Public housing was established to provide decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. Public housing comes in all sizes and types, from scattered single family houses to high-rise apartments for elderly families. There are approximately 1.2 million households living in public housing units, managed by some 3,300 HAs. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers Federal aid to local housing agencies (HAs) 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.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE?
Public housing is limited to low-income families and individuals. An HA 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 HA will check your references to make sure you and your family will be good tenants. HAs will deny admission to any applicant whose habits and practices may be expected to have a detrimental effect on other tenants or on the project's environment.
HOW IS RENT DETERMINED?
Your rent, which is referred to as the Total Tenant Payment (TTP) in this program, would be based on your families anticipated gross annual income less deductions, if any. HUD regulations allow HAs to exclude from annual income the following allowances: $480 for each dependent; $400 for any elderly family, or a person with a disability; and some medical deductions for families headed by an elderly person or a person with disabilities. Based on your application, the HA representative will determine if any of the allowable deductions should be subtracted from your annual income. Annual income is the anticipated total income from all sources received from the family head and spouse, and each additional member of the family 18 years of age or older.
The formula used in determining the TTP is the highest of the following, rounded to the nearest dollar:
(1) 30 percent of the monthly adjusted income. (Monthly Adjusted Income is annual income less deductions allowed by the regulations);
(2) 10 percent of monthly income;
(3) welfare rent, if applicable; or
(4) a $25 minimum rent or higher amount (up to $50) set by an HA.
Currently the Aiken Housing Authority have 244 families (544 occupants) living in public housing. The Public Housing developments consist of Stoney-Gallman Townhomes, Bradby Homes, Hahn Village, New Hope I & II, Villa Oaks, and Crosland Park.
Stoney-Gallman Townhomes was placed in operations of September 30, 1951 as a Low Rent Public Housing Development. It is the first housing development in Aiken. It is located on Barnwell Avenue, Aiken, SC consisting of 44 units.
Bradby Homes is an 18 unit development designated to house public housing residents who are considered seniors (55 years of age of older). It is located on Marlboro and Florence Streets (Northside of Aiken). These units were placed into service July 30, 1966.
Hahn Village was placed into service May 31, 1979 and consists of 100 units. These units are at 100 Rogers Terrace where the Aiken Housing Authority’s Administration office is located. Newly installed security cameras are placed throughout the complex providing added security to the residents.
New Hope I is a public housing development located in Graniteville, SC off of Aiken/Augusta Highway. The units were placed into service December 31, 1981 and consist of 29 units.
New Hope II was placed into service March 31, 1983 and is located in Graniteville, SC off of Aiken/Augusta Highway. The development consists of 40 units.
Villa Oaks located in Langley, SC and consist of 12 rental units in which we are partnered with Aiken Barnwell Mental Health Center.
Crosland Park currently consist of our newly built public housing houses. There are two houses, a two (2) bedroom and three (3) bedroom home located on Morton Avenue. The homes were placed into service in 2010.
The Public Housing Department sponsors an annual “Back to School Bash” for all developments, in which local agencies and organizations participate in the success of our event. Other local organizations partner in our annual Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners to the residents as well as toy giveaways. Various companies present seminars to the residents providing beneficial information on improving health, child abuse awareness, financial counseling, housekeeping classes, and homeownership classes.
Each development has an active Resident Association that ensures the voices of the residents are heard and activities are planned providing community involvement for all ages. Meetings are held monthly with the Public Housing Property Manager informing the residents of new changes within the agency, input from residents, and community outreach activities.
The Aiken Housing Authority’s public housing program ensures valuable housing and suitable living accommodations to the residents we serve. Our goal is to provide safe, decent, and sanitary housing to all residents residing in each development. The public housing program is a benefit to the residents, surrounding areas, and the city of Aiken as a whole.
