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Public Housing FAQ's

HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING?
You cannot sign a legal contract in the state of Alabama unless you are at least 19 years of age.

WHAT IS PUBLIC HOUSING?
Public housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low and moderate income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Public housing comes in all sizes and types, from scattered single family houses to high rise apartments for elderly families. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers Federal aid to local housing agencies that manage the housing for low income residents at rents they can afford.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Public housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. The Housing Authority determines your eligibility based on:
    • Annual gross income
    • Whether you qualify as elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family
    • U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status
    • Criminal History
    • Rental History Based on our screening process, Foley Housing Authority (FHA) will deny admission to any applicant whose habits and
      practices may be expected to have a detrimental effect on other
residents or on the public housing environment.

HOW DO I APPLY?
If you are interested in applying for public housing, contact the Foley Housing Authority at the address or telephone number indicated on the Website.

WHAT IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS?
The application process is listed below (Note: this is only intended as a summary of the process and may not be all-inclusive and is subject to change as we continue to improve our efficiency):
    1) Application - An application is completed and submitted by the applicant in order to be placed on the waiting list.  You should check with a Foley Housing Authority office staff member to confirm if we are currently accepting applictions as the status of the waiting list changes frequently. 
    2) Waiting List - The family is placed on the waiting list in the order in which their application was received, preference or priority (if applicable in current
        policy). 
The application will remain in the "pending" or "received" status until approved or denied.
    3) Interview and verification process - The interview may be conducted at the time the application is submitted or as applicants approach the top of the waiting list, they may be contacted by first class mail to schedule an
        interview to complete
their applicant file. The letter will specify the information/documentation the applicant must bring with them to the
        interview; or if the Applicant was interviewed at the time of the application submittal, they will be informed of what documentation (if any) they  need to provide to complete their application process.  A deadline will be provided for the requested documents.   Applicants who fail to attend their
scheduled interview, neglect to respond to the letter (of scheduled appointment) or fail to provide the requested documents by the deadline will have their applications withdrawn, subject to
        reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. Upon
completion of the interview, the verification process will begin. The FHA will
        verify
all applicable information according to policy. Once all paperwork has been returned and verified, and if the applicant is found eligible,
        the status will change
from pending to eligible. Applicants will then be offered vacancies as they become available.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR ME TO OBTAIN HOUSING?
The time frame varies depending on the number of vacancies we have each month and how many people are applying for housing. The waiting list also varies depending on which bedroom size for which you are qualified. However, you are valued as an applicant and will work diligently to provide you with housing as soon as we are able.

IF I LIVE IN PUBLIC HOUSING, CAN I APPLY FOR SECTION 8?
If the Section 8 Waiting List is open, you may apply.

WHAT IF I OWE MONEY TO A FORMER LANDLORD OR HAVE A CRIMINAL HISTORY, CAN I STILL BE HOUSED?
Every applicant is subject to our screening process that includes, but is not limited to a criminal background check and former tenancy histories. Applicants that owe a housing authority or any other federally subsidized program funds will not be processed for occupancy. The applicant must pay the funds owed prior to the application being processed. After the application is processed, the applicant must meet all other conditions for occupancy. Re-paying funds that are due, do not necessarily qualify an applicant for occupancy.

WHAT IF I NEED EMERGENCY HOUSING?
The Foley Housing Authority cannot provide emergency housing.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PUBLIC HOUSING AND THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM (SECTION 8)?
Public Housing is owned by the Housing Authority and the Authority manages the property it leases. The FHA owns and manages apartments in Foley, Alabama which are leased to low-income people on an income-based rental rate or at a flat rental rate depending on the preference of the resident. This assistance is attached to the public housing unit in which the family resides and is not transferable. The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) is housing that is owned and managed by private landlords who list their property with a housing authority. The housing authority subsidizes part of the resident's rent to the landlord so the housing is affordable for the resident. This assistance is attached to the family rather than the unit.

Housing Choice Voucher Program FAQ's (Section 8)

What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program?
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program provides housing assistance for qualified low-income families in the rental market. Voucher holders are able to select a unit from the private rental market. Program participants pay no more than 30% of their monthly adjusted income towards rent and utilities. The housing assistance payment subsidizes the balance of the rent to the property owner.

How can I become a part of this program?
Eligibility for a HCV voucher is determined by the Foley Housing Authority (FHA) based on the total annual gross income and family size and is limited to U.S. citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status. The family's income may not exceed 50% of the area median income. Median income levels are published by HUD and vary by location. During the application process, the FHA will collect information on family income, assets and family composition. The FHA will verify this information and will use the information to determine program eligibility. If it is determined that your family is eligible, your application status will be upgraded from the pending status to the eligible status. When your name is next on the waiting list, the FHA will contact you and you will be issued a voucher.

