Easy Rent Is Here!
The Easy Rent program began rolling out over a 12-month period starting in November 2008 for seniors and residents with disabilities on fixed incomes in our Public Housing and Housing Choice Section 8 programs. The Easy Rent program simplifies how we verify your income and calculate your rent.
In July 2010, KCHA adopted the following changes and improvements to the Easy Rent program, which will be implemented for all housing recertifications and updates effective on or after Nov. 1, 2010.
1. Lower the amount of gross household income used to calculate rent from 28.3 percent to 28 percent.
2. Lower the eligibility threshold for annual medical deductions from $3,000 to $2,500, allowing households with a minimum of $2,500 in out-of-pocket annual medical expenses to qualify for a reduction in rent.
3. Restructure the amount of medical deduction available to households as follows:
-Out-of-pocket Medical Expenses of $2,500-$4,999: $2,500 flat deduction
-Out-of-pocket Medical Expenses of $5,000-$7,499: $5,000 flat deduction
-Out-of-pocket Medical Expenses of $7,500-$10,000: $7,500 flat deduction
-Out-of-pocket Medical Expenses over $10,000: $10,000 flat deduction
4. Energy Assistance Supplements: Additionally, the Housing Authority has adopted a new Energy Assistance Supplement Table (former known as "utility allowances") for all households to more accurately reflect energy usage rates. New usage rates will be used in all rent calculations effective on or after Nov. 1, 2010.
5. Eliminate the Income Disregard Program. Households currently participating in this program will have their housing payment amounts calculated in accordance with the Easy Rent program at their next review.
6. For Public Housing residents, discontinue Flat Rents and Ceiling Rents (families who have been involved in these programs will be receiving information about these changes in a letter.
If you find that changes in your rent create undue hardship for your household, you are entitled to request a review of your circumstances with your case manager or property manager. This request will be forwarded to the Hardship Review team for a decision. More information about KCHA's Hardship Policy is available at the Section 8 office or your closest property management office.
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