FAQs Archive - Housing Authority of Douglas County

Do I have a right to return to my unit once it’s (the repair work) is finished?

Yes, provided the unit passes Section 8 HQS inspection and can be inhabited.

The wording in the Resident Information Notice and General Information Notice letters, plus receiving them by certified mail, was scary. We thought we were definitely going to be relocated, possibly for a long time.

These letters were templates created by HUD and we were required to send them with few changes. We informed tenants to expect a certified letter in a previous newsletter about the conversion.

What does relocation look like if someone needs to leave temporarily?

That depends on the extent of the repairs. Some repairs may only require a few days, and relocation may be as simple as a motel stay. In other cases, it could be several months requiring relocation to an available unit within public housing while the repairs are completed.

Is there a chance some tenants will have to relocate temporarily for rehabilitation?

It is possible. We are hiring a firm to complete a 20-year Capital Needs Assessment for all public housing units. This report will tell us if there are any immediate repairs required and what repairs we must plan for each year for the next 20 years. Currently, none of our units have leaking roofs and many of them have new windows or are expected to get new windows soon. One possible reason for temporary relocation is if a known sewer and drainage issue in Reedsport will have to be addressed before conversion.

When HADCO is given vouchers for existing public housing tenants, will the existing tenants be guaranteed to receive these vouchers?

Yes, all existing public housing tenants at the time of conversion are guaranteed to receive a voucher for the Section 8 program (a project-based voucher that’s tied to the unit, not the tenant).

Can I move into a larger unit if I am a single parent with two children living in a two-bedroom unit?

Based on HADCO’s occupancy standards, a three-person household is eligible for a two-bedroom unit. If a member of the household is a person with disabilities, it’s possible a larger unit could be approved as reasonable accommodation.

What happens if you have to rehabilitate my unit, and I need to move?

We will coordinate this with you ahead of time. We are required to give you ample notice before the work starts. In some cases, HADCO is required to pay reasonable moving costs and coordinate help with moving. We do not anticipate that any of our units will require rehabilitation work which will require displacement.

How can I request a transfer to a smaller unit?

Submit a transfer request to the Property Management Director.

Is a one-bedroom unit cheaper than a two-bedroom?

Yes. Tenants are welcome to transfer into a smaller unit provided their family size meets the occupancy requirements of the smaller unit. Transfers are approved based on unit availability and priorities established in HADCO policies.

Is it possible that I will need to move because it will be cheaper to live somewhere else once the Section 8 rents are established (after conversion)?

Your out-of-pocket rent based on 30% of your income will not change. It is always possible that there are cheaper rentals outside the program.