Question & Answer (Expand All Answers)

• General FAQs
  
  
  • What Amenities are close to the Van Buren Housing Authority?
    
    

    • We are a scattered complex so not all of our units are close to all of the amenities listed. We are located within walking distance of Summit Medical Center, Bank of the Ozarks, the Van Buren Public Library, some schools, restaurants, gas stations, churches, shopping and drug stores. Within a short distance from VBHA you will find the Van Buren Police Department, court house, municipal complex, grocery stores, child care centers and the Pointer Football Field just to mention a few places. The Resident Center is equipped with a computer lab that is available for resident use.

      Within walking distance:

      • Summit Medical Center
      • Bank of the Ozarks
      • Van Buren Public Library
      • Some schools
      • Restaurants
      • Service stations
      • Churches
      • Shopping
      • Drug stores

      Within a short distance from us:

      • Van Buren Police Department
      • Court house
      • Municipal complex
      • Grocery stores
      • Child care centers
      • Pointer Football Field

       

  • What type of units are available?
    
    

    • We have 122 family units scattered throughout the complex.

      10 units are 1-bedroom @ 600 sq. ft.
      14 units are 3-bedroom @ 1057 sq. ft.
      4 units are 1-bedroom @ 720 sq. ft.
      10 units are 3-bedroom @ 1058 sq. ft.
      28 units are 2-bedroom @ 816 sq. ft.
      2 units are 4-bedroom @ 1232 sq. ft.
      12 units are 2-bedroom @ 941 sq. ft.
      3 units are 4-bedroom @ 1124 sq. ft.
      10 units are 2-bedroom @ 921 sq. ft.
      1 unit is a 4-bedroom @ 1130 sq. ft.
      28 units are 3-bedroom @ 964 sq. ft.

      Eight of the family units are designated as handicap apartments that are 100% handicap friendly.

       

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      We have 76 elderly units scattered throughout the complex.

      8 units are 1-bedroom @ 600 sq. ft.
      50 units are 1-bedroom @ 795 sq. ft.
      16 units are 1-bedroom @ 720 sq. ft.
      2 units are 2-bedroom @ 816 sq. ft.

      Four of the elderly units are designated as handicap apartments that are 100% handicap friendly.

      All of the Handicap units are equipped with:

      • Emergendy call switches in the bathrooms and bedrooms.
      • Easy access to the kitchen, bathroom sinks, thermostat and light switched.
      • Roll-in shower stall with a hand held shower head.

       

       

       

  • How much wlll rent be?
    
    

    • Rent is based on 30% of the adjusted income, so it could be as low as $50 up to the flat rent.

      One Bedroom units currently rent for a flat fee of $297 per month.
      Two Bedroom units currently rent for a flat fee of $370 per month.
      Three Bedroom units currently rent for a flat fee of $493 per month.
      Four Bedroom units currently rent for a flat fee of $536 per month.

      The tenants pay the gas and electric and VBHA pays for the water, sewer and trash removal.

  • What are units furnished with?
    
    

    • All units are furnished with:

      • gas range
      • refrigerator
      • large pantry in kitchen
      • Plenty of kitchen cabinets
      • washer and dryer hook-ups
      • Smoke alarm
      • cable ready
      • phone jacks
      • Some units are equipped with flip down windows
      • Plenty of closets
      • Outdoor locked storage units
      • Small patio

      We offer a lawn care maintenance contract or residents can maintain their own lawns.

      There is a playground area with playground equipment in one area of our complex.

      A bus shelter is provided for the school children at all sites

      All of the local schools have storm shelters

      We have a van available for planned activities at the Resident Center.

      The Resident Center is available for tenant's use

      Residents can get involved in the Neighborhood Watch and Resident Patrol.

      Our Resident Center is equipped with a computer lab that is available for resident use.

  • Where is your public housing office located?
    
    

    • 1701 Chestnut Street, Van Buren Arkansas 72956.
      Call 479-474-6901 for driving directions

  • What are your hours of operation?
    
    

    • 7:30 am - 4:30 pm, Monday thru Friday

  • What is the application process?
    
    

    • Come into the office and get an application. You may take it with you or fill it out in the office. If you are unable to come to the office, you may call and request an application be mailed to you.

      Application Process

      Van Buren Housing Authority administers the Public Housing Program funded by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
      
      The family must meet the low or extremely low income guidelines published yearly by the Department of Urban Development (HUD).
      
      Applications are available on this website (click here), at our office, or at your county Department of Human Services office. We do not mail applications upon request.
      
      The application must be mailed or delivered to our office. If the application is incomplete when we receive it at our office, it will not be processed.

      
      Mail to:
      Van Buren Housing Authority
      1701 Chestnut Street
      Van Buren, Arkansas 72956

      To request an application by mail, call 479-474-6901

      
      Submitting an Application
      To apply for rental assistance, the family must complete an application and be placed on the waiting list. The length of time on the waiting list is determined by the number of families currently on the list.
      
      The applicant must complete the application and turn in all required documents. The application needs to be delivered to the office or can be mailed in, but if it is incomplete we will not process it. Applications are accepted Monday - Friday anytime between 7:30 am and 4:00 pm.
      
      The following information and documents are required when turning in the application for housing assistance:

      • Original picture I.D. for all persons over 18
      • Original Social Security cards for all members of the household
      • Proof of current income
      • Rental references: name and address of landlords for the past 3 years
      • Official State Birth Certificates for children under 18 years of age
      • Marriage License, Divorce Decree or Separation Statement
      • Evidence of a stable relationship for at least 2 years if not legally married. Evidence may include any of the following: Birth Certificates for children, joint tax returns, prior leases, joint bank accounts, insurance policies
      • Proof of any assets

           
      Once the Housing Authority has processed and approved the application the applicants name is placed on the waiting list.
      
