General : << Search Again

What are Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV)?
How do Housing Choice Vouchers work?
Who is eligible for Housing Choice Vouchers?
What is the difference in Public Housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Program?
How can I apply for housing assistance?
What areas are considered public housing?
Can I have family stay with me in public housing?
Can I have pets in public housing?
I need housing immediately, can you help me?
If my name comes to the top of the waiting list - can I be sure I'll get housing assistance?
Once I am housed in public housing can I move (port) to another jurisdiction?
If I get a voucher can I live anywhere I want?
How can I find where my name is on the waiting list?
How much rent will I have to pay?
How does the waiting list work?

Tenants : << Search Again

My public housing unit needs service or repairs. Who do I contact?

Landlords : << Search Again

My payments don't agree with what I'm expecting to receive. What should I do?
I can't see the payments made to me by the Marietta Housing Authority, what should I do?


What are Housing Choice Vouchers (HCV)?

Answer:

The HCV Program is the federal government's major program for assisting extremely low-income families, the elderly and the disabled to afford decent safe, and sanitary housing in the private market in areas where crime and poverty are low. Since housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual, participants are able to find their own housing, including single family homes and apartments.

A family that is issued a HCV is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of their choice where the owner agrees to rent under the Program.  This unit may include the family's present residence. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety as determined by the MHA.

The rental subsidy is paid to the owner directly by the MHA on behalf of the family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the owner and the amount paid by the MHA.

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My payments don't agree with what I'm expecting to receive. What should I do?

Answer:

You should contact the Housing Choice Vouchers Program, Jeanett Holmes, she can be reached at 770-419-3200 Ext. 314.

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My public housing unit needs service or repairs. Who do I contact?

Answer:

You should contact the Marietta Housing Authority at 770-419-3210, our hours of operation are from 9:00 AM until 4:00 PM Monday thru Friday.  Our after hours and weekend emergency service numbers are 770-419-3210 and 770-419-3211.

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How do Housing Choice Vouchers work?

Answer:

The family must find a suitable unit – submit the required documents and the MHA must then inspect the unit for compliance with HUD established guidelines. The Payment Standards established by the MHA does not limit or affect the amount of rent an owner can charge or the family may pay; however, the rent must be reasonable. Rent is reasonable when it does not exceed the rent being charged for similar units in the general vicinity of the unit being proposed for assistance.

The family pays rent based upon 10% of gross income, 30% of monthly gross income less deductions to which a family is entitled, whichever is the greater but may never pay more than 40% of monthly gross income less deductions. If the unit rent exceeds the Payment Standard, the family is required to pay the additional amount. The MHA uses a HUD formula to determine the rent subsidy and the family portion of the rent.

The rent subsidy paid by the MHA is generally the lesser of the established Payment Standard minus 30% of the family's adjusted income or the gross rent [owner rent + utility allowance] for the unit minus 30% of monthly adjusted income.

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I can't see the payments made to me by the Marietta Housing Authority, what should I do?

Answer:

In order to see the payments that have been made to you by the Marietta Housing Authority,

  1. If, however:
    • you've completed the Landlord sign-up process,
    • you've mailed or bought in to the MHA your form W-9, Section 3 and other documents,
    • you've received confirmation from the Marietta Housing Authority,
    • and you're still not able to see the rental payments made to you,

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Who is eligible for Housing Choice Vouchers?

Answer:

The MHA bases eligibility on the total annual gross income in the household and the family size and is limited to US citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status. In general, the family income may not exceed 50% of the median income for Cobb County or the Metropolitan Statistical Area in which the family elects to live. By law, the MHA must provide 75% of its HCV funding to applicants whose incomes do not exceed 30% of the area median income.

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What is the difference in Public Housing and the Housing Choice Voucher Program?

Answer:

The public housing program and the housing choice voucher program are federally funded program operated under federal guidelines. If you apply and receive public housing assistance, you must live in one of the MHA public housing communities. If you apply and receive Housing Choice Voucher assistance, you would receive a voucher that would assist you in the privately owned unit. 

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How can I apply for housing assistance?

Answer:

Currently the MHA waiting list is open to elderly/disable only.  If you are interested in public housing, you can apply Monday through Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. to obtain information of how to apply.  The waiting list for Housing Choice Program is closed.

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What areas are considered public housing?

Answer:

The Public Housing Program is divided in five areas which consist of Boston Homes, Branson Homes, Dorsey Manor, Fort Hill, and  Johnny Walker Homes.  (Please go to MHA web page for maps of all housing communities.)

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Can I have family stay with me in public housing?

Answer:

You can have visitors, and you are responsible for their code of conduct.  Guests will be permitted to stay on the premises for only fourteen days.

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Can I have pets in public housing?

Answer:

Yes, you can have a pet that fits within MHA regulations. The regulations require a $300 pet deposit.  You may view the MHA Pet Policy here.

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I need housing immediately, can you help me?

Answer:

The MHA does not provide emergency housing. Under our Tenant Service link there is a list of several agencies that might be able to assist you. The United Way has a 211 telephone number that can put you in contact with help.

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If my name comes to the top of the waiting list - can I be sure I'll get housing assistance?

Answer:

Once your name comes to the top of the waiting list, MHA staff will review the following checklist to determine eligibility.

  • Currently owes the Marietta Housing Authority money.
  • Determination of criminal background check.
  • Evicted from Public Housing. 

If the answer to any of the above show a negative history of eviction or criminal activity, or you owes MHA money, this will delay or prevent your public housing assistance

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Once I am housed in public housing can I move (port) to another jurisdiction?

Answer:

No, portability is not offered in Public Housing.

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If I get a voucher can I live anywhere I want?

Answer:

The MHA area of jurisdiction is limited to Cobb County, Georgia. There are restrictions on where you live; must be an approved landlord from our list or landlords who are willing to abide by the program requirements; lease must be approved; and the unit must meet our Housing Quality Standards (HQS).

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How can I find where my name is on the waiting list?

Answer:

The waiting list is dynamic and does not follow a progressive method.  Public Housing is determined by bedroom size as well as date and time of application along with any preferences.  The Housing Choice Voucher Program has preferences as well as date and time of application.  These factors cause the waiting list to change on a monthly basis.  The time for Public Housing varies from 30 days to 1 or more years depending on the bedroom size.  Presently the Housing Choice Coucher Program waiting list is 3 or more years.

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How much rent will I have to pay?

Answer:

A family rent is currently determined by HUD regulation.  Normally a family will not pay more than 30% of their monthly adjusted income for rent and utilities.

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How does the waiting list work?

Answer:

The waiting list is maintained by the date and time a person applies, the size of the family unit the person is eligible for and any preferences the person qualifies for.  When you apply for one of our programs a preference list is provided and you can check off which if any preferences apply to your situation.

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