Further Information
Selecting a Housing Site or Unit - Duration of Lease - Rent Calculation - Furnishings/Amenities - Security and Pet Deposits
Pet Ownership -Community Service Requirement - Transfer of Assistance - Resident and Housing Authority Responsibilities
Selecting a Housing Site or Unit
In general, the Housing Authority of Joliet does not maintain site-specific waiting lists. Applicants who desire to reside within a specific housing development may elect to reject a total of three (3) housing assistance offers from the Housing Authority before they are removed from the Low Income Conventional Public Housing Program waiting list. Once removed from a waiting list, applicants must wait to reapply when the appropriate bedroom size waiting list reopens to the general public. Applicants who have a greater need for housing assistance may elect to accept the next available rental unit based on their personal circumstances.
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The lease term is considered to be month to month. The lease agreement automatically renews each month when a resident’s rent is paid on time.
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Rent Calculation - How is Rent Calculated?
In general, residents of the Conventional Public Housing Program pay thirty percent of their monthly-adjusted income toward rent and utilities.
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All apartments are rented as unfurnished. In general occupancy (family) housing developments, the Housing Authority supplies each unit with a stove and a refrigerator. All units are connected to a master antenna system that will provide access to basic channel reception. Cable television and telephone connections are provided within each unit; however service connection and payment must be made with the appropriate service provider.
In mixed population (elderly and individual with disabilities) housing developments, the Housing Authority supplies each unit with a stove, refrigerator and an air conditioning unit. All units are connected to a master antenna system that will provide access to basic channel reception. Cable television and telephone connections are provided within each unit; however service connection and payment must be made with the appropriate service provider. Central laundry facilities are available in each building.
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Conventional Public Housing Program applicants must pay a security deposit to the Housing Authority of Joliet prior to program admission. The Housing Authority holds the security deposit during the period a resident occupies the rental unit. Residents cannot use the security deposit to pay for rent or other charges while they reside in the rental unit.
Existing residents who elect to transfer to a new rental unit must pay the appropriate security deposit for the new rental unit prior to transferring to the new location. Transferring residents will be billed at the new rental unit for any maintenance or other charges associated with their vacated unit.
The amount of a rental unit’s security and/or pet deposit is specified within the Housing Authority of Joliet’s Admission and Continued Occupancy Policy and the rental agreement.
| Bedroom Size | Security Deposit | Pet Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| 0 Bedroom | $50.00 | $300.00 |
| 1 Bedroom | $200.00 | $300.00 |
| 2 Bedroom | $250.00 | $300.00 |
| 3 Bedroom | $300.00 | $300.00 |
| 4 Bedroom | $350.00 | $300.00 |
| 5 Bedroom | $400.00 | $300.00 |
If a resident moves-out of the Conventional Public Housing Program, the resident must leave the rental unit in a clean and undamaged condition and must furnish a forwarding address to the Housing Authority. All keys to the rental unit must be returned to the Housing Authority of Joliet’s Main Office prior to the Housing Authority returning the security deposit. The Housing Authority of Joliet’s Main Office is located at 6 South Broadway Street, Joliet, Illinois 60436.
Within 30 calendar days of moving-out of a rental unit, the Housing Authority will refund to the resident the amount of the security and/or pet deposit less any amount needed to pay the cost of unpaid rent; unit damages listed on the Move-Out Inspection Report that exceed normal wear and tear; and/or other charges billable under the Lease.
Should a resident elect to remove a pet from the premises and continue in occupancy with the Housing Authority, the pet deposit will be refunded, less any damage caused by the pet to the rental unit. The deposit amount will be sent to the resident household within 30 calendar days of the resident providing the Housing Authority with written verification of pet removal from the rental unit.
The Housing Authority will provide a vacated resident with a written list of charges against any security or pet deposit. If a vacated resident disagrees with the amount charged to the security or pet deposit refund, the Housing Authority will schedule a meeting to discuss the charges.
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Low Income Conventional Housing Program residents are allowed to own common household pets. All pets must be registered with the Housing Authority and approved of, in writing, prior to a household bringing the pet onto the premises. The Housing Authority’s pet rules are not applied to animals that assist persons with disabilities. To be excluded from the pet policy, a resident/pet owner must certify:
1. That there is a person with disabilities in the household
2. That the animal has been trained to assist with the specified disability, and
3. That the animal actually assists the person with disabilities.
A common household pet is considered to be a domesticated animal, limited to a dog, cat, bird, fish or turtle, that is traditionally kept in a household for pleasure rather than for profit-making or commercial uses. A common household pet does not include reptiles (e.g. snakes, lizards, iguanas, crocodiles/alligators, and chameleons), rodents (e.g. ferrets, gerbils, guinea pigs, hamsters, rabbits, squirrels), arachnids (e.g. spiders, scorpions), ant/termite/flea/insect farms, or any other wild, non-domesticated and/or poisonous animal.
