WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR PUBLIC HOUSNG?

 

Calculate Your Estimated Annual Gross Income versus HUD’s Income Limits to see if you may qualify for public housing assistance. This calculation is an estimate only. GHA staff will perform an official calculation once you have been found to otherwise qualify. (Gross income must be less than the HUD income limits to qualify for assistance)

                  

Eligibility
The Gastonia Housing Authority is responsible for determining the eligibility of every individual and family admitted to the public housing program. Several factors must be verified and may affect the eligibility of the family or individual who is applying for housing assistance.

  1. Must qualify as a family as defined by HUD and the housing authority;
  2. Assistance is limited to low-income families and individuals;
  3. Annual gross income must be below limits set by HUD. Click here to see if you may qualify based on income.
  4. U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status. Individuals must qualify on the basis of citizenship or the eligible immigrant status of family members. (Family members who declare citizenship or national status must submit a copy of birth certificates for each member of the house);
  5. The head of household must provide social security number information for all family members;
  6. The head of household must consent to the housing authority’s collection and use of family information as provided for in the housing authority provided consent forms;
  7. Current or past behavior of household members must not include activities that are prohibited by HUD or the housing authority. This is verified by criminal and credit reports.

 Preferences

Applicants will be placed on the waiting list according to any preference for which they qualify, and the date and time their complete application is received by the housing authority.  The Gastonia Housing Authority has established the following preferences:

 

  1. Gaston County Residents Elderly/Disabled-4 points
  2. Gaston County Resident Families-3 points
  3. Gaston County Residents Single-2 points
  4. Non Gaston County-1 point
The housing authority will send written notification of the preliminary eligibility determination within 14 consecutive calendar days of receiving a complete application.

 

Placement on the Waiting List

Placement on the public housing waiting list does not indicate that the family is eligible for assistance.  A final determination of eligibility will be made when the family is selected from the waiting list.  Once selected from the waiting list, GHA will check your criminal history, credit history, landlord and other references to make sure you and your family will be good tenants. GHA will deny admission to any applicant whose habits and practices may be expected to have a detrimental effect on other tenants or on the project's environment.

 

Income Eligible

The family must have income at or below HUD-specified income limits.  HUD is required by law to set income limits that determine the eligibility of applicants for HUD’s assisted housing programs, including the housing choice voucher program.  The income limits are published annually and are based on HUD estimates of median family income in a particular area or county, with adjustments for the number of persons in a household.  The annual income limits are published at each management office and the GHA main office, 340 W Long Ave.  Income limits are also available on the HUD User website.

 

The public housing income limits for Gaston County are as follows:    
Low-Income Limits (80% of Area Median Income) 
Number of persons in household
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
Very low (To qualify for Section 8)
22,800
26,050
29,300
32,550
35,200
37,800
40,400
43,000
Low (To qualify for Public Housing)
36,500
41,700
46,900
52,100
56,300
60,450
64,650
68,800