The minimum rent for public housing is $50.00. A family may request a hardship exemption and the Aiken Housing Authority will suspend the minimum rent the month following the request. The rent will be suspended until the agency can determine 1) whether the hardship truly exists and 2) whether the hardship is temporary or long term.
An Economic Hardship is determined by the following criteria:
When the family has lost eligibility or is waiting on an eligibility determination for a Federal, State or local assistance program. This includes a family that has a member who is a non-citizen lawfully admitted for permanent residence under the Immigration and Nationality Act who would be entitled to public benefits;
When the family would be evicted because it is unable to pay the minimum rent;
When the income of the family has decreased because of changed circumstances, including loss of employment; and
When a death has occurred in the family.
Temporary Hardship:
The Aiken Housing Authority may determine that there is a qualifying hardship, but it is of a temporary nature. In this case, the minimum rent will be suspended for a period of 90 days from the time of determination. At the end of the 90-day period, the minimum rent will be imposed retroactively to the time of suspension. The Aiken Housing Authority can set up a repayment agreement in accordance with Section 19 of the ACOP for any rent not paid during the suspension period. The family will not be evicted for nonpayment of rent during the suspension period.
Long-term Hardship:
If the Aiken Housing Authority determines a hardship to be long-term, the family will be exempt from the minimum rent requirement until the hardship no longer exists.
No Hardship:
If no hardship is determined, the minimum rent is reinstated, including requiring back payment of minimum rent for the suspension period.