Low Income Public Housing & Multifamily Housing Program
How do I Apply? What is the application process for Public Housing?
Applications for Public Housing are taken in the Occupancy Department of the Denver Housing Authority located at 777 Grant St. on the first floor. The application process for the Public Housing programs are opened and closed at various times throughout the year. Openings are announced by public notice in the local, daily newspapers as well as the DHA website and phone system. Interested applicants should pick up a blue public housing interest card from the Occupancy Department when we are open for the category in which they are applying for. Example of eligibility categories that are opened and closed throughout the year include disabled singles, couples, and families, elderly singles, couples and families and families with minor children Only those applicant who fit in the category in which we are accepting will be given a blue public housing interest card. The blue public housing interest card is the first step in the application process. It is not, however; an application, rather it expresses interest and intent to apply to DHA’s Public Housing Program. The blue public housing interest card must be mailed back to the Occupancy Department. Hand returned cards will not be accepted. All blue public housing cards must be postmarked by the date specified in the public notice, if any. After submitting the blue public housing interest card, it is anticipated that interested clients will be contacted anywhere from 6 to 12 months or longer after submitting the interest card. This time frame is only an estimate and may vary depending on the family size, available vacancies and family type. A letter of invitation to apply will be the first contact between the Denver Housing Authority and the interested applicant. The client is given a letter which directs them to pick up an application, lists necessary required documents, and it explains how to proceed with the application process. Applicants have 30 days to respond to the invitation to apply letter. If the client fails to follow through with the letter in the 30 days allowed, then the letter becomes null and void and the client must re-submit a blue public housing interest card when the Public Housing Program is open for the category in which they fit. The invitation to apply letter is sent with a check off sheet that lists necessary documents. Examples of these documents include but are not limited to:
- Vital statistic birth certificates for all minor children
- Social security cards for all family members 6 years of age and older
- Photo IDs for those family members 18 and over
- If not a U.S. citizen(s), immigration documentation
- Income information
- Asset information
- Custody papers for those applying with minor children, if applicable
- Landlord reference
After the family responds to the invitation to apply letter, and once they return the application within the specified timeframe, they are set up to be interviewed with an Interviewer in the Occupancy Department. The interview is scheduled for an hour and includes the applicant signing all necessary documents as well as answering oral questions regarding the family’s specific circumstances. After this interview, Occupancy staff request all necessary 3rd party income and asset information. Once all required information is verified, the application is processed utilizing the current Admissions and Occupancy Terms and Polices of the Denver Housing Authority. If an applicant is approved, a letter is sent to the applicant notifying them of their status and if they are approved with a local preference, an approximate time frame that the applicant is expected to be on the waitlist is notated.
How does the waiting list work?
The waiting list, which is based on bedroom size, is kept current through our computer system. When vacancies become available, public housing managers contact Occupancy staff. Occupancy staff then utilizes the waitlist to offer units to the next person on the top of the waitlist. A family’s number on the wait list may vary week to week as new, incoming applicants are approved. Due to our local preference, working families are given preference points which contribute to their placement on the waitlist. Other factors which contribute to a person’s placement on the waitlist in addition to the working family preference include date and time of application and annual income. The working family preferences include those families who are working, receiving disability and/or elderly.
Do I get to choose my unit and location?
Applicants do not get to pick a unit or location. As vacancies become available in a certain bedroom size, housing offers are sent to the next family/single on the specific bedroom size waitlist.
What types of housing is available through public housing?
Public housing includes family row type housing, disabled and elderly high rise type housing, and dispersed housing. Housing offers are based on availability therefore; applicants cannot specify the type of unit, except in the case of elderly/disabled applicants and those approved for a reasonable accommodation, or the unit location.
· Housing Application Fact Sheet