RAD Q&A
BURLINGTON HOUSING AUTHORITY RAD RESIDENT MEETINGS QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
1. Is the Housing Authority going to move us?
The Housing Authority will contract with a professional moving company who will move all tenants to the temporary unit and/or to the permanent unit once construction is complete.
2. Is the Housing Authority going to pay for U-Haul trucks?
No, the Housing Authority will contract with a professional moving company that will move all residents.
3. Where do we move to?
You will be assigned to a temporary housing unit elsewhere in the project at one of the six different locations, during construction and then you will be assigned to a permanent unit within the project. Some of you may only move one time to a newly renovated unit.
4. We are in the middle of recertifications, are we now on a month-to-month lease?
All tenants should complete your current recertification and your current public housing lease remains in effect. When we complete the conversion from public housing to project based rental assistance, you will sign a new lease at that time.
5. Is this going to be Section 8 housing?
After the conversion, the units will provide project based rental assistance. Burlington Housing Authority does not administer a Housing Choice Voucher Program so you will not be able to receive a voucher to move someplace else. The rental assistance will only be available if you stay in the unit.
6. Can we move back to the same residence?
All tenants have a guaranteed right to a unit in the project. However, you may not move back to the same unit. RAD requires that tenants be moved to a unit that is appropriate for your family size.
7. If there is no ceiling rent any longer, does that mean there is no limit to the amount of rent we pay?
The maximum rent for existing tenants will be 30% of your monthly adjusted income. If there is a rent increase due to the removal of ceiling rents will be phased-in over a three year period.
8. Will the FSS program continue and how do we get into the homeownership program?
The Family Self-Sufficiency Program will continue but BHA does not offer a homeownership program. FSS participants interested in homeownership will be referred to other agencies that provide first time homebuyer services.
9. Will you move us to a unit where the kids can go to the same school or will the school make arrangements to transport our kids?
BHA will be working with the school district to make arrangements to keep kids in the same schools in so far as possible.
10. Will you provide storage and we only take personal items with us to the unit we move to?
BHA will not provide storage. You will need to take all items with you to the alternate housing unit. If you have to move twice, you will need to take all items with you for both moves.
11. What size unit will we move to?
RAD requires that families be "right-sized" within the project so you will be moved to a unit appropriate for the size of your family. The number of bedrooms will depend on the number, age relationship and sex of household members. BHA will discuss individual circumstances with each household as it would not be appropriate to discuss your individual household on this call.
12. Is there a website we can go to for more information?
The Housing Authority website https://www.burlingtonha.org/ will have the power point presentation used for this meeting today along with questions and answers.
13. What size units will be available after this is done?
The project will continue to have the same size units, from efficiency apartments to five bedroom apartments.
14. Will there be more meetings between now and the closing?
Yes, we will be hosting additional meetings to keep everyone up to date on the progress of the project. Future meetings will held for residents at each of the project locations as the phasing for moving and construction will be on a property by property basis.
15. Is the appropriates size unit when we move to the permanent apartment be based on the size of our family or the number of children?
The appropriate size unit will depend on the number, age relationship and sex of household members. BHA will discuss individual circumstances with each household as it would not be appropriate to discuss your individual household on this call.
16. Will we have to get new mailbox keys for each unit we move to?
We have not yet determined protocol for mail but will be working with the post office to determine the easiest way to avoid more than one address change during the relocation process.
17. Will parents have to share a bedroom with younger children of the same sex?
The appropriate size unit will depend on the number, age relationship and sex of household members. BHA will discuss individual circumstances with each household as it would not be appropriate to discuss your individual household on this call.
18. Will we continue to pay utilities on two units while we move?
No, no one will pay utilities on more than one unit at any time. To avoid unnecessary utility transfers, we will maintain the utilities in your first unit in your name. If you move to a temporary unit, BHA will pay for those utilities. If the utilities in your first unit exceed your average monthly costs, BHA will reimburse you for any additional amount. If you move only once, the utilities will transfer at the time of the move.
19. What is the maximum income limit?
For existing tenants, there is no maximum income limit. However, when 30% of your income equal the total rent on the unit, you will no longer receive any rental assistance. You may stay in the unit and you will continue to pay 30% of your income regardless of the total rent amount.
20. Are apartments going to be converted to all electric?
No, the utilities will remain the same.
21. Is there another website other than the BHA website that will provide more information about unit sizes?
The HUD website is https://www.hud.gov/ However, HUD only provides guidance and the actual units sizes are based on the policies of the local housing authority. BHA must assure that the rental assistance is not greater than the amount necessary for the family size and at the same time assure that no family is overcrowded.