DUKES COUNTY REGIONAL HOUSING AUTHORITY
Policy Adopted June 1997
Revised August 2001
Application and Review Process
Application and copies of this Tenant Selection Criteria Policy are available from the Regional Housing Authority. Applicants are encouraged to call with questions or to review a submitted application. All applications must be fully completed including your correct mailing address and current telephone number. As completed applications are received by the RHA they will be stamped with the date of arrival if by hand or the date of postmark if by mail.
RHA staff will review applications to determine eligibility. This review will by based upon the applicant's stated income(s), household size, etc. Applicants will either be qualified and placed on the waiting list, or rejected because they do not appear to meet the minimum criteria. All decisions of the RHA are final.
In accordance with applicable equal opportunity statutes, Executive Orders, and regulations, the RHA does not discriminate against any person because of race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, families with children or disability; excluding the income limits, size of households and other criteria established in this document.
This policy will be reviewed annually and may be amended at any time with proper public notice.
DCRHA Waiting List
If a rental unit is not available the RHA will maintain a waiting list of qualified applicants. Separate applications may be required for different housing developments or programs due to income limits, residency requirements, or funding sources. Qualified applicants will be notified when a unit becomes available appropriate to their household size.
Waiting lists are confidential documents, not subject to current public records laws. No personal information will be divulged to any party. Members of a tenant selection committee and RHA staff are bound to maintain confidentiality.
Minimum Qualification Guidelines
1. Households must meet income limits.
HUD (US Department of Housing and Urban Development) determines median income for Dukes County. Total household income, in relationship to household size is considered when approving an application. RHA income limits for 2004 are:
Household Size |
60% of median |
80% of median |
100% of median |
120% of median |
140% of median |
One Person |
$27,800
|
$37,000
|
$46,300
|
$55,600
|
$64,800
|
Two Persons |
$31,700
|
$42,300
|
$52,900
|
$63,500
|
$74,100
|
Three Persons |
$35,700
|
$47,600
|
$59,500
|
$71,400
|
$83,300
|
Four Persons |
$39,700
|
$52,900
|
$66,100
|
$79,300
|
$92,500
|
Five Persons |
$42,800
|
57,100
|
$71,400
|
$85,700
|
$100,000
|
|
|
Depending on funding sources, a ranking of preference in respect to income may be applied to applicants on a particular waiting list.
2. Households must provide verifiable landlord references.
All landlord references will be verified. Unfavorable or unsubstantiated landlord reference may be grounds for rejection of applications.
3. Banking and credit references are required.
Credit reports from established credit bureaus will be obtained. Unfavorable reports may be grounds for rejection of applications.
4. County and/or Town residency preference.
Preference will be given to applicants with established Dukes County residency. Some available units may be held for persons with established residency within a particular town.
5. Length of Residency preference.
Preference will be given to applicants based on length of Dukes County residency.
6. Household size must be appropriate to the unit size.
Generally, households will be placed in a unit size so that it will not be necessary for persons of the opposite sex, other than husband and wife (or those in a similar living arrangement), to occupy the same bedroom, with the exception of children under the age of six. The following guidelines apply:
| Unit Size | Household Composition |
| Studio | One to two adults, One adult with one child |
| One Bedroom | One to two adults with one young child |
| Two Bedrooms | One to two adults with up to two children |
| Three Bedrooms | One to two adults with up to four children |
| Four Bedrooms | One to two adults with up to six children |
7. Applicants must provide a valid Social Security card.
Valid U.S. Social Security numbers are required for all applicants and all members of the applicant household.
8. Applicants must be able to pre-pay required rents prior to move-in, including first month's rent and security.
9. Applicants must be willing and able to enter into a lease agreement.
10. Further restrictions may apply at the discretion of the DCRHA.
Personal interviews with an entire resident household present may be required.
Application Rejection Criteria:
The DCRHA may reject any and all applications for one of more of the following reasons:
1. Applicants unable to meet one or more of the Minimum Qualification Guidelines listed above.
2. Applicant's rent would exceed 30-50% of gross total annual income.
3. Applicants submit an incomplete, unsubstantiated or unreadable application.
4. Applicants submit false or unsubstantiated information about themselves or any household member, or misrepresent the size and configuration of the household.
5. Any household member has a poor landlord reference including:
a. Indication of habitual late payment of rents due.
b. Violation of previous lease or rental agreements.
c. Indication of conflict with management and/or other residents.
6. Any household member is a convicted felon or convicted of repeated misdemeanors, or is currently accused of any crime in a court of law.
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