Federal Low Income Housing Guidelines
Public housing was established to ensure low-income families were given the opportunity to live in safe homes and neighborhoods, regardless of their income status.There are different types of housing for low-income families. Some housing choices include scattered single-family housing, high-rise apartments or housing projects. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development gives out federal funds to help low-income families pay for their housing, as long as they meet the housing guidelines.
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Discrimination Prevention
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A family cannot be denied federal funds for housing because of their national of origin, race, disability, gender or religious beliefs. Each family applying to HUD has an equal housing opportunity and should be taken into consideration for housing as long as eligibility requirements are met. If a family is discriminated against for any of the above reasons, the family should contact the equal housing authority in their county.
References
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HUD housing has the authority to deny a family whose tendencies and behavior can have a detrimental effect on the project grounds or on other tenants and families. This is not considered discrimination. HUD will require a family to submit a list of references, which HUD will verify; HUD will also perform a background check on the families to ensure they will be good tenants.
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Income
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The amount of rent for a low-income family is determined by the family's anticipated gross income, minus any deductions. Under federal low-income housing guidelines, each member of the family or household who is 18 years or older must submit their income along with the head of the household and other annual income sources. Housing agencies allow some deductions to be taken off from the annual income amount when determining the amount of the family's rent, for example, medical deductions for family members with disability.
Considerations
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A family is allowed to stay in a low-income home as long as the family complies with the terms of the lease agreement. However, families must be reviewed or re-examined at different times. During the re-examination, if a family is no longer considered low income and has the funds to obtain a house on the private market, housing agencies may remove the family from public housing. However, the family will not have to move if the private market does not have affordable housing for them.
Fraud Consequences
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Families are required by HUD to report all income, bank accounts or other financial assets that they have. A family that violates HUD policy will not only be evicted from their low-income home, but will face legal consequences. Repaying the entire amount of assistance received for the housing could be one of the legal consequences. This is considered fraud, and HUD guidelines do not tolerate housing fraud.
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