KELSO HOUSING AUTHORITY

Q.WHERE DO I TURN IN THE APPLICATION FORMS?

A: Applications can be mailed to the Kelso Housing Authority office at the address below or can be brought into the office in person.

KELSO HOUSING AUTHORITY
1415 S. 10TH AVE
KELSO, WA 98626

Q: WHAT DO I NEED TO TURN IN WITH THE APPLICATION FORMS?

A: The Kelso Housing Authority's waiting list system requires that each applicant prove their current housing circumstances. A list of the housing circumstances (called Federal Preference) is on the final page of the application forms. All written documents required to prove your current housing circumstances must be turned in with your application forms. Applications that do not include these documents will not make progress on the waiting lists. (A list of federal preferences and the required documents to prove them are at the bottom of this page.)

Q: WILL I NEED TO BRING MY IDENTIFICATION?

A: No. The Kelso Housing Authority does not require your picture ID or Social Security Card at the time of application. These items will be added to your file when you are invited to participate in the program.

Q: HOW LONG IS THE WAITING LIST?

A: The Kelso Housing Authority has 2 rental assistance programs. You can apply for both programs using the same application forms if you wish.

The Public Housing waiting list does not limit the time that participants living in the Public Housing Duplexes can stay. So the waiting list does not move unless one of the participants moves out of a Duplex. This creates a vacancy and the next eligible applicant is housed. This waiting list does not have a specific wait time.

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waiting list is approximately 12-18 months long at the Kelso Housing Authority.

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THE FOLLOWING IS A LIST OF
THE KELSO HOUSING AUTHORITY'S
FEDERAL PREFERENCES

• RENT BURDEN

REQUIRED DOCUMENTS:
INCOME AND RENT VERIFICATION PROVING THAT 50% OR MORE OF THE GROSS MONTHLY HOUSEHOLD INCOME IS BEING PAID FOR RENT + ELECTRIC + WATER/SEWER/GARBAGE BILLS

• HOMELESS

APPLICANTS WHO LACK A FIXED, REGULAR AND ADEQUATE NIGHTTIME RESIDENCE; AND
HAVE A PRIMARY NIGHTTIME RESIDENCE THAT IS A SUPERVISED PUBLIC OR A PRIVATE SHELTER PROVIDING TEMPORARY ACCOMMODATIONS.

REQUIRED DOCUMENT:
A STATEMENT FROM A PUBLIC SHELTER OR A PRIVATE HOMEOWNER PROVIDING TEMPORARY SHELTER

• INVOLUNTARY DISPLACEMENT DUE TO ONE OF THE FOLLOWING:

" A DISASTER
" FEDERAL, STATE OR LOCAL GOVERNMENT ACTION RELATED TO CODE ENFORCEMENT, PUBLIC IMPROVEMENT OR DEVELOPMENT
" HOUSING OWNER ACTION BEYOND THE APPLICANTS CONTROL AND WHICH OCCURS DESPITE THE APPLICANT'S HAVING MET ALL PREVIOUS CONDITIONS OF OCCUPANCY
" LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCY RECOMMENDATION TO REHOUSE FAMILY TO AVOID OR REDUCE RISK OF VIOLENCE AGAINST FAMILY AS REPRISAL BECAUSE THE FAMILY PROVIDED INFORMATION ON CRIMINAL ACTIVITIES
" HATE CRIMES: IF A MEMBER OF THE FAMILY HAS BEEN THE VICTIM OF ONE OR MORE HATE CRIMES AND THE APPLICANT HAS VACATED THE UNIT BECAUSE OF THE CRIME OR THE FEAR OF SUCH A CRIME HAS DESTROYED THE APPLICANT'S PEACEFUL ENJOYMENT OF THE UNIT

REQUIRED DOCUMENT:
VERIFICATION FROM OFFICE OF CODE ENFORCEMENT, AGENCIES PROVIDING DISASTER RELIEF, HOUSING OWNER, OR LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES AND POLICE REPORTS

• SUBSTANDARD HOUSING

APPLICANTS WHOSE DWELLING HAS ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA AS CITED BY OFFICIALS OF LOCAL CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICE:
" IS DILAPIDATED, AND DOES NOT PROVIDE SAFE, ADEQUATE SHELTER;
" DOES NOT HAVE USABLE FLUSHABLE TOILET IN THE UNIT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF THE FAMILY;
" DOES NOT HAVE USABLE BATHTUB OR SHOWER IN UNIT FOR THE EXCLUSIVE USE OF THE FAMLY;
" DOES NOT HAVE ADEQUATE, SAFE ELECTRICAL SOURCE;
" DOES NOT HAVE ADEQUATE, SAFE SOURCE OF HEAT;
" SHOULD, BUT DOES NOT HAVE A KITCHEN;
" HAS BEEN DECLARED UNFIT FOR HABITATION BY A GOVERNMENT AGENCY.

REQUIRED DOCUMENT:
MUST COME FROM LOCAL CODE ENFORCEMENT OFFICE

• GRADUATES OF TRANSITIONAL HOUSING / SUBSTANCE ABUSERS PROGRAMS/ OR VICTIMS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (WITHIN LAST 6 MONTHS)

REQUIRED DOCUMENT:
VERIFICATION FROM SHELTER, SOCIAL SERVICE AGENCY, COURT RECORDS OR CLERGY ( CIRCUMSTANCE MUST HAVE OCCURRED WITHIN THE LAST 6 MONTHS)