Public Housing Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What is Public Housing?
A: Public Housing is apartments that are leased to an eligible family for a rental amount that is based on the family's income, which is payable on the first day of every month. The family must enter into a lease with the housing authority for a period of no less than one year. As with rental units on the open market, the lease is a legal binding contract that both parties, the housing authority and the resident must comply with.
Q: Who is eligible?
A: Public housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. OHA determines your eligibility based on: 1) annual gross income; 2) whether you qualify as elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family; and 3) U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status. If you are eligible, the OHA will check your references to make sure you and your family will be suitable tenants.
Q: What's the difference between Housing Choice Voucher (formerly Section 8) and Public Housing?
A: Public Housing: The OHA is the landlord, and the rental assistance is directly tied to the unit. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers Federal aid to housing authority that manage the housing for low-income residents at rents they can afford. HUD furnishes technical and professional assistance in planning, developing, and managing these developments.
The Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) Program is funded by federal money allocated to the Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD). Through HUD, this money is then disbursed to the housing authority to help administer the Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance program, which provides eligible low-income families with the financial assistance they need each month to cover rent costs. The OHA directly pays the landlord on behalf of the family each month.
Q: Do I need income to apply for Public Housing?
A: No.
Q: How do I apply for Public Housing?
A: The Ocala Housing Authority accepts online applications only for the Public Housing when the waiting list is open.
Q: What happens after I complete an application for Public Housing?
A: OHA must review each completed application received and make a preliminary assessment of the family's eligibility. Applicants will be placed on the waiting list according to OHA's preference(s), if applicable, and the date and time their complete application is received by the OHA. Currently the Ocala Housing Authority has the following preferences and are ranked as follows:
- Literally Homeless (10 pts)
- Reentry into Marion County from a Correctional Institution (10 pts) - Must meet the screening criteria under the OHA's Criminal/Drug/Alcohol Abuse Policy and reentering Marion County from a correctional institution.
- Victim of Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault or Stalking (15 pts)- A record from Federal, State or local law enforcement agency, court or administrative agency that documents the incident of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking within the past two years. Examples of such records include police reports, protective orders, injunctions, restraining orders or a current resident of the Domestic Violence Shelter.
- Natural Disaster (15 pts.) - Existing public housing or voucher participants displaced by a declared natural disaster.
Q: I am on the waiting list, and I have a change of information. Do I need to report it?
A: While the family is on the waiting list, the family must inform the OHA, within 10 business days of changes in family size or composition, preference status (if applicable), or contact information, including current residence, mailing address, and phone number. The changes must be submitted in writing.
Q: Where are the Public Housing units located?
A: The OHA owns 186 Public Housing units that are in the city of Ocala. Units range in size from efficiency (0) to five (4) bedrooms
The following is a list of our properties and their locations:
- Deer Run (Next to Vanguard High School) - 2804 NE 4th Court (Efficencies,1 ,2 3-, & 4-Bedroom units)
- Pavilion Oaks (behind the Livestock Pavilion) - 2203 NW 1st Avenue (1,2,3 & 4 Bedroom units)
- Shady Hollow (Behind Sonny's BBQ on College Road) - 802 SW 19th Avenue Road (1,2-, & 3-Bedroom units)
- Pine Gardens (Across from the main Post Office) - 515 SW 2nd Avenue (Efficiencies & 1 Bedroom units)
Q: Can I request a certain community?
A: No. You will be offered the first available unit to the highest-ranking applicant who qualifies for that unit size or type, or who requires the accessibility features.
Q: Can I refuse an apartment that has been offered to me?
A: Yes, and you will have one offer remaining. If you decline the 2nd offer, you will be removed from the waiting list. If you still wish to participate in our program, you will need to re-apply.
Q: Is there a Security Deposit?
A: Yes, Applicants will be required to pay their security deposit prior to entering into a lease. The security deposit is:
$200.00 - Efficiency/1 Bdrm
$250.00 - 2 Bdrm
$300.00 - 3 Bdrm
$350.00 - 4 Bdrm
Q: What are the amenities?
A: A range (stove), refrigerator. Shady Hollow has washer / dryer hook-ups in the two- and three-bedroom section. On-site laundry facility for the other locations, except Pavilion Oaks. Some include storage space and playgrounds. Free parking is provided at all sites if the vehicle has been issued a parking permit. 24hr maintenance is provided along with lawn service and pest control treatment.
Q: Can I have pets?
A: Yes, but you must pay a $150 non-refundable pet fee. Height/Weight restriction of 24"/25lbs for dogs and cats, no reptiles, or rodents. You must submit documentation showing that the pet is spayed/neutered and all shots are up to date. The fee must be paid, and the paperwork submitted BEFORE the animal can be brought into the unit.
Q: If I have a maintenance issue, who do I call?
A: For maintenance issues, tenants call our main office from 7:30am to 5:30pm, Monday to Thursday at 352.369.2636 press 0 or dial Ext 221.
If it is Friday, after hours or weekends, please call 352.369.2636 and follow the prompt to our on-call maintenance technician.
