FAQ's for Participants
What do I need to do to complete my Annual Review?
Annual Reexaminations are conducted on all participating households at least once annually. Annual packets are mailed out with instructions for completion and a due date. We require proof of all income, assets, and deductions. Anyone in the household 18 and older must complete and sign the required forms. The annual must be completed 30 days prior to the effective date. Any household that fails to return the required information will be sent a Non-Compliance Letter with a list of what is overdue as well as receive a call. If the household has not responded in the time permitted we will being the termination process. Should a termination occur you would be responsible for the full rent and may be evicted if you are in a Project Based Unit.
How do I report changes throughout the year?
Email or call our Program Assistant at 207-626-2357 ext. 1, [email protected], or mail us at 1 Weston Court Suite 203B Augusta, ME 04330, or have information faxed to us at 207-626-2359.
What types of things do I need to report?
Any changes to income, assets, deductions, family composition, residency must be reported within 14 days of the change. Copies of eviction notices must be submitted to Augusta Housing as soon as you receive them. If you are going to be absent from your unit for an extended period of time please contact our office. Unreported changes may result in an overpayment of subsidy. If an overpayment occurs you will be required to pay these amounts back and may be terminated from the program.
How do I add/remove someone from my household?
To start either process we will request a statement from you in writing. Do not add anyone into the home until you have permission from both the Landlord and Augusta Housing. Just like you had to be screened prior to entry, so does anyone new being added to your household. To get started you can call 207-626-2357 ext. 1 or email [email protected]
How is my voucher size determined?
I found a unit, now what?
The first step to getting leased up is to complete the landlord packet with the landlord of the unit. This is called a RFTA- Request for Tenancy Approval. Once completed submit the RFTA to Augusta Housing. We first conduct a financial test to see if it meets the financial requirements. Then we check to determine if the rent is reasonable compared to other units in the area of the same size and type. We check to determine if the landlord is eligible to work with the program. Once it has passed these reviews we request a HQS- Housing Quality Standards Test to ensure the unit is safe to reside in. Under no circumstances should you move into a unit until it has passed the test AND Augusta Housing has given you consent to move in.
What do I need to do to complete my Annual Review?
Annual Reexaminations are conducted on all participating households at least once annually. Annual packets are mailed out with instructions for completion and a due date. We require proof of all income, assets, and deductions. Anyone in the household 18 and older must complete and sign the required forms. The annual must be completed 30 days prior to the effective date. Any household that fails to return the required information will be sent a Non-Compliance Letter with a list of what is overdue as well as receive a call. If the household has not responded in the time permitted we will being the termination process. Should a termination occur you would be responsible for the full rent and may be evicted if you are in a Project Based Unit.
How do I report changes throughout the year?
Email or call our Program Assistant at 207-626-2357 ext. 1, [email protected], or mail us at 1 Weston Court Suite 203B Augusta, ME 04330, or have information faxed to us at 207-626-2359.
What types of things do I need to report?
Any changes to income, assets, deductions, family composition, residency must be reported within 14 days of the change. Copies of eviction notices must be submitted to Augusta Housing as soon as you receive them. If you are going to be absent from your unit for an extended period of time please contact our office. Unreported changes may result in an overpayment of subsidy. If an overpayment occurs you will be required to pay these amounts back and may be terminated from the program.
How do I add/remove someone from my household?
To start either process we will request a statement from you in writing. Do not add anyone into the home until you have permission from both the Landlord and Augusta Housing. Just like you had to be screened prior to entry, so does anyone new being added to your household. To get started you can call 207-626-2357 ext. 1 or email [email protected]
How is my voucher size determined?
- One bedroom allocation for each two persons with a designation of Head, Co-Head, or Spouse within the household.
- One bedroom allocation for a minor, or two minors of the same gender regardless of age.
- One bedroom allocation for every additional two adults regardless of gender or relationship
- Two bedroom allocation for two minor children of opposite genders.
- One bedroom allocation for an approved live in aide.
- Two bedroom allocation for a single pregnant woman or expecting couple with no other children in the household.
I found a unit, now what?
The first step to getting leased up is to complete the landlord packet with the landlord of the unit. This is called a RFTA- Request for Tenancy Approval. Once completed submit the RFTA to Augusta Housing. We first conduct a financial test to see if it meets the financial requirements. Then we check to determine if the rent is reasonable compared to other units in the area of the same size and type. We check to determine if the landlord is eligible to work with the program. Once it has passed these reviews we request a HQS- Housing Quality Standards Test to ensure the unit is safe to reside in. Under no circumstances should you move into a unit until it has passed the test AND Augusta Housing has given you consent to move in.
What else do I need to know?
When you sign your voucher you are acknowledging that you understand the responsibilities and obligations for participating in the program. If these obligations are violated you may be terminated from the program.
When you sign your voucher you are acknowledging that you understand the responsibilities and obligations for participating in the program. If these obligations are violated you may be terminated from the program.
- You must supply any information that Augusta Housing or HUD determines to be necessary for the administration of the program.
- You must supply original social security cards for us to view and copy.
- Any information you provide must be true and accurate.
- You must allow Augusta Housing to inspect the unit at reasonable times after reasonable notice.
- You may not commit any serious or repeated violations of your lease.
- You must provide a written 30 day notice to Augusta Housing and the Landlord prior to moving out of your unit or terminating the lease.
- You are required to supply Augusta Housing with any copies of eviction notices.
- You must use the assisted unit as your only residence.
- You must promptly inform Augusta housing of the birth, adoption, or court awarded custody of anyone under the age of 18.
- To add anyone 18 or older you must obtain written approval from both Augusta Housing and the landlord prior to moving them in.
- If someone in your household moves out you must notify Augusta Housing in writing within 14 days of the change.
- You must promptly notify Augusta Housing of an absence from the unit.
- You must use the assisted unit as your only residence.
- You may not own or have any interest in the unit.
- No one in your household may be related to the landlord.
- Members of your household may not commit fraud bribery or any other corrupt criminal act in connection with the program.
- Members of your household may not engage in drug related criminal activity or violent criminal activity.
- Members of your household may not engage in the illegal use of controlled substances or abuse of alcohol that threatens the health and safety or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other residents.
- When a change in income occurs you must report that change to Augusta Housing within 14 days of the change. Unreported changes my result in an overpayment which you would be required to pay back.
- It is illegal for you to make additional payments to the landlord to cover a rent amount that is higher than what Augusta Housing has approved. It is illegal for a landlord to charge such side payments.
- HUD requires that each household be recertified at least once a year. Your packet will come via mail. You must complete it and return in a timely manner.