Additional Details
Lottery Applicant Qualifications:
OR
Are there units available for Local Preferences?
Yes, subject to certain fair housing and household size limitations herein, the initial occupancies of 2 units are given preference for households who meet at least one of the Local Preference Criteria as stated in the application.
Are the apartments adaptable?
There are no Group 1 or Group 2 units. All the units are adaptable. The units can be adapted to satisfy a reasonable accommodation request. There is an elevator in the building. Persons with disabilities are entitled to request a reasonable accommodation in rules, policies, practices, or services, or to request a reasonable modification in the housing, when such accommodations or modifications may be necessary to afford persons with disabilities an equal opportunity to use and enjoy the housing. Such reasonable accommodation is not limited to Group 2 units. The request for a reasonable accommodation must be made at the time of the initial lottery application with the required documentation (i.e., a letter from a doctor).
Are there preferences for Household Size?
Household Size Preferences are based on the following:
Are there considerations for minorities?
If the percentage of minority applicants in the Local Preference Pool is less than the percentage of minorities in the Surrounding HUD-defined area (currently 33.4%), a preliminary lottery will be held, comprised of all the minority applicants who do not qualify for the Local Preference Pool. Minority applicants not otherwise qualifying for the Local Preference Pool would be drawn at random from the Open Pool until the percentage of minorities in the Local Pool is no longer below the percentage of minorities in the surrounding HUD-defined area. Applicants not selected for the Local Preference Pool would be in the Open Pool only.
What happens if my household income exceeds the income limit?
Annually, you will be recertified for eligibility. Once your household income exceeds 140% of the maximum allowable income adjusted for household size, then after the end of your current lease, you will have the option of staying in your unit and paying the market rent or not renewing your lease.
Lottery Process
Due to the nature of the affordable units’ availability, it is important for everyone to understand the procedure. Please note that the allowable income guidelines are adjusted based on your household size. Also, be advised that the program and its requirements are subject to changes in state or federal regulations.
Lottery Pools
Four (4) affordable units are available by lottery at 364 Irving Street in Framingham. The lottery has two pools: Local Preference and Open. You must meet at least one of the Local Preference Criteria to be included in the Local Pool. The unit breakdown is as follows:
All eligible applicants will receive a lottery code prior to the lottery. If you are in the Local Pool, you will have two opportunities for a unit by being included in both the Local and Open Pools.
All eligible applicants for a given pool will be pulled at the time of the lottery, which will establish the rankings for the distribution of units. The highest-ranked applicants requiring a studio, one, or two-bedroom unit (see page 4 for household size preferences) will be offered a unit. This process will be identical for both the Local Preference Pool and Open Pool and will be used until all units are leased or until the lottery list is exhausted. Applicants in the Local Preference Pool will select units first, then the Open Pool applicants.
Please note: Household size preference will override local preference. This means that if we exhaust the applicants in the local pool that require a one-bedroom unit, we will move to the open pool for households requiring one-bedroom units. Household size shall not exceed, nor may the maximum allowable household size be more restrictive than, State Sanitary Code requirements for occupancy of a unit (See 105 CMR 400). Applicants will not be approved for units larger than their household size allows.
Once the lottery rankings have been determined, your information will be forwarded to the Leasing Office for credit and background checks to the extent permitted by EOHLC guidance in effect at the time of your application. If the Leasing Office determines you are eligible, you will be offered a unit. At lease signing, you will be required to pay the first month’s rent and security deposit.
You need to be determined eligible by MCO Housing Services, the Leasing Office, and if you have a Section 8 or other housing voucher, your Public Housing Authority (PHA). If the PHA determines you or the project do not meet the eligibility criteria, then you will not be able to lease a unit.
If there are lottery applicants remaining once the affordable units are leased, then, based on the order in which such applicants were drawn from the Open Pool and subject to any applicable preferences for accessible units and household size, MCO Housing Services will establish a waiting list for future vacancies. Local preference will not be applied beyond the initial marketing and lease-up.
Time Frames
If you are selected and have the opportunity to lease a unit, you will speak or meet with a representative to review your application to verify all information. Please be advised that the official income verification will be done at the time you have an opportunity to lease. Also, understand you need to be income and asset eligible but will also, at a minimum, be subject to a credit screening, landlord screening, employment verification, criminal background, and CORI checks by the project and determined eligible or ineligible on that basis to the extent consistent with EOHLC guidance in effect at the time of such determination.
Acceptance of Units
The initial lottery “winners” may have a choice of the appropriately sized available affordable units. Local Preference Pool applicants will select units first, followed by Open Pool applicants. Post-lottery, each applicant will need to meet with the Leasing Office and complete their screening by the provided deadline. If you miss the deadline, we will move to the next applicant waiting for a unit, and you may lose the opportunity to lease.
Summary
We hope this helps explain the process by which the units will be distributed. It can be a lengthy and sometimes complicated process. We greatly appreciate your participation and wish you the best of luck in the lottery process.