Low-Income Public Housing

Low-Income 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 single-family houses to high rise apartments for elderly families. There are approximately 970,000 households living in public housing units, managed by some 3,300 HAs. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers Federal aid to local housing agencies (HAs) 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. IHC determines your eligibility 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, IHC will check your references to make sure you and your family will be good residents. IHC will deny admission to any applicant whose habits and practices may be expected to have a detrimental effect on other residents or on IHC properties. IHC use income limits developed by HUD. HUD sets the lower income limits at 80% and very low-income limits at 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which you choose to live. Income limits vary from area to area so you may be eligible at one HA but not at another.

WHAT IS THE ROLE OF THE HOUSING COMMISSION?

Inkster Housing Commission is responsible for the management and operation public housing program. They may also operate 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, excess utility consumption, and 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.

Inkster Housing Commission may provide other services, such as: homeownership opportunities for qualified families; employment training opportunities, and other special training and employment programs for residents; and support programs for the elderly.