Where and When:

Applications are accepted at our main office located at 222 Hap Court in Olathe anytime from 8:00 a.m.until noon and 1:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m. Monday through Friday. You may also CLICK HERE to download the application online.

What to Bring with You:

Applicants should bring the following information with them:

* Social Security Cards for all members of the household. We will make copies of these to verify social security numbers.

* I-9 or “Green” Cards for immigrants in the household. We will make copies of these to verify eligibility for federal housing programs.

* Information on current income and assets . We will ask the applicant to report current gross income - before any taxes and other expenses are deducted; any assets such as checking, savings, retirement plans or property; and sources of income such as employment, child support, social security, or welfare assistance.

* Residency for the last five years . Applicants will need to provide the addresses of all the places they have lived during the last five years and the names, addresses and telephone number of the appropriate landlord. This information must be provided for

each adult member of the household.

What You Can Expect During Your Visit:

Applicants will be asked to fill out an application form. The application form asks questions about members of the applicant’s household and their current income and assets, as well as questions about where members of the household have lived for the past five years, and their criminal history. Upon completion of the application, an Application Clerk will review the application with the applicant and enter the information into our computer system. The Application Clerk will explain the various housing options LHA offers and ask the applicant which options they wish to apply for. Applicants will be asked to sign additional forms authorizing the release of information and certifying that the information provided is correct. The applicant will receive a receipt stating the date the application was made and for which programs.

How Long Will the Application Process Take?

The length of time it takes to complete an application varies depending upon how busy we are and how long we spend discussing an application with a client. On average it takes about 30 minutes to complete the application, but clients should allow one hour so they will not be rushed.

What if the Person Applying Does Not Speak English or is impaired?

Because of the confidential nature of much of the information discussed during the application process, most clients bring a trusted friend or family member to interpret for them. The Housing Authority will provide an interpreter on an appointment basis. If we arrange for the service, we will pay for it. If the client arranges for an interpreter, the client is responsible for any payments to that person.

If needed, MCHA will provide assistance to vision or hearing impaired persons conducting business with LHA. Even though we may already have a Spanish-speaking person on our staff, assistance should be requested in advance. LHA encourages non-English speaking persons to obtain their own interpretation services for visits to the LHA offices.

Can I Apply By Mail?

Yes, but we strongly recommend that applicants come into the office to apply. It is very difficult to discuss the various housing options by mail or telephone or to obtain additional needed information quickly by mail, both of which could hold up the processing of an application. Mail applications are accepted.

What Are All the Housing Choices?

LHA owns and/or manages 1300+ units of rental housing in Lincoln. Applicants may be eligible for some, but not all, of LHA’s housing choices depending upon family size, age and income. LHA also administers the Section 8 Rental Assistance Program in Lancaster County. The Section 8 Rental Assistance Program is a federal program which assists low income families rent housing from private landlords. Section 8 rental assistance can also be used in many LHA units. It is possible for an applicant to be eligible for the Section 8 program, but not eligible for LHA rental properties. It is also possible for an applicant to earn too much income for the Section 8 program, but qualify for other LHA rental properties. During the application interview, the Application Clerk will explain all of the housing options to the client and discuss which option might best suit the client’s needs.

Waiting Lists

Most of LHA’s housing options have waiting lists. We are able to provide assistance to new clients only as current clients give up or lose their Section 8 assistance or move-out of one of our properties. An applicant’s place on any waiting list is determined by the date and time of the application unless an applicant qualifies for a “Preference” (see below). For the Section 8 program, the Application Clerk will tell the client what application date we are currently serving off the Section 8 waiting list. For LHA rental properties the length of the waiting list varies greatly by property, unit size, number of applicants and the rental market. For some properties the wait may be as long as a year. For others there may be units available immediately or in the very near future. A Leasing Agent can provide more specific information on the length of the wait for a particular property.

What are Waiting List Preferences?

An applicant with a “Preference” is placed higher on the waiting list than others without a preference. Preferences are available to applicants for Section 8 assistance and federally subsidized (Public Housing) units. Section 8 applicants may qualify for a preference if they are homeless, displaced due to domestic violence, or are participating in a job training or self-sufficiency program. Applicants for Public Housing units may qualify for a preference if they are homeless, displaced due to domestic violence or have been working for at least 6 months. The Housing Authority must verify all preferences with a third party organization before an applicant qualifies. The Application Clerk will discuss preferences at the time of application.

How Does an Applicant Know if their Application is Approved?

Applicants are notified in writing whether or not their application is approved with regard to each program or property they applied for. If an application is denied, the notification letter will state the reasons for the denial. Applicants will receive separate notifications for Section 8 and LHA rental unit applications. All Section 8 applicants who appear to meet income eligibility guidelines for the program are placed on the waiting list as soon as all required application information is received. During the application interview, the Application Clerk will provide the applicant with a written statement listing any needed additional information; the applicant will be given a deadline for submitting the information. If the deadline is not met, the application will be canceled.

Applications for LHA rental property are extensively screened; a process which can take from one week to two months, before an application is approved and added to the waiting list. The Housing Authority checks landlord references, credit history, criminal history, and in some cases conducts an in-home interview (called a “Pre Housing Visit”) prior to determining whether to rent to a particular applicant. The Housing Authority reviews an applicant’s past rental history to determine whether we can reasonably expect the applicant to pay rent and other fees on time, take good care of the property, get along with neighbors, refrain from criminal activity, and comply with reasonable rules and requirements. Usually a long screening process is due to scheduling a “Pre Housing” appointment and/or difficulty obtaining previous landlord references.