HOW OLD DO YOU HAVE TO BE TO APPLY FOR HOUSING?
You cannot sign a legal contract in the state of Alabama unless you are at least 19 years of age.
WHAT IS PUBLIC HOUSING?
Public housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Public housing comes in all sizes and types, from scattered single family houses to high rise apartments for elderly families. 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.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Public housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. The Housing Authority determines your eligibility based on:
• Annual gross income
• Whether you qualify as elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family
• U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status
• Criminal History
• Rental History Based on our screening process, Foley Housing Authority (FHA) will deny admission to any applicant whose habits and
practices may be expected to have a detrimental effect on other residents or on the public housing environment.
HOW DO I APPLY?
If you are interested in applying for public housing, contact the Foley Housing Authority at the address or telephone number indicated on the Home page of this website.
WHAT IS THE APPLICATION PROCESS?
The application process is listed below (Note: this is only intended as a summary of the process and may not be all-inclusive and is subject to change as we continue to improve our efficiency):
1) Application - An application is completed and submitted by the applicant in order to be placed on the waiting list. You should check with a Foley Housing Authority office staff member to confirm if we are currently accepting applications as the status of the waiting list changes frequently.
2) Waiting List - The family is placed on the waiting list in the order in which their application was received, preference or priority (if applicable in current
policy). The application will remain in the "pending" or "received" status until approved or denied.
3) Interview and verification process - The interview may be conducted at the time the application is submitted or as applicants approach the top of the waiting list. Interested parties should check with the Housing Authority to confirm if interviews are currently being conducted at the time of submitting an application or if an appointment is to be scheduled. Applicants will be informed of what documentation (if any) they need to provide to complete their application process. A deadline will be provided for the requested documents. Applicants who fail to attend their scheduled interview, neglect to respond to the letter (of scheduled appointment) or fail to provide the requested documents by the deadline will have their application withdrawn, subject to reasonable accommodations for people with disabilities. Upon completion of the interview, the verification process will begin. Foley Housing Authority (FHA) will verify all applicable information according to policy. Once all paperwork has been returned and verified, and if the applicant is found eligible, the status will be updated from pending to eligible. Applicants will then be offered housing as it becomes available.
HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE FOR ME TO OBTAIN HOUSING?
The time frame varies depending on the number of vacancies we have each month and how many people are applying for housing. The waiting list also varies depending on which bedroom size for which you are qualified. However, you are valued as an applicant and we will work diligently to provide you with housing as soon as we are able.
IF I LIVE IN PUBLIC HOUSING, CAN I APPLY FOR THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM? (Previously known as SECTION 8)
If the waiting list is open, you may apply.
WHAT IF I OWE MONEY TO A FORMER LANDLORD OR HAVE A CRIMINAL HISTORY, CAN I STILL BE HOUSED?
Every applicant is subject to our screening process that includes, but is not limited to a criminal background check and former tenancy histories. Applicants that owe a housing authority or any other federally subsidized program funds will not be processed for occupancy. The applicant must pay the funds owed prior to the application being processed. After the application is processed, the applicant must meet all other conditions for occupancy. Re-paying funds that are due, do not necessarily qualify an applicant for occupancy or program participation.
WHAT IF I NEED EMERGENCY HOUSING?
The Foley Housing Authority cannot provide emergency housing.
WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN PUBLIC HOUSING AND THE HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER PROGRAM (SECTION 8)?
Public Housing is owned by the Housing Authority and the Authority manages the property it leases. The FHA owns and manages apartments in Foley, Alabama which are leased to low-income people on an income-based rental rate or at a flat rental rate depending on the preference of the resident. This assistance is attached to the public housing unit in which the family resides and is not transferable. The Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) is housing that is owned and managed by private landlords who list their property with a housing authority. The housing authority subsidizes part of the resident's rent to the landlord so the housing is affordable for the resident. This assistance is attached to the family rather than the unit.