Frequently Asked Questions

FAQ: Introduction

Welcome to the FAQs section of the Region VI Housing Authority (R6HA) Web site. This section is intended for your convenience, so if you have a question not listed among these FAQs, please e-mail your question to R6HA at info@R6HA.org. We will respond as quickly as possible.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

What is public housing and am I eligible?

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-site, single-family houses to high-rise apartments for the elderly. Across the country, there are approximately 1.3 million households living in public housing, and some 4,000 housing authorities manage public the nation's public housing. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers federal aid to local housing authorities.

Public housing is available solely to low-income families and individuals. Region VI Housing Authority (R6HA) determines whether you are eligible based on (1) annual gross income; (2) whether you qualify as elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family; and (3) U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status. If you are eligible, the authority checks your references to make sure you and your family will be good tenants.

The authority denies admission to any applicant whose habits and practices may be expected to have a detrimental effect on other tenants or on the environment of the housing community. The authority uses income limits developed by HUD, which sets lower income limits at 80 percent and very low-income limits at 50 percent of the median income for the county in which you choose to live. Income limits vary from area to area so you may be eligible at one housing authority but not at another.HOW DO I APPLY?
If you are interested in applying for public housing, contact the Authority at (505) 622-0881, visit R6HA offices at 106 E. Reed Street, Roswell, NM 88202, or click HERE to print out a complete application to mail or bring into our office. EXPLAIN THE APPLICATION PROCESS.
The application must be written. The Authority will collect the following information to determine eligibility:
1. Names of all persons who would be living in the unit, their sex, date of birth, and relationship to the family head.
2. Your present address and telephone number.
3. Family characteristics (e.g. veteran) or circumstances (e.g. living in substandard housing) that might qualify the family for tenant selection preferences.
4. Names and addresses of your current and previous landlords for information about your family's suitability as a tenant.
5. An estimate of your family's anticipated income for the next 12 months and the sources of that income.
6. The names and addresses of employers, banks and any other information the Authority will need to verify your income and deductions, and to verify the family composition.
7. The Authority may also visit you in your home to interview you and your family members to see how you manage the upkeep of your current home.
After obtaining this information, the Authority representative will describe the public housing program and its requirements, and answer any questions you might have.Top

WILL I NEED TO PRODUCE ANY DOCUMENTATION?
Yes, the Authority representative will request whatever documentation is needed (e.g. birth certificates, tax returns) to verify information given on your application. R6HA will also rely on direct verification from your employer, etc. You will be asked to sign a form to authorize release of pertinent information to the Authority.
WHEN WILL I BE NOTIFIED?
The Authority has to provide written notification. If R6HA determines that you are eligible, your name will be put on a waiting list, unless the Authority is able to assist you immediately. Once your name is reached on the waiting list, the Authority will contact you. If it is determined that you are ineligible, R6HA must say why and if you wish, you can request an informal hearing.WILL I HAVE TO SIGN A LEASE?
If you are offered a house or apartment and accept it, you will have to sign a lease with the Authority. You will have to give the Authority a security deposit. You and the Authority representative will go over the lease together. This will give you a better understanding of your responsibilities as a tenant and the Authority's responsibilities as a landlord.ARE THERE ANY SELECTION PREFERENCES?
Giving preference to specific groups of families enables the Authority to direct limited housing resources to the families with the greatest housing needs. (See application.)

Top The Authority has the discretion to establish preferences to reflect needs in its own community. These preferences are included in the Authority written policy manual and are stated on the pre-application.HOW IS RENT DETERMINED?
Your rent, which is referred to as the Total Tenant Payment (TTP) in this program, would be based on your family's anticipated gross annual income less deductions, if any. HUD regulations allow the Authority to exclude from annual income the following allowances: $480 for each dependent; $400 for any elderly family, or a person with a disability; and some medical deductions for families headed by an elderly person or a person with disabilities. Based on your application the Authority representative will determine if any of the allowable deductions should be subtracted from your annual income. Annual income is the anticipated total income from all sources received from the family head and spouse, and each additional member of the family 18 years of age or older.

The formula used in determining the TTP is the highest of the following, rounded to the nearest dollar:
1. 30% of the monthly adjusted income. (Monthly adjusted income is annual income less deductions allowed by the regulations).
2. 10% of monthly income.
3. A $50 minimum rent or higher amount set by the Authority.
WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE AUTHORITY?
The Authority is responsible for the management and operations of its local public housing program. The Authority also operates other types of housing programs.
1. On-going functions: (a) Assure compliance with leases. The lease must be signed by both parties; (b) Set other charges (e.g., security deposit, damages to unit); (c) Perform periodic reexaminations of the family's income at least once every 12 months; (d) Transfer families from one unit to another, in order to correct over/under crowding, repair or renovate a dwelling, or because of a resident's request to be transferred; (e) Terminate leases when necessary; and (f) maintain the development in a decent, safe and sanitary condition.
2. The Authority also provides other services such as: home ownership opportunities for qualified families; employment training opportunities, and other special training and employment programs for residents; and support programs for the elderly.

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HOW LONG CAN I STAY IN PUBLIC HOUSING?
In general, you may stay in public housing as long as you comply with the lease.

If at reexamination, your family's income is sufficient to obtain housing on the private market, the Authority determines whether your family should stay in public housing. You will not be required to move unless there is affordable housing available for you on the private market.

It is the policy of Region VI Housing Authority to provide services without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, family status, physical handicap or disability.