Applying for Public Housing
Who is eligible?
Public Housing is limited to low-income families and individuals.
A chart showing current income guidelines is available below.
Income limits vary from area to area so applicants may be eligible at one Housing Authority but not at another.
Depending on the type of housing assistance available, eligibility requirements will vary but can include the following:
- Annual Gross Income
- Family Status
- U.S. Citizenship or Eligible Immigration Status
Waiting List
The wait time for Public Housing depends on when a vacant unit is available.
This program has additional requirements for background checks and landlord references.
The Chillicothe MHA will deny admission to any applicant when the prior landlord or law enforcement screening reveals a history of behavior that could have a detrimental effect on other residents or property’s environment.
If you need affordable housing while you wait for assistance, please request a list of Subsidized Housing and emergency contacts in Ross County.
Click to Apply
Preference Points
Local Preference Points are used to establish the order that applicants are placed on our wait lists. Among applicants with equal preference status, the wait lists will be organized by date and time.
- Veteran
- Given to Honorably Discharged Veterans only
- Must provide DD214
- Widow or Widower can also receive this point when they can provide the Veterans DD214 and Death Certificate.
2023 Income Table
| Income Limits |
Persons in Family |
|
1 |
2 |
3 |
4 |
5 |
6 |
7 |
8 |
| Very Low |
$27,450 |
$31,400 |
$35,300 |
$39,200 |
$42,350 |
$45,500 |
$48,650 |
$51,7500 |
| Extremely Low |
$16,450 |
$19,720 |
$24,860 |
$30,000 |
$35,140 |
$40,280 |
$45,420 |
$50,560 |
| Low |
$43,900 |
$50,200 |
$56,450 |
$62,700 |
$67,750 |
$72,750 |
$77,750 |
$82,800 |
Waiting List Process
- When an applicant is close to the top of the waiting list CMHA will send out a letter calling a family into a meeting. This meeting, called a Screening, is when your family will be asked to bring in your identifying documents, income verification, and any other documentation needed to determine your final eligibility.
- A National background check will be completed as well as checking Courts of Common Pleas and Municipal Court systems on all adults in the household. References from previous Landlords are asked to be filled out before the Screening. Once these are returned CMHA will review the results and decide if the applicant is still eligible.
- If the applicant is still eligible, they will wait for an available apartment to become open. This can take a few weeks to a few months depending on how often units become available, reconditioning of the unit, and when the applicant would be the next in line to be offered a unit.
- When a unit is available we will contact the next applicant and offer them the unit with their correct bedroom size. The applicant can refuse the unit offered but CMHA must then take them off of the Waiting List and they will need to reapply.
- If the applicant accepts the unit CMHA will then schedule a Pre-Leasing appointment to discuss the rent amount due each month and schedule the day to view the unit. During this appointment CMHA will also check that the applicant is able to get utilities in their own name if needed.
- Last is the Leasing, where the applicant will pay the deposit and pro-rated amount of rent for the remainder of the month. CMHA and the new tenant will inspect the unit and the tenant will receive their keys.
Please keep in mind that it is your responsibility to keep the office informed of the following changes you may have during you waiting time. These changes must be provide in writing. Do not attempt to call these changes into the office.
- Change of address and/or telephone number. If we cannot contact you we may have to remove you from the waiting list.
- Addition or loss of a household member. This could affect the bedroom size you may be eligible for.
- Start or loss of employment/income by an adult member of the household.
- Your placement on the waiting list will not be given out over the phone so please do not call the CMHA office for this information. You will be contacted by letter when your name has approached the top of the waiting list. If mail is returned to us undeliverable, your name will be removed from the waiting list.
These changes can be submitted in writing to:
CMHA
178 W. 4th St.
Chillicothe, OH 45601
If you fail to keep us informed of these changes you could actually EXTEND your wait time or cause your removal from the waiting list. As a reminder, all applicants will be contacted by mail.
Utility Allowance
Flat Rent Schedule