Welcome to the Mover Session
Housing Choice Voucher Program
CMHA’s Housing Choice Voucher
Program provides reasonable
accommodations to persons with
disabilities.
If you need an accommodation,
including auxiliary aids and/or
services, please contact Customer
Service at:
216-431-1471 (voice) or
1-800-750-0750 (Ohio Relay Service)
Please Complete
the background
Record Release
Form
– Must be completed by
everyone in your
family 18 and older
– Turn in the forms to
receive your voucher
and moving papers
Do you have Changes to report?
CMHA requires that you report any
changes within 30 days.
• Includes adding or removing family members.
• CMHA currently only allows addition to family
because of birth, adoption, marriage or court awarded custody.
• Increase or decrease in income
• Keep a copy for your records
Looking
for a
Unit
Looking for a GOOD Unit
A GOOD Unit should…
• Be in a low crime area
www.clevelandoh.areaconnect.com
• Should offer amenities and
community resources
• Offer employment
opportunities
• Have a good neighborhood
appearance
Deteriorated Paint
The unit must be free from:
• Chipping
• Peeling
• Cracking
Any deteriorated paint is unacceptable!
All Painted surfaces must be intact.
Disturbed painted surfaces will FAIL the
inspection
Protect Your Family from
Lead
• Free Brochure
• Included in your moving
packet
• Covers:
•
•
•
•
Protecting your family
Harmful effects of lead
Reducing lead hazards
Contact numbers for more
information
Excellent Schools
www.ode.oh.gov
• West:
Bay Village, Lakewood, North Olmsted, North
Royalton, Olmsted Falls, Rocky River, Strongsville, and
Westlake
• East:
Beachwood, Brecksville-Broadview Heights,
Chagrin Falls, Cuyahoga Heights, Independence,
Mayfield, Orange, and Solon
Available Unit List
www.housingcleveland.org
MOU
Memorandum of
Understanding
CMHA and 18 Suburbs have teamed up to make the Housing
Choice Voucher experience uplifting for our participants and our
communities.
Bedford
Bedford Heights
Brooklyn
Brook Park
Cleveland Heights
Cuyahoga Heights
East Cleveland
Euclid
Fairview Park
Garfield Heights
Lakewood
Lyndhurst
Maple Heights
Parma
Shaker Heights
South Euclid
University Heights
Warrensville Heights
Memorandum of Understanding
CMHA
• will inform each city which units will be subsidized
• will require that landlords fix all city violations
The City
• will inform CMHA of code violations, police calls,
criminal activity and nuisance complaints
Inspecting
The
Unit
A Good Unit
Should…
Pass the
inspection
the first time!
Inspections Checklist
• Located in your movers papers
• Also available at www.cmha.net
• Check the items on the list for each
unit you visit.
• Make sure the unit will pass the
inspection
Inspections Checklist
• Must correct any city violations
• Utilities must be turned on at the time
of the inspection
• Unit must be vacant
• Owner must has Occupancy Permit or
Rental Registration
Your
Moving
Papers
Your Voucher is
good for 120
days…
• Must pass the
background check
• Must be current on
annual requirements
• Must not be proposed
for termination
Did you Receive the Orange
Card?
Your contract was cancelled for
Landlord default:
You must be under contract within
120 days from date your unit
was cancelled.
If not, you will be withdrawn
Your RFTA Packet
• Review with owner/agent
• Complete Everything
– (except the lease)
• You are the:
– Family
– Participant
– Lessee
• The landlord is the:
– Owner
– Agent
– Lessor
Look for a unit with
the correct number
of bedrooms
• One bedroom for Head
of Household and
spouse, if any
• One bedroom for each
two additional family
members (regardless of
age)
• Children under the age
of 4 will share a room
Meeting
The
Owner
Meeting with the
Landlord
• Be Professional
• You cannot rent
from a direct relative
• Avoid a landlord that
suggests fraud
Meeting with the
Landlord
• Ask for the Security
deposit policy in
writing
• There is no such thing
as “Section 8
Approved”
Meeting with the
Landlord
• Ask the landlord if
he/she plans to sell
the unit or if it is in
foreclosure
• Make sure the unit
will pass inspection
Research
The
Owner
Who Owns this Unit?
• Check to see who actually owns
the property
– http://auditor.cuyahogacounty.us/
Background Check the Owner
• Check the owners criminal
background
– http://coc.cuyahogacounty.us/
– You can check Civil and Criminal
cases
Housing
Discrimination
Housing Discrimination
• When looking for a unit it is ILLEGAL for
anyone to deny you housing based on:
– Race
– Color
– National Origin
– Sex
– Familial Status
– Disability
What Can I do?
• Housing
Discrimination Hotline
– 1-800-669-9777
• Contact the Fair
Housing Board in the
Community
• File a complaint with
the HUD Midwest
Office
Turning
In Your
Paperwork
Fill out paperwork
with your New
Landlord
• Return the paperwork to
Door B.
• Don’t forget the 30 day
Notice
Must be turned in with
your new paperwork.
• Wait until you find the
new unit before giving
notice
• Not Required for:
– Fire
– Foreclosed unit
– Landlord Default
Minimum of
30 Days Notice
Here’s what happens
next
• The landlord will receive a
“pre-rent determination”
while you wait.
• If the landlord accepts the
offer an Inspection is
scheduled within 14 days.
• Paperwork cannot be
dropped off.
The results are in..
