Q: What is the Public Housing program?
A: Here is what HUD’s website has to say: Public Housing Program An easy to understand explanation is when a housing authority owns units and the housing authority enters into a lease with the participant. There is no voucher issued to participants of the Public/Low-Rent program.
Q: What is the Housing Choice Voucher Program?
A: Here is what HUD’s website has to say: HUD Housing Choice Vouchers Fact Sheet An easy to understand explanation is a participant enters the program through a waiting list offered at a housing authority, is issued a voucher, selects a property of their choice, and then complies with all applicable regulations. The voucher program is an income based program.
The La Joya Housing Authority does not have emergency housing available. We house applicants off of the waiting list. Applicants must submit an application to be placed on the waiting list in order to receive housing
We are not able to give you a definite answer as to how long the wait will be.
Vouchers are issued to those who have reached the top of the waiting list and successfully attended a briefing. Therefore it is very important that you inform La Joya Housing Authority of any address changes while you are on the waiting list.
After you are issued a voucher, you are responsible for finding a unit that qualifies for the program. La Joya Housing Authority (LJHA) will determine if the rent is within the program guidelines and schedule the unit for inspection. The unit must pass HQS (Housing Quality Standards) inspection prior to moving in and receiving assistance.
La Joya Housing Authority will pay a portion of your rent directly to the landlord based on a formula established by HUD. You will be responsible for paying the remaining portion (based on your income) to the landlord.
Current program regulations allow you to continue to receiving assistance as long as you are income eligible and remain in program compliance. You may lose assistance if your income increases to the point that your portion of rent matches or exceeds the full amount of rent or if you are terminated for program violations.
You should contact your landlord and follow procedure for reporting repairs. If the landlord fails to respond, you may contact La Joya Housing Authority at 956-581-7069.
HUD requires the unit to pass inspection before rental assistance can begin; all units must be safe, decent and sanitary. Your unit will be inspected a minimum of once per year. There are exceptions that may be inspected more than once per year.