      The application is required to call into the office each week in order for their application to stay active. Once placed on the waiting list they may be told to call in monthly.
      
      Length of the waiting list is determined by the number of families currently on the list and the number of vacant units available.
      
      If your address changes while you are on the waiting list, you must send our office a written statement with your new address. It is important that we have your correct mailing address, if a letter is sent to inform you that there is an opening for assistance, you have only have 7 days to call our office or your name will be removed from the list and you will need to re-apply and be placed at the bottom of the list. Our agency is not responsible for undelivered mail.

      Apartment Offers
      Once an apartment becomes available the Housing Authority will notify the applicant by mail and phone if available. The applicant will have 7 days to contact the office or they will be removed from the list and will have to re-apply to be placed at the bottom of the list.
      
      Once the apartment offer has been made, the applicant will have an opportunity to view the unit and accept or deny it. If denied, the applicants name will move to the bottom of the list. If an applicant denies an offer three times, they will be removed from the waiting list and will have to re-apply to be placed at the bottom of the list.
      
      Upon acceptance of the offer an appointment time will be set up to sign the Lease and all of the required documents. The appointment time will take between 45 minutes - 60 minutes. The applicant and all adult members of the household are required to be at this appointment. If the appointment is missed with no notification the unit will be offered to the next person on the list.
      
      At this time the applicant will also be informed what rent and security deposit amounts will be due at the appointment. Everyone’s rent is based on 30% of their adjusted income or the Flat Rent amount. The Van Buren Housing Authority accepts checks or money orders only.
      
      Payments must be adjusted during the term of rental assistance if there are any changes in income, family size or allowances. Any and all changes must be reported in writing within 10 days of occurrence. Failure to notify our office of any changes will result in repayment of back rent amounts due, utility allowances paid to you that you were not entitled to, and if not resolved will result in termination of assistance.
      
      Before the scheduled appointment time, the tenant paid utilities, gas and electric, are required to be turned on in the head of household’s name. The Housing Manager will call before the appointment time to verify that the applicant has contacted the Utility Companies for connection. IF the applicant shows up to the appointment, and has NOT contacted the Utility Companies, the appointment will be rescheduled if possible or the unit will be offered to the next person on the list.
      
      Inspections
      
      Once all of the required documents are signed and the rents and security deposits are collected, the Housing Manager will go with the resident and perform an Initial Inspection of the unit.

  • Is your Public Housing Site safe?
    
    

    • VBHA sites have seen a dramatic decline in criminal activities over the last several years. Our reduction in crime is based on a number of things: The 1986 "One Strike" Law, better screening of applicants for violent and drug related criminal activities, more resident involvement in safety and security and the partnership with the Van Buren Police Department including 24 hour Sub-Station.

  • What documents do I need to bring with me?
    
    

    • You will need to bring the following items with you:

      • Original picture I.D. for all persons over 18
      • Original Social Security cards for all members of the household
      • Proof of current income
      • Rental references: name and address of landlords for the past 3 years
      • Official State Birth Certificates for children under 18 years of age
      • Marriage License, Divorce Decree or Separation Statement
      • Evidence of a stable relationship for at least 2 years if not legally married. Evidence may include any of the following: Birth Certificates for children, joint tax returns, prior leases, joint bank accounts, insurance policies
      • Proof of any assets
  • What are the income eligibility guidelines for Public Housing?
    
    

    • 1-person - $27,100   5-people - $41,800 
      2-people - $31,000   6-people - $44,900
      3-people - $34,850   7-people - $48,000
      4-people - $38,700   8-people - $51,100

  • What if I don't have any income?
    
    

    • Having no income does not disqualify you for Public Housing. However, you will be required to get the utilities turned on in the Head of Household name.

  • What utilities are included in rent?
    
    

    • The water and trash are included, you will be required to pay gas and electric.

  • How much is the Public Housing Security Deposit?
    
    

    • The Security Deposit for the Elderly and Disabled is $50.00 with a $10.00 key deposit. The Family Security Deposit is $150.00 with a $10.00 key Deposit. All deposits are due at move in.

  • How are the number of bedrooms determined?
    
    

    • 1-Bedroom 3-People are the maximum
      2-Bedroom 4-People are the maximum
      3-Bedroom 6-People are the maximum
      4-Bedroom 8-People are the maximum

  • Do you allow pets?
    
    

    • The Elderly/Disabled Pet Deposit is $75.00 with a $5.00 monthly Pest Eradication Fee. The Family Pet Deposit is $200.00 with a monthly Pest Eradication Fee of $5.00. All pet deposits are due at move in.

  • Are appointments necessary?
    
    

    • No, they are not.

  • Can I look at a unit before I apply?
    
    

    • The VBHA does not keep units opens for viewing. Our maintenance staff works hard to prepare units as quickly as possible so that we may call the next person on the list. Once you apply and your name comes to the top of the list you will be contacted for a specific unit. At that time you may schedule an appointment to view the unit.

  • How long is the wait for Housing?
    
    

    • The wait on each list varies, and it is not possible to give you an exact time. It is best that you ask at the time you complete your application so we might give you an estimated answer based on where your application or name is on the waiting list.

  • What is the difference between Public Housing and Section 8 Housing?
    
    

    • Public Housing (VBHA) has its own housing units which it offers to applicants. Section 8 Housing is where the applicant has to find a house or apartment that accepts vouchers. The VBHA does not accept Section 8 Vouchers. The Crawford County Section 8 phone number is 479-474-0512.

  • Do you run credit checks?
    
    

    • Yes

  • Do you run background checks?
    
    

    • Yes

  
  
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