HCV FAQs
Are you accepting applications to the tenant-based waitlist?
No. The Housing Choice Voucher Tenant-Based Program waitlist is closed, and we are not accepting new applications. Where Auburn Housing Authority (AHA) has particular preferences or funding criteria that require a specific category of family, AHA may elect to continue to accept applications from these applicants while closing the waiting list to others. AHA will announce the reopening of the wait list at least 10 business days prior to the date applications will first be accepted. If the list is only being reopened for certain categories of families, this information will be contained in the notice. AHA will give public notice by publishing the relevant information in suitable media outlets and posting on the AHA website.
Are you accepting applications to the project-based waitlist?
The Housing Choice Voucher Project-Based Program waitlist is open for 3-to-5-bedroom apartments.
The 1-bedroom and the 2-bedroom waitlist is closed.
You may apply for the Auburn and Lafayette Project-Based Voucher waitlist at https://www.auburnhousingauth.org/apply-online.
How can I verify I am on the wait list?
You can contact the AHA at 334-821-2262 ext. 217 to verify your name is still active on the waiting list. The office will not be able to predict how long it will take for your name to reach the top of the waiting lists.
Where am I on the wait list?
AHA cannot confirm your placement number on the waitlist. Reaching the top of the waitlist depends on various things, including the date and time your application was received, the preferences you indicated on your application, and funding.
How long will it take to receive a Tenant-Based Voucher?
Many families and individuals have applied for housing assistance and are on the waiting list for the Housing Choice Voucher Tenant-Based program. We cannot predict when your name will reach the top of the waiting list.
Reaching the top of the waiting list depends on the availability of vouchers, when you applied for the program, and any selection preferences you may have indicated on your application. When your name reaches the top of the waiting list, we will contact you for an eligibility interview.
Please keep your contact information current by updating your online account or notifying the office of changes to your address, email, or phone number. If we are unable to contact you based on the information provided in your application, it may cause you to be removed from the waitlist.
How do I update my application address, telephone number, or email address?
Once your application has been imported, you will be notified by email with instructions on creating an online account to update your personal information. Or you may choose to come by the AHA office and request to update your application.
How long will it take to receive a Project-Based Voucher?
We work closely with AHA Development, LLC and Lafayette Housing Authority to fill vacancies by referring eligible PBV applicants to fill their vacant units.
Reaching the top of the waiting list depends on when you applied for the program, any selection preferences you may have indicated on your application, and the number of referrals the landlord requires. When your name reaches the top of the waiting list, we will contact you for an eligibility interview.
Please keep your contact information current by updating your online account or notifying the office of changes to your address, email, or phone number. If we are unable to contact you based on the information provided in your application, it may cause you to be removed from the waitlist.
What is a Grievance?
Both applicants and participants have the right to disagree with and appeal certain decisions of the PHA that may adversely affect them. The process for applicant appeals of PHA decisions is called the "informal review." For participants (or applicants denied admission because of citizenship issues), the appeal process is called an "informal hearing."
Informal hearings provide the applicant and/or resident family a means to hear the details of the reasons for rejection or administrative decision and an opportunity to present evidence to the contrary if available and to claim mitigating circumstances where applicable.
Persons with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations to participate in the informal hearing process, and AHA must consider such accommodations. AHA must also consider reasonable accommodation requests pertaining to the reasons for denial if related to the person's disability.
Families are entitled to be represented by an attorney or other designee at the family's expense and have such a person make statements on the family's behalf.
Can an informal hearing be conducted remotely?
The PHA has the sole discretion to require that informal hearings be conducted remotely in case of local, state, or national physical distancing orders and inclement weather or natural disaster.
In addition, the PHA will conduct an informal hearing remotely upon request as a reasonable accommodation for a person with a disability, if a participant does not have child care or transportation that would enable them to attend the informal hearing, or if the participant believes an in-person hearing would create an undue health risk. The PHA will consider other reasonable requests for a remote informal hearing case-by-case basis.
Documents will be shared electronically whenever possible.
What can I appeal as an applicant?
The PHA must give an applicant the opportunity for an informal review of a decision denying assistance. Denial of assistance may include any or all of the following:
- Denying listing on the PHA waiting list
- Denying or withdrawing a voucher
- Refusing to enter into a HAP contract or approve a lease
- Refusing to process or provide assistance under portability procedures
What can I appeal as a participant?
The PHA will only offer participants the opportunity for an informal hearing when required by the regulations. Circumstances for which the PHA must give a participant's family an opportunity for an informal hearing are as follows:
- A determination of the family's annual or adjusted income and the use of such income to compute the housing assistance payment
- A determination of the appropriate utility allowance (if any) for tenant-paid utilities from the PHA utility allowance schedule
- A determination of the family unit size under the PHA's subsidy standards
- A determination to terminate assistance for a participant's family because of the family's actions or failure to act
- A determination to terminate assistance because the participant has been absent from the assisted unit for longer than the maximum period permitted under PHA policy and HUD rules
- A determination to terminate a family's Family Self Sufficiency contract, withhold supportive services, or propose forfeiture of the family's escrow
How can I request an Informal Review?
A request for an informal review must be made in writing and delivered to the PHA either in person or by first-class mail by the close of the business day, no later than 10 calendar days from the date of the PHA's denial of assistance.
The PHA must schedule and send written notice of the informal review within 10 business days of the family's request.
How can I request an Informal Hearing?
A request for an informal hearing must be made in writing and delivered to the PHA either in person or by first-class mail by the close of the business day, no later than 10 calendar days from the date of the PHA's decision or notice to terminate assistance.
What if I need to reschedule a hearing?
The family may request to reschedule a hearing for good cause or if it is needed as a reasonable accommodation for a person with disabilities. Good cause is defined as an unavoidable conflict that seriously affects the family's health, safety, or welfare.
Requests to reschedule a hearing must be made orally or in writing before the hearing date. The PHA may request documentation of the "good cause" before rescheduling the hearing.