Can per diem income keep you from getting Section 8 housing?
Full Question:
Answer:
Under the regulation of public housing in New York City, each recipient must undergo an annual income recertification. The recertification (a.k.a. annual income review) process begins with the mailing of the “Affidavit of Income” to the Section 8 participants. Each participant is required to list his or her family composition, total household income, and citizenship on the affidavit of income. Information from the affidavit of income will be reviewed and verified by NYCHA staff. This information will be used to determine the participant’s rent portion to the landlord for the proceeding 12 month period.
Rent is set according to the income information received on the affidavit of income. The participant’s adjusted gross income is used in the rent calculation process to determine the participant’s portion of the rent to the landlord. Participants must pay at least 30% of their adjusted gross income towards the total rent for the apartment.
If income cannot be verified or the recipient does not provide the information, the rent subsidy may be terminated. Section 8 participants have the right to a fair hearing to contest termination action. All hearing requests must be made in writing and addressed to the supervisor at the appropriate Leased Housing borough office. During the hearing process, the participant’s subsidy remains in effect until the hearing officer makes a determination in writing.
The review process is done by the Housing Authority staff and thus there may be some interpretation on their part as to reliability of the income. It would be suggested that you discuss your particular situation with the staff and if necessary, request a hearing.