www.fresnohousing.org 1331 Fulton Mall, Fresno, California 93721 (559) 443-8400 TTY (800) 735-2929 APPLICATION PROCESS: LOW-INCOME PUBLIC HOUSING HOW TO APPLY To apply for Low Income Public Housing you must apply online only at www.fresnohousing.org and under "Quick Links" click on HCV/LIPH Online Application. APPLICATION INQUIRIES To inquire about your application for Public Housing, you can go online at www.fresnohousing.org and under “Quick Links” click on Applicant Portal. If you have additional questions about your application you can call Monday through Thursday between the hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (closed during the lunch hour). Our telephone number is (559) 445-8956. PRE-APPLICATION An informal, pre-application for public housing, is required to establish an applicant's place on the waiting list. The Fresno Housing Authority maintains separate waiting lists for public housing locations by city. BEING PLACED ON THE WAITING LIST After submitting a pre-application online, the name of the applicant and family members are placed on the waiting list for the locations they have selected. The family's subsequent movement to the top of the list(s) is governed by (1) bedroom size required; and (2) date and time of application along with preferences. REPORTING CHANGES Applicants must report any changes of family status, phone number, address or any other information that may affect the application, online at www.fresnohousing.org and under “Quick Links” click on Applicant Portal. In addition, applicants shall respond to inquiries from the Housing Authorities concerning their continued interest in housing. Applicants who do not respond to the Housing Authorities inquiries or fail to inform the Housing Authorities of a new mailing address shall have their names withdrawn from all public housing waiting lists. FINAL APPLICATION When the applicant's name comes up on the waiting list, they will be contacted by mail and given an appointment or a date to submit initial documents to begin the final application process. Information required for eligibility includes verification of income, assets, Social Security numbers, citizenship; as well as landlord references, credit and criminal background checks. APPLICANT SCREENING Applicants who have been determined to be income and family eligible are screened for suitability in accordance with HUD regulations and sound management practices. To be considered suitable for residency with the Fresno Housing Authority, applicants must demonstrate that they have the ability to pay rent, maintain a rental unit, and live harmoniously with their neighbors, all in accordance with the terms of their lease agreement. • Income. To be eligible for assisted housing, an applicant family must fall within HUD income guidelines. • Rental History. A credit and eviction report is obtained and third party verifications may be requested from present and prior landlords to determine rent payment history, maintenance of property, and the behavior of family members and guests. • Criminal History. The Fresno Housing Authority will conduct criminal background checks using but not limited to FBI finger printing, DOJ Lifetime Sex Offender, and County and Statewide Criminal searches. A family may be denied assistance if the results show evidence which would prohibit admission to public housing. • U.S. Citizenship or Eligible Immigration Status. Section 214 of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1980, titled "The Noncitizen Rule" requires all family members to provide proof of either U.S. Citizenship or Eligible Immigration Status. REASONABLE ACCCOMMODATIONS Applicants are encouraged to inform the Housing Authority staff if any member of the family requires reasonable accommodations. Some examples of reasonable accommodations include housing which is accessible for mobility impaired individuals or other assistive devices or features. HOUSING OFFERS The applicant will be offered a unit in the location with the oldest vacancy. If the offer is rejected, the applicant will be offered a suitable unit in the location with the second oldest vacancy. If that unit is rejected, a final offer will be made in the location with the third oldest vacancy. All three offers can be made simultaneously. If more than one unit of the appropriate type and size is available, the first unit to be offered will be the first unit that is ready for occupancy. If an applicant is willing to accept the unit offered, but is unable to take occupancy at the time of the offer for “good cause”, the applicant will not be removed from the waiting list.