If you submitted an application in November 2005, you should have received a notification. In June 2006, OCHA sent letters to all applicants to confirm their placement on the waiting list: If you have not received a confirmation letter – please contact us immediately (see #8 below).
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Why do I have to wait so long?
Housing Authorities are funded to help a limited number of households. OCHA assists up to 9,619 of which approximately 70 households leave the program each month, and these Housing Vouchers can then be issued to applicants on the waiting list. OCHA usually schedules from 100 to 200 applicants from the waiting list per month. Congress has not increased funding for additional Vouchers since 2003.
Many thousands of persons who need housing assistance have applied on the waiting list. In order to give everyone a fair chance, applicants are randomly placed within “preference groups”. If you live or work in one of OCHA’s 31 participating cities you qualify for a “member preference”. Applicants who are elderly, disabled or working receive an additional preference. In addition, U.S. veterans are placed ahead of non- veterans in all preference groups. These factors determine your placement on the waiting list. |
| 2. |
What are OCHA’s preference categories?
A “preference” is a ranking system that allows applicants who meet certain approved conditions to be placed ahead of other applicants on the waiting list. OCHA’s Housing Commission determines the policy for establishing preference categories. Under the current policy, the primary applicant/head of household or spouse can qualify for a preference as follows:
- Member preference: must live or work in OCHA’s jurisdiction (31 participating cities/localities)
- Elderly, disabled and working preferences: (These are all one category)
a. Elderly = is age 62 or over
b. Disabled = is considered to be disabled by a medical professional for at least 12 months from the date of pre-application.
c. Working = is to have earned income: working at least 20 hours per week for 42 weeks in any one-year period from the date of pre-application.
- Veteran preference: is a U.S. veteran or spouse of a U.S. veteran (veterans are placed above non-veterans in each preference category
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| 3. |
What is OCHA's jurisdiction and how do I qualify for a “member” preference.
OCHA's jurisdiction includes 31 cities and unincorporated areas in Orange County, California. Cities that are not in OCHA’s jurisdiction are: Anaheim, Garden Grove, and Santa Ana along with other cities outside Orange County. You qualify for a member preference if you live or work in OCHA’s jurisdiction. |
| 4. |
Is there anything I can do to give me a better position number?
No, your position is a random placement number generated only one time by the computer system.
However, if your eligibility for a preference changes, this may change your position on the waiting list. For example if you move from a nonmember city to one of our 31 participating cities, this would place you into the member preference.
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| 5. |
What changes do I need to report?
Be sure to report if you move, become 62 years old, or become employed. As indicated above, this may help you qualify for an additional preference on the waiting list. Please report all changes in writing to the address stated below. |
| 6. |
When will I get my voucher and what do I have to do?
When your name reaches the top of the waiting list, OCHA will send you an appointment letter for your eligibility interview. After you complete the eligibility process, you will be sent another appointment letter to attend a briefing session. At this briefing, you will join other families and receive helpful information about using the Housing Choice Voucher, which is then issued to you. |
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Are there any exceptions for housing emergencies so I can receive help immediately?
OCHA is not allowed to move applicants ahead of others on the waiting list for “emergencies”. Federal regulations and local policies require OCHA to apply the preference policies equally to all applicants to ensure equal access to vouchers. However, persons should call #211 for alternative emergency and transitional housing resources. |
| 8. |
I did not receive a confirmation letter, what should I do?
Contact OCHA in writing. Be sure to include: your full name, social security number, address and method you applied (i.e. by fax, letter or on-line). Please provide us with your confirmation number if you have it, or a copy of the application, or fax transmission. Also include your telephone number. Letters should be addressed to:
Orange County Housing Authority
Attention: Waiting List Unit
1770 N. Broadway
Santa Ana, CA 92706 |
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