Pets are subject to quantity, size limits and other regulations. Resident households may elect to own either one dog, one cat, or two birds, and fish or turtles that can be contained within a one 10-gallon fish tank. Residents who elect to own a dog or a cat as a household pet are required to pay a $300.00 refundable Pet Deposit. This deposit must be paid in full to the Housing Authority prior to a pet being brought onto the premises. The Pet Deposit is in addition to any other security deposit required of the tenant household.
Although temporary visiting pets might be common household pets, they are nonetheless pets that are not owned by a current Low Income Conventional Public Housing Program resident. Temporary visiting pets are therefore prohibited on Housing Authority property and will subject a household to termination of tenancy.
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If you live in a Housing Authority of Joliet Low Income Conventional Public housing Program housing development and are between 18 and 62 years of age, you are required to perform eight (8) hours of community service or economic self-sufficiency activity each month unless you qualify for and can provide verification of one of the following exemptions:
1. You are blind or disabled
You must provide proof that you receive Social Security Disability or SSI or have a pending application for either benefit. If you cannot provide this verification but still believe that you are unable to perform community service, you may request a reasonable accommodation from performing this requirement.
2. You are the primary caregiver of a blind or disabled person
You must provide a statement from the person being cared for which includes an estimate of how long you will be taking care of the person.
3. You work or take part in a work activity for eight (8) or more hours each month
You must provide verification of employment and the number of hours worked from your employer, or the organization that sponsors the job training or other qualified program must verify your participation. In addition to employment, qualifying work activities may include job training or job search activities, vocational education, attendance at a secondary school or in a course leading to a GED or the provision of childcare to a person participating in a community service program.
4. You are exempt from work activity under a federal or state welfare program
You must provide proof of the exemption from either the welfare, transitional assistance, and/or veterans services department.
5. You are a member of a household receiving assistance, benefits or services under a state or federal welfare program and are in compliance with the requirements of that State or Federal welfare program
You must provide verification of the receipt of assistance and compliance from the State or Federal department that is providing you with benefits.
If you do not qualify for one of the above-cited exemptions, you must perform eight (8) hours of community service or economic self-sufficiency activity each month.
Acceptable community service activities include volunteer work in a local school, hospital or childcare center, working with youth organizations or working with tenant or neighborhood groups. By law, involvement in political activity is not an eligible form of community service.
Economic self-sufficiency activities include job training programs, work or basic skills training, education, English language proficiency, financial or household management, apprenticeship or any program necessary to make a participant ready for work, such as mental health or substance abuse treatment.
If you are required to perform community service or economic self-sufficiency activity, you must provide the Housing Authority of Joliet with written verification that you have completed eight (8) hours of qualifying activity per month to the next recertification appointment for your household.
IF YOU OR ANY MEMBER OF YOUR HOUSEHOLD DOES NOT PERFORM COMMUNITY SERVICE OR OTHER QUALIFYING ACTIVITIES AS REQUIRED, THE HOUSING AUTHORITY MUST, BY LAW, TERMINATE YOUR DWELLING LEASE AND EVICT THE ENTIRE HOUSEHOLD FOR NON-COMPLIANCE WITH THE COMMUNITY SERVICE REQUIREMENT.
Please contact on-site Housing Managers for additional information or to answer any questions regarding community service. This policy applies to each household member who is not exempt.
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Transfer to Housing Choice Voucher Program
Once Housed, Can I Transfer My Assistance Into the Housing Choice Voucher Program?
No. There is a separate application process that is required in order to obtain housing assistance through the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Transferring of Conventional Public Housing Program assistance to the Housing Choice Voucher Program is not allowed by regulation and the Housing Authority.
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Housing Authority and Resident Reponsibilities
Responsibilities and duties under the Conventional Public Housing Program:
Make timely payment of monthly rent to the Housing Authority in accordance with the dwelling lease agreement. Annually report to the Housing Authority any changes to the household’s composition, income and deduction sources, and assets. Report crime to management and the local police department Maintain the rental unit and common areas Report maintenance problems to the Housing Authority Comply with the dwelling lease agreement
Housing Authority of Joliet Responsibilities
Provide safe, decent, and affordable low-income housing options to residents of the City of Joliet and Will County Accept applications from families and individuals requesting housing assistance, maintain a program waiting list, and minimize vacancies Determine applicant initial and continued eligibility in accordance with the Housing Authority’s Admission and Continue Occupancy Policy (ACOP) Conduct criminal background checks on applicant and current resident household members 18 years of age and older Annually re-certify/verify information supplied by households regarding family composition, income and deduction sources, and assets Conduct annual rental unit and major systems inspections Maintain housing development rental units and common areas Monitor program performance Comply with HUD, Federal, State and local government rules and regulations Enforce the dwelling lease agreement back to top