• The results are sent to the
Contracting Department
• If the inspection Passes, the
landlord is contacted with the
final rent offer
• When landlord signs the
approved lease and the contract
and you can move into the unit
You have the Keys
You MUST:
•Move in within 5 days or
•Notify CMHA in 14 days
Failure to do so:
•May result in Termination
Moving in…
• Be packed and
ready to move
• Don’t move in until
the unit is under
contract
• Once the new
contract is effective,
move quickly so you
can be out of your
old unit before the
end of the rental
period.
Security
Deposit
Your Security Deposit
•Ohio law doesn’t limit the amount of deposits, but if
the deposit is more than one month’s rent, the
landlord must calculate interest on the overage and
pay it to you when the deposit is returned.
•It is common in this area for deposits to be equal to
one months rent.
•Make sure you get the security deposit policy in
writing.
How to get it back
When you move out, your landlord must:
1. Itemize any amount withheld from the
deposit.
2. Return the deposit within 30 days of moveout.
How to get it back
To get your deposit back, you must:
1. Remove all of your possessions.
2. Leave the unit in clean and free of damages
3. Return the keys
4. Give the landlord your forwarding address.
5.Take pictures when you move in and out.
Know your Rental Rights
I don’t know
what to do about
the problem I
am having at my
house.
Call the
Cleveland
Tenants
Organization
Call
216-432-0609
http://www.clevelandtenants.org/
Your
Family
Obligations
Your Family Obligations
• The family Must supply any requested
information to CMHA or HUD
• The family must provide and disclose
Social Security Numbers for ALL family
members
• Any information supplied by the family
must be true and complete
Your Family Obligations
• Your are responsible for any Family
caused Inspection violations
• You must allow the PHA to inspect your
unit at reasonable times after reasonable
notice.
• You must not seriously or repeatedly
violate your lease
Your Family Obligations
• You must notify the owner and the PHA
that you plan to terminate your lease
BEFORE you move from the unit
• The family MUST promptly provide the
PHA any eviction notices.
• The unit must be used by the family and
be the family’s only place of residence.
Your Family Obligations
• Family composition must be approved by
the PHA. No one is to reside in the unit
without approval from the PHA.
• The family MUST promptly notify the PHA
if a family member leaves the unit.
• Family members may have a legal home
business as long as it does not keep the
home from being a residence.
Your Family Obligations
• The family must not sublease the unit
• The family must not assign the lease or
transfer the unit
• The family must not own or have any
interest in the unit.
Your Family Obligations
• The family must promptly notify the PHA of
family absence from the unit.
• Family members must not commit
– Fraud
– Bribery or
– Any other corrupt act
Your Family Obligations
• Family members may not commit criminal
activity including:
– Drug related activity or
– Violent criminal activity
• Family members must not receive any
other Housing Assistance while assisted
with the voucher.
Rent
Calculation
How Your Rent is Determined
1. You and your landlord agree to the
proposed rent.
2. CMHA will agree to this amount if:
•
•
The rent is reasonable compared to the
rent for similar unassisted housing in the
same neighborhood.
The rent amount will not cause the
family portion to be more than 40% of
your adjusted family income.
How Your Rent is Determined
3. Your portion of the rent will be
30-40% of your monthly income.
4. The payment standard is the maximum
amount CMHA can pay towards subsidy of
rent and utilities
Affordability
Calculator
Affordability Calculator
Enter Your information
•Select your
Bedroom size
•Select the unit
bedroom size
•Indicate the
utilities to be
paid and who is
responsible
•Click Calculate
Only Pay your CMHA Approved
Portion
DO NOT
“Pay the
Difference”
Your
New
Home
Your New Home
• KEEP IT CLEAN!
• Be Considerate of Your
Neighbors
• Follow the conditions of
the lease
• Keep a professional
relationship with the
landlord
For
Rent
Update Your Phone Number
We need your number to
contact you:
– Inspections
– Appointments
– Emergencies
Contact Customer Service at:
216-431-1471
to update your phone number
Annual
Requirements
Annual Inspections
•An adult must be present
•18 or older
•You must complete the
inspection even if you are
moving.
•2 missed inspections may
result in termination.
Emergency Inspections
•Call CMHA for emergencies
•No water
•No gas
•No heat (Oct-April)
•No electricity
•Sewer back-up
216-431-1471
Special Inspections
•Call owner for other problems :
•Repairs
•Pests
•Etc
•Put requests for repairs in writing
•Give Owner 30 days to repair
•After 30 days inform CMHA
Annual Re-examinations
• All adults must be present
•With ID and Income information
•You must call if you cannot
attend BEFORE the appointment
time.
•Failure to attend may result in
termination of assistance
•Call 216-431-1471 if you do not
receive your appointment letter
Special
Programs
Family Self-Sufficiency
• 5 year contract
• Help save money for
Homeownership
• Help achieve goals to become
self-sufficient
• Increase income=Increased
savings
• Call 216-426-2731 for an
appointment
Homeownership
Must meet the following Qualifications:
•One year on HCVP
•Minimum income of $15,000
•Minimum $3,000 for down payment
•Minimum Credit Score of 560
•Ask for your application at the front
windows
Check out
These
Websites:
Available Units
www.housingcleveland.org
Criminal
Background
http://coc.cuyahogacounty.us/
Property Owner
http://auditor.cuyahogacounty.us/
Excellent
Schools
www.ode.oh.gov
Tenant Rights
www.clevelandtenants.org
Crime
Statistics
www.clevelandoh.areaconnect.com
Thank You