Housing Authority's Responsibility: The Housing Authority administers the housing programs. The Housing Authority provides the family with the rental assistance that enables the family to seek out suitable housing and the housing authority enters into a contract with the landlord to provide rental assistance on behalf of the family. If the landlord fails to meet his/her obligations under the lease, the housing authority has the right to terminate assistance payments. Family Responsibility When a family selects a housing unit and the Housing Authority approves the unit and lease, the family signs a lease with the landlord for one year. The tenant may be required to pay a security deposit to the landlord. After the first year the landlord may initiate a new lease or allow the family to remain in the unit on a month-to-month lease. After the family is in the new apartment they are expected to comply with the lease and the program requirements, pay their share of the rent on time, pay their utilities, maintain the unit in good condition and notify the housing authority of any changes in income or family composition. Landlord Responsibility The role of the landlord in the Housing Program is to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing to a tenant at a reasonable rent. The apartment unit must pass the program's housing quality standards (HQS) inspection and be maintained up to those standards as long as the owner receives housing assistance payments. In addition, the landlord is expected to provide the services agreed to as part of the lease signed with the tenant and the contract signed with the housing authority. |