When can I apply for the assistance?
When a date is established on when we will accept applications for the section 8 program, the FHA will post an advertisement in the classified section of the On Looker newspaper (for two weeks) which covers the Baldwin County area. We will also have it posted on our bulletin board in our lobby and it will be announced on our telephone greeting which may be heard upon calling our office at your convenience. In addition, we will have it posted on this website. Be sure to check back at your convenience.

Where can I live?
The FHA covers the entire Baldwin County area. Once you are issued a section 8 voucher you may search the private rental market anywhere in Baldwin County for a housing unit that is decent, safe and sanitary according to the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) established by HUD and the FHA.

What happens after I locate a unit?
When you have found a suitable unit and the owner agrees to lease the unity to your family under the housing choice voucher program, the FHA will inspect the unit to assure that meets the Housing Quality Standards (HQS) guidelines. After the unit passes the HQS inspection and the rent has been approved, the landlord and the tenant enter into a lease agreement for an initial term of one year. The FHA and the landlord sign a Housing Assistance Payments Contract (HAP) through which the rent is assisted on your behalf. You will be responsible for the monthly payment of the difference between the total rent and the housing assistance payment.

What if I need to move? Can I continue to receive this assistance?
The Housing Choice Voucher Program is designed to allow families to move without the loss of rental assistance. We realize that a family's housing needs change over time for various reasons such as job locations, changes in family size, etc. Moves are allowed as long as the proper process is followed. Your Section 8 Coordinator will be happy to walk you through the process should this situation arise. You must live in the jurisdiction of the current housing authority for at least 12 months to be eligible to transfer under the "portability" option. A family that wishes to move to another housing authority's jurisdiction must consult with the housing authority that currently administers its rental assistance to verify the procedures for moving. Failure to follow the proper process may result in the family forfeiting their voucher.

If the unit I want to rent is too expensive, can I pay the difference to the landlord on the side?
No. To pay the landlord extra or additional monies on the side is fraud. This would be the landlord committing fraud and the family committing fraud. Both parties would be terminated from the program and may be prosecuted.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS - Direct Deposit (ACH Payments)

How do I arrange for electronic payment deposits with my financial institution?
You must complete the Direct deposit Authorization Form and return by mail to help ensure no disruption in your payments. A copy of a voided check must accompany submission of this Form. We recommend that you contact your financial institution and ask about their policies and procedures for ACH payments and remittance notification.

What are the benefits of Electronic Payments?
It's Easy - Receiving your payments electronically eliminates check handling and manual deposits. The money is credited directly to your account, ready for you to use. There are no additional steps for handling the payment (like mail rooms, the post office, etc.) where checks can be misdirected or lost.

It's Fast - With Electronic Payments, payments go directly to your account.

It's More Secure than Checks - Electronic Payments uses the Automated Clearing Housing ("ACH") network - the same system your bank uses to handle certain transactions with other banks. When electronic payments are credited to your bank account, the funds become immediately available.

When will the Foley Housing Authority (FHA) begin making my electronic payments by direct deposit to my bank account?
We began using the direct deposit method in August of 2009. We have had great success with it. Effective April 1st, 2011 we anticipate utilizing the electronic payments system for all Section 8 Landlords.

How long does the electronic payment direct deposit authorization process take?
Depending on when the Direct Deposit Authorization Form is received by our office, electronic payments may commence as early as the next regular payment cycle.

What information will I receive regarding electronic payments made to me? How will I receive this information?
Electronic payments will be electronically posted to your bank account. You will need to set up your 'User Account' under the 'Landlord' tab.  This will allow you to check direct deposits made into your account at your convenience.  The information will be itemized to reflect the amount deposited for each tenant. In the future we will implement our e-mail based notification system at which time you will be notified by receiving an e-mail.  Therefore, it is important to update us with any changes regarding your e-mail account. 

What do I need to do if I wish to change the bank or account where funds are to be deposited?
If you plan to change the bank or account where funds are deposited, you must complete a new Direct Deposit Authorization Form, allowing 30 days to process the change. It must be completed in the same manner as when payments were initially set up. You are responsible for ensuring that your bank account information is accurate.

What if I don't currently have a bank account or do not want an electronic payment to my bank account?
If you do not have a bank account, you may be interested in requesting information about various account options being made available by your local banking institution.

Can I have more than one Direct Deposit Account?
No, you may only have one account per owner.

How can I get a copy of your current Utility Allowances and Payment Standards?
You can click on the link at the bottom of the Landlord tab.