COVID Policy - Section 8 Program
COVID-19, Coronavirus, continues to impact people throughout the country. The health and safety of our employees and clients is a priority.
Out of an abundance of caution, we will not see clients during this time until further notice. To serve the public during these uncertain times, Decatur Housing Authority's (DHA) lobby is open.
Clients may drop off paperwork in the drop box inside the lobby or documents can be scanned using the lobby scanner and emailed to the appropriate staff.
If you are dropping off paperwork, please make copies before you come to the office. No copies will be made at the office. You may also contact our office by email or telephone.
Our staff contact information appears on DHA's website.
Annual Recertifications
No annual recertification appointments are being scheduled. Until further notice, annual recertification packets will be mailed or emailed to clients. Please make sure you complete, sign and date the forms in the recertification packet that was mailed to you. Please include your email address and telephone number where indicated on the forms. Mail the completed packet with all requested documents to your Housing Specialist by the due date stated in the recertification letter or you may deposit your packet in the drop box inside DHA's lobby.
Please make copies of your documents as copies will not be provided. All family members 18 years or older must sign all forms in the recertification packet. If you have questions, please refer to our website as we are updating information as needed or you may call your Housing Specialist.
Interim Changes
Income changes apply to all adult household members. Changes in income and/or family composition must be reported in writing within ten (10) days of occurrence.
Please submit the interim change information and supporting documentation to your Housing Specialist within ten (10) days of occurrence, or you may deposit your documents in the drop box inside DHA's lobby. Please make copies of your documents as copies will not be provided. The Change of Income form and other forms are available on our website www.decaturhousing.org/forms, in DHA's lobby or they can be mailed or emailed to you. Please contact your Housing Specialist if you need a form mailed or emailed to you. Please include your email address and telephone number where indicated on the form.
Lay Off/ Loss of Employment
If you lose your job and need your rent adjusted, please follow the instructions for Interim Changes. You will need to provide documentation such as a separation notice from your employer or a letter from your employer on letterhead stating you are no longer working and noting the last date of employment. Please make copies of your documents as copies will not be provided. That information must be supplied to your Housing Specialist with the Change of Income form.
If you apply for unemployment and you are approved, you will need to report the income change to your Housing Specialist so that your rent can be adjusted. Unemployment benefits are income and must be reported. Failure to report unemployment income is a violation of the federal regulations and may result in termination of your housing assistance.
Also, if you apply for TANF and you are approved, you will need to report the income change to your Housing Specialist so that your rent can be adjusted. Failure to report TANF benefits is a violation of the federal regulations and may result in termination of your housing assistance.
Income changes apply to all adult household members and must be reported to your Housing Specialist with the applicable documents. Please make copies of your documents as copies will not be provided.
Portability Intake
No portability intake appointments are being scheduled. Until further notice, portability intake packets will be mailed or emailed to clients. Please complete, sign and date the forms in the portability intake packet that was mailed to you. Please include your email address and telephone number where indicated on the forms. Mail or email the completed packet with all requested documents to the Portability Housing Specialist, Carrie Hayes or you may deposit your packet in the drop box inside DHA's lobby. Ms. Hayes' contact information can be found here.
Please make copies of your documents as copies will not be provided. All family members 18 years or older must sign all forms in the portability packet. You will receive a letter from Ms. Hayes with additional information regarding the portability briefing video and issuance of your voucher. If you have questions, please refer to our website, www.decaturhousing.org as we are updating information as needed or you may call Ms. Hayes at 404-270-2113.
Portability Briefings
In office, face-to-face portability briefings have been suspended until further notice. The portability briefing is available for online viewing.
Annual HQS Inspections and Annual Follow-Up Inspections
Annual inspections are being performed by McCright and Associates. Letters scheduling inspections, fail letters, deficiency letters, notifications of abatements, and pass inspection letters will be generated and sent by McCright and Associates' staff. McCright staff may also call to remind you about your upcoming inspection so that you will be available to admit the inspector.
The head-of-household, a responsible adult 18 years of age or older, or the owner must be available to admit the inspector. Only one attempt will be made to reschedule the inspection in the event you are a "no show" or you do not admit the inspector to the unit. Participants must reschedule the inspection at least 48 hours before the inspection day if the head of household or a family member is ill or if you will not be at home for the inspection. You should call the inspector at least 48 hours in advance to reschedule the inspection, not wait until the inspector arrives to inform him/her of your illness. Do not call DHA to reschedule your annual inspection as inspections will not be scheduled or conducted by DHA inspectors. You will only have one opportunity to reschedule an inspection. You should make every effort to be available for the annual inspection on the first scheduled date. A proposed termination letter will be sent to participants who fail to admit the inspector after a second attempt.
Move-In Inspections
Families transferring to new units and families porting to DHA's jurisdiction must not move into the unit before the unit passes initial inspection. Move-in inspections will be conducted by DHA's Inspector as long as the family has not moved into the unit. The inspection will be rescheduled if the owner, manager, or representative is not well.
Moving to a New Unit
It may be difficult to find a new unit at this time. If you are looking for housing, check the websites, www.georgiahousingsearch.org, www.socialserve.com, or www.affordablehousing.com for listings of units to rent. Also, you may want to search online for rental housing in areas you want to reside in. When searching for housing, consider the quality of the local schools, crime rates, proximity to your job, public transportation, health care facilities, and shopping.
You will need to obtain a Sixty-Day Notice to Vacate from our website or ask your Housing Specialist to send one to you. The vacate notice must be signed by your landlord. If you are not at the end of your lease term, your landlord must give you written permission to break the lease. Keep in mind that the law allows the landlord to keep your security deposit if you break the lease.
Your Housing Specialist will process an annual recertification or update your household income and family composition, request applicable documents, and send you a briefing packet. You will need to complete and return the forms in the briefing packet with all requested documents and watch a transfer briefing video. You will be given a voucher, Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA), and HAP Estimator so you can search for housing. The voucher will be issued for 60 days, and you may request an extension.
You cannot move into the new unit before the move-out date on your notice to vacate or move out extension form. The new unit must pass the initial HQS inspection before you move in. The new unit will be inspected only if it is vacant, and the utilities are on. The owner will have 15 days to complete repairs if deficiencies are cited.