketchum
|
CW Brooks
|
|
Vacant
|
Resident Commissioner
|
Find Employment
Find a Job at Hagerstown Housing Authority
Enroll in the Family Self Sufficiency Program
Inspection Information
In order for HHA’s public housing to meet Housing Quality Standards– that is, for all public housing units under HHA’s jurisdiction to be in a condition that ensures the health and safety of all households– HHA must abide by certain rules.
One rule that HHA must abide by is to perform home inspections. All unoccupied units must pass inspection before they can be offered to incoming residents, and all occupied homes must pass inspection in order for the family to continue living there.
This means that if you currently live in Public Housing, your home will be inspected routinely. HHA will inspect your home at a reasonable time, and will give you reasonable notice before your inspection date. Notification of your inspection will come to you through the mail, so make sure to check your mailbox. If your family cannot be home for the scheduled inspection appointment, you must call and reschedule the inspection, or make arrangements to let the Housing Authority enter your home and have access to:
-heating
-electrical facilities
-plumbing facilities
HHA inspectors must have access to these things in order to complete the inspection.
If your family misses the scheduled inspection and fails to reschedule the inspection, HHA will schedule one more inspection.
However, if your family misses both inspections, your family will have violated a Family Obligation, and your housing assistance will be terminated.
If you were instructed to prepare for bedbug treatments, please scroll down to view the bedbug treatment preparation video.
Report a change
You are required to report any changes that may have an effect on your eligibility for housing assistance. These changes include the following:
Increases in Income. The family must report any increase in income or change in family composition in writing within fourteen (14) calendar days. For increases of $25.00 or more per week in gross income, an interim adjustment in rent will be effective the first (1st) day of the third (3rd) month following the effective date of the increase in income. Where a new family member with income is added to an existing household, the rent will increase the first (1st) day of the month following a thirty (30) day notice. The income of Live-in Aides will not be counted for purposes of calculating rent.
Decreases in Income. The family may report a decrease in income. If reporting a decrease, the family must report the decrease in writing by the last day of the month for an interim adjustment to be effective on the first (1st) of the following month.
Addition of an Adult 18 years or older. In order to add a household member, (including live-in aides), the family must request that the new member be added to the Lease. Before adding the new member to the Lease, the individual must complete a Housing Application stating their income, assets, and all other information required of an applicant. The individual must provide their Social Security number, proof of identity, and verify their citizenship/eligible immigrant status. If the individual is found to be ineligible or does not pass the screening criteria, they will be advised in writing and given the opportunity for an informal review. If they are found to be eligible and do pass the screening criteria, their name will be added to the Lease. Live-in aides need not disclose their income and assets. . An additional adult household member may not move into the dwelling Unit until approved as eligible and is added to the Lease.
Addition to Household due to birth, adoption, child custody, or through the Foster Care Program. The family must report any additions to the household due to birth, adoption, child placement or custody, or through the Foster Care Program within fourteen (14) calendar days. Tenant must provide written verification such as a birth certificate, court order, letter from social services or government agency.
Move Out of a Family Member. The family must report if any family member no longer resides in the household within fourteen (14) calendar days. Staff may request written verification of the new address of the persons moving out of the household.
Changes in Family Expenses. The family may report any changes in medical, disability, or childcare expense.
Special Requirements for Temporary Cash Assistance (TCA) Recipients. Rents for recipients of TCA (welfare) benefits may not be lowered for families who are sanctioned by the Department of Social Services for not meeting the certification requirements. Such requirements include fraud, failure to participate in an economic self-sufficiency program, or failure to comply with a work activity requirement or other requirements established by the Department of Social Services. Families are eligible for reduced rent if the reduction is the result of the expiration of a lifetime time limit on receiving benefits or the family has complied with welfare requirements but cannot obtain employment. HHA will obtain written verification from the local Department of Social Services (D.S.S.) or other applicable agency.
You must be registered for our online portal, RentCafe, to electronically report changes to us. Click the button below to register and/or report changes.
Newsletter
Click the button below to read the Family or Senior newsletters for those living in public housing.
Your landlord may have insurance to protect the building you are living in, but your landlord’s policy won’t replace your personal possessions or pay for your living expenses while the building is being repaired.
The only way to protect yourself financially against disasters is to buy a renters insurance policy.
Renters insurance, sometimes referred to as tenants insurance, includes three basic types of protection:
- Personal Possessions
- Liability
- Additional Living Expenses
Personal Possessions
Standard renters insurance protects your personal belongings against damage from fire, smoke, lightning, vandalism, theft, explosion, windstorm, water and other disasters listed in the policy. Floods and earthquakes are generally not covered. Supplemental insurance is available to cover these disasters.
