Special Reviews
Seattle Housing Authority will conduct special reviews of income and rent whenever a participant experiences a change in their household circumstances. This change could include a raise in income, loss of income or subtraction and/or addition of a household member.
Participants in the Project-based program are required to report any changes within ten (10) business days of the change occurring. The building managers are required to work with the participants to gather this information, verify the changes through a third party and supply the Housing Authority with the proper documentation.
It is essential that buildings work with families to report this information timely. Failing to report changes in income may result in the loss of subsidy.
Reporting changes and timelines
The building manager should have participants complete a Change of Income or Household Conditions form (PDF, 48 KB, download Adobe Reader) indicating the nature of the change.
In the event that a participant has reported a decrease in their income to the building manager, the proper paperwork must be submitted to the Porchlight Building no later than 4:30 p.m. on the 10th of the month for the decrease in rent to take effect the first of the following month. If the entire Special Review packet is incomplete or submitted after the 10th, the special review won't be effective until the first of the second month. Submitting the proper forms in a timely manner is essential.
If a participant is reporting an increase in their income and all the proper documentation is received by the Housing Authority we will give the resident a thirty (30) day notice of rent increase. The family may receive less notice if they had failed to report the income within the required time frames.
When the Housing Authority has processed the special review, it will issue a Lease Amendment of the new rent portion to the tenant and copy the building manager.
Verifications and other documents
Please consult the following guidelines when submitting special review paperwork for income and household changes. The building will need to submit a completed Change of Income or Household Conditions form (PDF, 48 KB) along with third party verifications detailed below.
New wages/Increase in wages
Acceptable verification would include a letter from the new employer that includes the start date, pay rate and number of hours worked per week and the name and phone number of the supervisor or contact person. If this is unavailable, pay stubs for at least the previous two months may be acceptable.
No longer working/Change of jobs
Provide verification from the employer (with contact information) indicating the last date worked.
Removing a household member
Provide verification that the vacating member has another residence. This could include a copy of a new lease, utility bills, letter from manager, statement from the Head of Household indicating new address and phone number, or any applicable court documents.
Adding an adult spouse/domestic partner
The building manager will need to have the proposed adult complete the Request for Addition of Adult to Family and Verification of Suitability form (this form must be signed/approved by the landlord), the HUD-9866 Release of Information form, income and asset verification (or the Zero Income Affidavit if applicable), a criminal background check, Social Security card and picture ID. Download Project-based program forms.
Adding 'other' adults
If a family wishes to add an adult who is not a spouse or domestic partner they will need to meet the Housing Authority's reasonable accommodation criteria for further consideration.
Adding a minor
The building will need to submit verification of custody/ guardianship, birth certificate, Social Security cards (for children over 6 years of age), and, if applicable, any asset verifications received for the child. (Verification forms used for tax credit properties should suffice. If you have questions about what would be acceptable as third party verification, please contact us.)
