Latest news with #PublicHousingProgram
CBS News
15-05-2025
- General
- CBS News
Denver Housing Authority opens public housing pre-applications amid soaring demand
Families, seniors, and people with disabilities are encouraged to apply starting Friday for the Public Housing Program. The search for affordable housing continues to be a challenge for many Denver residents, but starting this Friday, the Denver Housing Authority is offering a new opportunity for relief. Beginning May 16, DHA will open its public housing pre-application process, allowing eligible families, seniors, and individuals with disabilities to apply for income-based housing assistance. The Tapiz apartment complex in Denver CBS Outside of the Tapiz apartment complex, 74-year-old Elva Chavez is a familiar and joyful face. "It's a blessing," Chavez said of her apartment, where she's lived for the past 13 years, paying under $800 a month. Her home is part of the DHA's public housing program, which provides "affordable rent tailored to income levels." According to Joshua Crawley, chief operating officer for DHA, more than 10,000 residents currently live in the city's 6,000 affordable housing units. The agency is actively expanding. "We have brought, and will be bringing, three buildings with over 500 units of affordable housing in the Sun Valley neighborhood," Crawley said. "In the last year, we've added two more, totaling over 700 units." Still, he admits that demand far exceeds supply. "It's just a drop in the bucket of what's needed," he said. For Chavez, the program has meant more than just a place to live—it's given her peace of mind. "I just want to live peacefully and affordably," she said. Applications must be submitted online at Denver Housing Authority Additional Information from DHA: In-person data entry assistance will be available Monday through Friday, from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m., at 1401 Mariposa St. in Denver, excluding holidays. Assistance will not be available after the deadline. For help, call 720-932-3021. Eligibility Categories for Public Housing Applications Applicants may apply under the following categories: 1. Family A family with children. A temporary absence of a child placed in foster care (90 days or less) will not affect family size or composition. Proof of guardianship is required. Two or more people sharing a residence, including at least one person age 18 or older, whose income and resources are available to support the household. Individuals must be related by blood, marriage, law, or demonstrate a stable family relationship for at least six months. 2. Disabled Family A family where the head of household, spouse, or sole member is a person with disabilities; or two or more people with disabilities living together; or a person with disabilities living with one or more live-in aides. 3. Non-Elderly Disabled Persons An individual with a disability who is younger than 62. 4. Elderly Family A family where the head, spouse, or sole member is at least 62 years old; or two or more individuals aged 62 or older living together; or one or more individuals aged 62 or older living with one or more live-in aides. 5. Elderly Person An individual who is at least 62 years old. Application Instructions: Only one online submission per household is allowed. Multiple entries will not be accepted. All required fields must be completed; incomplete applications will be rejected. Applicants must provide the Social Security numbers of the head and co-head/spouse, as well as the total household income and income types for all members. After submission, applicants should print and keep the confirmation page and pre-application number for reference. Any address changes must be submitted in writing to: DHA Occupancy & Admissions Department 1401 Mariposa St. Denver, CO 80204 Include your name, Social Security number, pre-application number, and new address. Categories Not Eligible for Pre-Application: Public housing pre-applications are not available for the following: Single Person An individual who lives or intends to live alone and is not elderly, disabled, displaced, or a remaining member of a tenant family. Family Without Children Two or more individuals aged 18 or older sharing a residence, even if related by blood, marriage, or law, or who have lived together for at least six months. Remaining Family Member (DHA Tenant) A remaining family member of a current tenant who does not otherwise meet all DHA eligibility criteria. Displaced Family A person or family displaced by government action or whose home was destroyed or heavily damaged by a federally recognized disaster. Near-Elderly Family A household where the head, spouse, or sole member is between 50 and 61 years old, or a group of individuals in that age range, even if living with a live-in aide.
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Abilene Housing Authority relieved after funding freeze rescinded, but uncertainty remains
ABILENE, Texas () – On Monday, January 30, when President Donald Trump signed an executive order to freeze federal funding, government entities across the country raised concerns, including the Abilene Housing Authority. Trump's spending freeze roils Capitol Hill The organization, which runs two main programs—public housing and rental assistance—was just one week away from a payment due date when the news broke. CEO Gene Reed said that when he reviewed the fine print of the order on Tuesday, he sighed in relief. 'The initial notice that was sent out wasn't very detailed in terms of who was going to be paused and who wasn't going to be paused,' Reed said. 'On one of the questions and answers, it specifically mentioned that rental assistance would not be affected. So, we were glad to hear that late in the day.' White House aide says spending freeze isn't being rescinded despite memo The Public Housing Fund, which supports the office's operations, was frozen until the rescind notice was issued on Wednesday. Reed explained that the fund is crucial to their foundational work, as it helps maintain the building they operate from. 'When we talk about our Public Housing Program, we receive an operating subsidy that helps pay for it. Salaries are like bills, our gas bills, our water bills, and all the other line-item expenses that we have,' Reed explained. This decision comes when the Abilene Housing Authority is seeing a rise in local families in need of assistance. Reed noted that they currently serve more than 1,800 families in the area. 'We've seen our waiting lists grow exponentially since COVID,' Reed said. '[The housing market] is cyclical, but we're still in a time where we're seeing high market rents. It definitely is making it challenging for families that we provide subsidies to actually find units.' Is Abilene losing affordable housing options? Low-income tenants face high wait times for placement Despite the rescind notice, Reed said he remains cautious, waiting for the White House's next move. 'We hope we can rely on and trust this last letter that's come out. We have informed the community to continue to watch our website,' Reed said. 'Obviously, for us, we represent a lot of low-income families here in the community, and obviously, they had a lot of apprehensions when they heard about it.' Click here to learn more about the Abilene Housing Authority. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