To decide how much insurance to buy, you need to know the value of all your personal possessions—including furniture, clothing, electronics, appliances, kitchen utensils and even towels and bedding. In other words, if your home were to burn, you should have enough insurance to replace all of your possessions.
The easiest way to figure out how much insurance coverage to buy is to create a home inventory (a detailed list of all of your personal possessions, with their estimated value). An up-to-date home inventory will also make filing an insurance claim faster and easier.
Liability
Standard renters insurance policies provide liability protection against lawsuits for bodily injury or property damage that you or your family members cause to other people. It also pays for damage your pets cause. So, for example, if your son, daughter or dog accidentally ruins your neighbor’s expensive rug, you’ll be covered. However, if your children or pets destroy your own rug, you will not be covered.
The liability portion of a renters policy pays for both the cost of defending you in court and for court awards, up to the limit of the policy. Liability limits generally start at about $100,000. You can also buy an Umbrella or Excess Liability policy, which provides higher limits and broader coverage. Generally, umbrella policies cost a bit more.
Your policy may also provide No-fault Medical coverage. So, if a friend or neighbor is injured in your home, you can submit their medical bills directly to your insurance company. It doesn’t, however, pay the medical bills for your own family or your pet.
Additional Living Expenses
Many people don’t know that Additional Living Expenses coverage, also known as ALE, is included in a renters insurance policy. If your home is destroyed by a disaster that your policy covers and you need to live elsewhere, renters insurance covers your additional living expenses. Policies will generally reimburse you the difference between your additional living expenses and your normal living expenses. ALE covers hotel bills, temporary rentals, restaurant meals and other expenses you have incurred while your home is being rebuilt.
There are two types of renters insurance polices:
Actual Cash Value pays to replace your possessions minus an amount for depreciation (the reduction in the value of items due to age and use) up to the limit of your policy.
Replacement Cost pays the actual cost of replacing your possessions (with no deduction for depreciation), up to the limit of your policy. The price of Replacement Cost coverage is about 10 percent more than Actual Cash Value coverage but can be well worth the extra cost.
How to Buy Renters Insurance
Renters insurance is easy to get, and there are many insurance companies to choose from. Insurers who offer homeowners insurance generally also sell renters insurance. In fact, a renters insurance policy and a homeowners insurance policy are almost identical. The main difference is that a renters policy doesn’t include coverage for the building, since the landlord owns that.
Comparison Shop
Prices vary from company to company, so it pays to shop around. Get at least three price quotes. You can call companies directly or get quotes from the Internet.
Get quotes from different types of insurance companies. Some insurers sell through their own agents. These agencies have the same name as the insurance company. Some sell through independent agents, who offer policies from several insurance companies. Others don’t use agents at all but sell directly to consumers over the phone or via the Internet.
But don’t shop by price alone. Select a company that answers your questions and handles claims fairly and efficiently. Ask friends and relatives for their recommendations.
Look for an agent or company representative who takes the time to answer your questions. Remember, you’ll be dealing with this person if you have an accident or other emergency.
Ask Your Insurer How You Can Save Money
These are some ways to save money on premiums: Consider taking a higher deductible (the amount of money you have to pay toward a loss before your insurance company starts to pay a claim). The higher your deductible, the more money you save on your premium. Consider a deductible of at least $500. If you can afford to raise it to $1,000, you may get as much as 25 percent off your premium. Remember, though, that you’ll pay the deductible each time you file a claim.
Insurance companies often offer discounts on renters insurance if you have another policy with them for your car or business. More discounts might be available depending on your age or whether or not you smoke.
Apply for Different Housing
Did you know that as a current resident, you are eligible to apply for a change of housing? A common reason for reapplying is to secure reasonable accommodation housing. Accessible housing will be granted to individuals or families who are requesting a reasonable accommodation for a disability. You may also apply for different housing for other reasons.
If you are reapplying for reasonable accommodation housing, you will have 25 points applied to your application.
To reapply, click the button below.
Utility Allowance
Residents of Parkside Homes, Frederick Manor, and Douglas Court pay basic electric. The city reads individual meters and bills the resident, and the resident pays the utility bill directly to the City. Rent = 30% of monthly adjusted income, minus the utility allowance. Residents of Noland Village pay excess electric to the Housing Authority. The HA receives an electric bill from the city for the entire community. The HA reads the meters monthly and bills resident for the overage.
Click the button below to view the Utility Allowance Schedule for Public Housing.