Renter's Tips

Helpful Hints and Tips on Becoming a Successful Participant

Keep your record clean

Any illegal drug use or violent criminal history within the prior 12 months can result in being determined ineligible. Save treatment certificates and obtain letters of recommendation from counselors or others who may attest to your clean and sober lifestyle. If you have an otherwise problematic criminal history, you will need to show you no longer engage in criminal behaviors. Registered sex offenders are never eligible.

Rental History

Work toward repairing any poor rental references from the past. Whether renting from a private landlord on the Section 8 Program, or with HACSA as the landlord for Agency Owned housing, be sure to review your landlord references. Clear up any debts to landlords you have rented from in the past three years.

Money Owing

Make sure you do not owe any money to this or any housing agency from previous program participation.

Documentation

Have copies of social security cards for all family members who will be claiming U.S. citizenship or permanent Resident Alien status. Family members who do not meet this condition may still live in the unit but the subsidy will be prorated. At least one member of the household must meet citizenship status.

Alternate Landlord References

For Agency Owned Housing applicants, if you have less than three years of landlord references, you will need to provide alternative references. These may be from employers, neighbors, teachers, counselors, or anyone not related to you. Also helpful is documentation of making regularly monthly payments for at least one year for such items as insurance, child care, utilities, or storage units.