Applications to Be Taken for Rent Aid

After exhausting a long waiting list begun five years ago, the city will begin taking applications on Sept. 6 for a federal rental-assistance program.

The program helps low-income families, senior citizens and disabled people pay rent until they can pay on their own. City officials say recipients stay with the program for an average of five years, but there is no time limit.

“Hopefully, people are able to get on their feet, but Congress hasn’t made any limitations,� said Lynnette M. Bielanski, Housing Authority manager. “The elderly and disabled are on fixed incomes, so its harder for them to get off the program.�

Qualified participants pay 30% of their adjusted household income for rent. The remainder of the rent is paid for by the Housing Authority, using funds received from the federal government.

About 1,500 people may participate at a time. Each year, the city inspects the housing units rented under the program and evaluates each recipient’s economic progress.

In 1991, the city opened the application process expecting about 800 applicants, the average number of families that had applied in previous years. Instead, more than 3,500 applicants crowded the Housing Authority’s office in City Hall, and police had to be called to control the crowd.

The waiting list now has been reduced to 275.

This time, the authority will not distribute or take applications directly at the housing office. Applications will be distributed as inserts in local newspapers and will be available at library branches and local welfare and Social Security offices. They will be accepted through Sept. 30 via mail or fax.

The city expects to receive up to 4,000 applications.

Information: (714) 741-5150.