The Public Housing Program
(The Public Housing Waitlist is Presently Closed)

The Public Housing Program is a rental assistance program governed by 24 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The purpose of the program is to provide housing assistance to low income families in multifamily dwellings, owned and operated by the Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority (NNRHA).

Under the Public Housing Program eligible applicants are assigned to one of our public housing communities. Families pay the greater of 30 percent of their adjusted income or 10 percent of the gross monthly income as tenant rent. The NNRHA has an established minimum rent of $50.

A family may be a single person, or a group of persons.

Families or single persons may apply for assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher Program and the Public Housing Program if and when the waiting lists are open. All announcements include the date, time, telephone number, and TDD Number (for the hearing impaired) that the family must call to schedule an appointment to process an application for housing assistance.

The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program
(The Housing Choice Voucher Waitlist is Presently Closed)

The Housing Choice Voucher Program in Newport News, Virginia is administered by the NNRHA. A family must be determined eligible for Housing Choice Voucher Program assistance. Eligibility for a housing voucher is determined by the NNRHA based on total gross income and family composition. Housing assistance is limited to U. S. citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status. If the NNRHA determines that a family is eligible, the family name is placed on the HCV waiting list. Once the family name is reached on the waiting list, the Housing Authority contacts the family to issue a housing voucher. The housing choice voucher places the search for housing in the hands of the family. The unit selected by the family must meet HUD Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and the rent must be reasonable in accordance with NNHRA rent reasonableness requirements. The NNRHA must inspect the unit to determine if the unit meets requirements prior to placing the unit on the HCV Program and authorizing the family to move into the unit.

Rent Subsidy-The NNRHA calculates the maximum subsidy allowable is approximately the lower of the Housing Authority payment standard or gross rent minus Total Tenant Payment (TTP) which is the highest of 30% of the family’s monthly adjusted income, 10% of the gross total monthly income, welfare rent or minimum rent. The NNRHA has an established minimum rent of $50.

Eligibility Criteria for Public Housing (PH) and HCV

Eligibility for assistance under both the Public Housing and Housing Choice Voucher Program is determined by a combination of statutory requirements, Federal regulations, and local policies. Under both the Public Housing Program and the Housing Choice Voucher Program, eligibility for housing assistance is determined by family composition, household income and NNRHA criteria.

First, the applicant must be determined to be a family, single persons included, under the HUD and local definitions. Second, the applicant’s household income based on family composition must not exceed the eligibility income limits set forth by HUD. In addition, criminal history reports are conducted for all applicants. The Housing Authority’s selection of applicants for participation in the HCV Program is not a representation by the Authority to the owner concerning expected behavior of the family in tenancy of a unit, or the family’s suitability for tenancy.

Income Requirements (Housing Choice Voucher and Public Housing)

A family or single persons may be within the income limits as set forth by HUD. The household’s income must be equal to or less than the HUD income limits.

A family or single person whose household income does not exceed 80 percent of the median income for the area is determined low income. Low income families are eligible for housing assistance under the Public Housing Program.

A family or single person who household income does not exceed 50 percent of the median income for the area is determined very low income. Very low income families are eligible for the rental assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher Program, the Mod-Rehab Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Program, and/or the Public Housing Program.

A family or single person whose household income does not exceed 30 percent of the median income for the area is determined extremely low-income. Extremely low income families are eligible for rental assistance under the Housing Choice Voucher Program, the Mod-Rehab Single Room Occupancy Program, and/or the Public Housing Program.

** Subject to change Annually.

Important Documents to Bring With You on the Day of Your Appointment for Housing Assistance

When applying for housing assistance, please remember to bring the documents listed below with you on the day of your appointment.

• Birth Certificate for all family members listed on the housing assistance application;
• Picture I. D. for anyone 18 and older;
• Social Security Cards for all household members listed on the housing application;
• Marriage License if applicable;
• Income Verification for all sources of household income;
• Current Lease or Rent Receipt;
• Current Utility Bills;
• Current Bank Statements;
• Current Mailing Addresses for Employer, Landlord, and/or Childcare Provider;
• Child Support Verification;
• Child Care Verification.

Appointments are scheduled by telephone, only. NO WALK IN INTERVIEWS WILL BE ACCEPTED. To provide an equal opportunity for all families, the NNRHA does not have a priority ranking policy for scheduling appointments. All appointments are scheduled according to the date and time of call. When the waiting list is closed, a permanent notice will be posted on this web site.

Completing the Application Process

The application process usually takes 90 days. NNRHA Staff must wait for all verifications and documents to return in order to determine family eligibility. It is very important to advise your case worker if you move, change address, and/or change telephone numbers.

The Newport News Redevelopment and Housing Authority has a Limited English Proficiency (LEP) Plan in place. Part of this plan includes a language bank that would assist an applicant or participant with interpretation if they speak languages other than English. Services are also available for the hearing impaired.

If an applicant or participant has a disability we can make a reasonable accommodation.