Housing Authority of the County of Dauphin

Public Housing

The Public Housing Program provides subsidized housing to qualified low-income families, senior citizens and persons with disabilities. The Housing Authority owns and manages approximately 800 rental housing units in Dauphin County and selects tenants after they have completed the application process and have come to the top of the waiting list and satisfied various eligibility criteria including income, housekeeping, rental history, criminal history and financial responsibility. Recipients pay no more than 30% of their adjusted gross income for rent and utilities.

The Housing Authority operates 15 housing developments located throughout Dauphin County. Ten of these developments are located in the greater Harrisburg area while five developments are located in the northern, more rural areas of Dauphin County. The developments in northern Dauphin County are approximately 50 miles from center city Harrisburg.

WHAT IS AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR THE ELDERLY?

The Housing Authority receives financial support from the Federal Government which allows it to lease apartments at low rent to over 500 elderly and handicapped individuals in nine locations in Dauphin County. (Please see the listing below for locations.)

Housing is intended to assist low income persons who would find it difficult or impossible to afford housing at market rates.

WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR OUR SENIOR CITIZEN HOUSING?

You may be eligible for senior citizen housing if you meet the following requirements:

1. AGE or DISABILITY- You are 50 years of age or older OR disabled. For couples, at least one spouse must meet this eligibility qualification.
2. INCOME- Your total household income does not exceed the current income limits set by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
3. OTHER CRITERIA- You have met your financial obligations, do not have past behavior that likely would disturb other tenants, and can maintain your apartment in good condition.

HOW MUCH RENT MUST A LOW RENT HOUSING TENANT PAY, AND WHAT DOES IT INCLUDE?

By law, a tenant family in our senior citizen housing pays no more than 30% of its adjusted household income for rent. In addition to the dwelling unit, the rent payment also includes the use of a range and refrigerator, trash collection, and a reasonable amount of utilities.

Tenants in apartments where utilities are metered must pay for the consumption of utilities, for example, gas and electricity, above the allowances provided, and must also pay for damages to the apartment or Authority owned appliances beyond normal wear and tear.

WHAT IS THE LANDLORD-TENANT RELATIONSHIP IN OUR LEASE?

The Housing Authority (the landlord) is required to provide a decent, safe, and sanitary dwelling that adequately accommodates each tenant family accepted for admission.

We offer a flexible month to month lease. The tenant is asked to pay a security deposit which is placed in a savings account in the name of the tenant.

The tenant is required to pay rent and other charges promptly every month, to take reasonable care of the apartment and to conduct himself or herself in such a manner so as not to disturb or other tenants' peaceful enjoyment of their accommodations.

FEATURES OF THE HOUSING AUTHORITY'S APARTMENT BUILDINGS FOR THE ELDERLY

• The Housing Authority's apartment buildings for the elderly are located in pleasant, safe residential neighborhoods.
• Many of the apartment buildings are on or near bus routes.
• Hoy Towers and Bistline House are designated Senior Citizen Centers. A noon meal is served at both locations through the Senior Citizen Center Nutrition Program.
• All apartment buildings have coin-operated laundry facilities on site.
• Apartment buildings have automatic front entrance doors, card access systems, intercom systems in the vestibule, and surveillance systems.
• All high-rise and mid-rise buildings have up-to-date fire alarm systems. Most buildings have sprinkler systems.
• All elderly facilities have some apartments that have been modified for the physically disabled.
• Frost free refrigerators
• All multi-story buildings have elevators.