Affordable Rentals

What are my rights under VAWA: The Violence Against Women’s Act (VAWA) provides protections for individuals of any sex, gender identity or sexual orientation who are victims of domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, or stalking. To learn more about your rights under VAWA and how to assert them, please read the notices here:  in English, in Spanish, in Mandarin.

What happens when my lottery number comes up: For units that are available by lottery, within 10 business days after the lottery is completed you will be notified (usually by email or mail) of your lottery number. When your number comes up, you will be contacted by the property manager or an agent of the property manager about next steps. Typically there are at least two steps before you can be approved as a tenant:

• Income Qualification: You will have to provide additional documentation to prove your household’s income. The agents need to determine that your household income is below the maximum income for the property, but also that you have sufficient income (or housing subsidy) to afford the rent and utilities. To learn more about the types of documentation that may be requested, click here: in English, in Spanish, in Mandarin.]
• Tenant Selection: If you income qualify, the agent will then evaluate whether you will be a good tenant, like any other landlord would. In addition to confirming that you can afford the rent and utilities, the landlord may require things like landlord references, a credit check, and/or a criminal background check for members of your household. Each landlord will have its own rules and requirements for how it selects tenants.