PUBLIC HOUSING TENANTS WITH DISABILITIES

What You Should Know

How to Cut Your Rent

            The Big Picture:

            Your rent is based on your income minus deductions. If your income goes down, your rent goes down. A family with a disabled member can cut their rent because:

            ●they get special deductions from family income

            ● some income is exempt (it can’t be counted to set rent)

            Don’t be ripped off. Claim all deductions. Don’t let the housing authority count exempt income.

            These Deductions Cut Rent:

            Medical Bills: Your family’s rent can be cut if you pay for medical bills. Always ask the housing authority for rent deductions for all medical bills, including:

            ●doctor, dental & therapy visits, and travel to your appointment

            ●health insurance premiums 

            ●prescription drugs

            ●eye glasses

            Aides and Equipment: If anyone on your lease is disabled, you get a rent deduction for your bills for a personal care aide or for special equipment required for a family member or the disabled person to work.

            Disabled Adults: You get a $480 deduction for any disabled adult who lives with you.

            The Housing Authority Can’t Count this Income When it Sets Your Rent

            1. A family member’s pay if he or she

            ● goes back to work after 1 year of unemployment, or

            ● was on TANF welfare in the 6 months before getting her job

For these workers, pay cannot be counted as income for the first year of the job. For the second year, only half of the pay can be counted by the housing authority. If such income was counted, you should ask for a refund. You could get lots of money back.

            2. A live-in-aide’s income

            3. Income of disabled family member who gets SSI and signs up for the PASS program

            4. Government money your family gets for services and equipment to keep a developmentally disabled person in your home

Special Rights for Disabled Persons

            The housing authority must help with a disabled person’s special needs for a different apartment or special features. For example, a disabled tenant may have a right to:

            ●transfer to a first floor apartment or to an apartment with more bedrooms

            ●preference for transfer to an apartment that has special features for a disabled person

            ●an apartment or building with a wheelchair ramp

            ●rails by the steps and grab bars in the apartment

            ●assigned parking closer to his apartment

            ●keep pets if needed to help with disability

            ●a live-in-aide or caretaker

            If anyone on your lease has a disability that needs special treatment, ask the housing authority for an “accommodation” of the disability. Make your request in writing and explain why you need the special treatment or apartment because of the disability.

            Your Duties as a Tenant

            The housing authority must help disabled persons live in public housing. If your disability keeps you from doing things required by your lease, ask for an “accommodation.” Here are some examples of when the housing authority must help you:

            ●Is it hard to go to the project office to update your records, pay your rent or do business? Ask the housing authority to make a home visit or conduct business by phone or mail.

            ●A project office must have a ramp for persons in wheelchairs or scooters.

            ●If you are blind, deaf or have a hard time understanding things about your lease, the housing authority must give you special help.

            Evictions

            Are you being kicked out for a lease violation ? You may keep your apartment if you can show that a family member’s disability played a part in the lease violation. Be sure to ask the housing authority for an “accommodation” of the disability and not to evict you.

I Think My Rights Have Been Violated. What Can I Do?

            Get help from an agency or attorney who handles these cases.

            For discrimination complaints, call:

            For other problems, call your local legal aid office.