Public Housing

HUD's Public Housing Program

Public housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly and persons with disabilities. The U.S Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers Federal aid to local housing agencies that manage the housing for low-income residents at rents they can afford. HUD furnishes technical and professional assistance in planning, developing, and managing these developments.

Public housing is limited to low income families and individuals. The Housing Authority (HA) determines your eligibility based on annual gross income, whether you qualify as elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family. And, U.S. citenship or eligible immigration status. If you are eligible, the HA will check your references to make sure you and your family will be good tenants. HAs will deny admission to any applicant whose habits and practices may be expected to have a detrimental effect on other tenants or on the project's environment.

The Housing Authority is responsible for the management and operation of its local public housing program. The Hays Housing Authority also operates the Housing Choice Voucher program for the City of Hays. The on-going functions of the HA is to assure compliance with leases. Set other charges (e.g. security deposit, after hours unit access, and damages to units.) Perform periodic reexaminations of the family's income at least once every 12 months. Transfer families from one unit to another, in order to correct over/under crowding. Repair or renovate a dwelling. Terminate leases when necessary and maintain the development in a decent, safe, and sanitary condition.

Family Composition / Assignment of Bedroom Sizes

The following guidelines will determine each family's unit size without overcrowding or over-housing.
1-Bedroom: Min # of persons: 1 Max # of persons: 2
2-Bedroom: Min # of persons: 2 Max # of persons: 4
3-Bedroom: Min # of persons: 3 Max # of persons: 6

These standards are based on the assumption that each bedroom will accommodate no more than two (2) persons. In determining bedroom size, assignments shall be made so that, except for husband and wife and infants, persons of different sex will not occupy bedrooms over the age of six (6) years. An infant, up to the age of two (2) years, may share a bedroom with its parent(s), but the tenant shall not be required to do so. A family may request a larger size unit size than the guidelines allow. The Housing Authority will allow the larger size unit if the family provides a verified medical need that the family be housed in a larger unit.

How to Apply?

Step 1: Check to see if the Waiting List Bedroom size, that is appropiate for your family composition, is OPEN.
Your application will not be added to the waiting list if it is closed.
Step 2: Download, and complete the Pre-Application and return to the Hays Housing Authority.
Step 3: If the Housing Authority determines that you may be eligible for Public Housing, you will be contacted to complete the next step in the process. If you are ineligible, you will recieve a notice as to the reasons why.

If during the tenant selection process, the Housing Authority cannot contact you, your name will be removed from consideration. Please keep your contact information up to date to avoid this outcome. Between Public Housing and the Housing Choice Voucher program, the Hays Housing Authority serves over 100 families in Hays, Kansas.