Federal Benefits Chart
Public Housing Overview
Public housing was established to provide rental units for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities.
Key Decision Points
- Upon incarceration = tenant families required to inform the local Public Housing Authority (PHA) of a change in financial circumstances or family composition
- Upon release = individual connected to local PHA office to determine eligibility for housing assistance
Federal Funding Agency
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
Relevant State/Local Agency, Office, and Contacts
Use the space below to write notes about which state/local agency or office oversees this benefit in your area and any related contacts. You can print this page for your records or log in to save your response for future reference.
Features
Once accepted into public housing, PHAs will determine rental rates for public housing on the basis of gross income and other factors.
Eligibility
- Income
Public housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. Local housing agencies determine eligibility based upon the applicant's annual gross income and citizenship status. Staff of these agencies determine whether the individual qualifies on the basis of being elderly, having a disability, or having a family.
Potential Limitations
PHAs or any federally assisted housing provider may screen or refuse to house people who have been convicted of certain offenses; this practice is also known as the "One Strike and You're Out" policy.
In addition, formerly incarcerated individuals may not be immediately considered “homeless” and therefore not prioritized for placement in agencies that use homelessness as a priority need. See the Report of the Re-Entry Policy Council, Policy Statement 30, for further discussion of definitions of homelessness.
Finally, the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (the 1996 “welfare law”) prohibits states from providing public housing to anyone who is in violation of his or her probation or parole.