Housing Services

Section 8 Waiting List Frequently Asked Questions

#1: Why don't you tell me my position on the wait list?

We do not disclose your position on the Wait List because your position is not locked in stone -- it can change as new applicants are added and deleted – making a position number essentially meaningless.  Positions change on the Wait List because it is ordered by a preference system (see Question 3) that awards priority points, as appropriate, (see Question #4) to an application.  The application date and time is only used as a “tie breaker” for applications that have the same number of priority points.

#2: How is my position on the wait list determined?

Your position on the Wait List is affected by three factors: 1) any preferences you receive; 2) the date and time of your application, and 3) all the other applicants on the wait list.  

Because the list is ordered by preferences, your Wait List position can and will constantly change because of factor #3 – as people come and go on the Wait List they affect your position on the list.  

Applicants who have one or more preferences receive priority points and your position is determined by how many priority points you receive – more points mean a higher position.  If you have the same amount of priority points as another applicant, the date the time of your application breaks the tie.

Those applicants with no priority points are ordered by date and time of application only.

When we are ready to “pull” applicants from the Wait List and process their applications to determine if they are eligible to receive a housing voucher, we take a “snapshot” of the waitlist – essentially “freeze” the Wait List just for the time it takes to select the number of applicants we need.

#3: What are preferences?

Preferences are in essence "rewards" the Housing Authority gives applicants who fall into certain categories. The "reward" is a higher position on the wait list.

Our preferences are for Applicants whose Head of Household, Spouse, or Sole Member fall into one or more of the following categories:

  • 62 years of age or older,
  • A person with Disabilities,
  • Working or has been hired to work in Plumas, Lassen, Sierra or Tehama Counties
  • Working or has been hired to work outside Plumas, Lassen, Sierra or Tehama Counties, but live in Plumas, Lassen, Sierra or Tehama Counties

Preferences are also extended to Applicant Families who:

  • Live in Plumas, Lassen, Sierra or Tehama Counties
  • Have been displaced by private or public action.
  • Have a member who is a veteran or serviceman

#4: What are priority points?

Applicants with Preferences receive Priority Points as follows:

5 Priority Points are given to Applicants whose Head of Household, Spouse, or Sole Member fall into one or more of the following categories:

  • 62 years of age or older,
  • A person with Disabilities,
  • Working or has been hired to work in Plumas, Lassen, Sierra or Tehama Counties
  • Working or has been hired to work outside Plumas, Lassen, Sierra or Tehama Counties, but live in Plumas, Lassen, Lassen, Sierra or Tehama Counties

2 Priority Points are given to Applicant Families who live in Plumas, Lassen, Sierra or Tehama Counties

1 Priority Point is given to Applicant Families who:

  • Have been displaced by private or public action.
  • Have a member who is a veteran or serviceman

The most priority points an applicant with preferences could receive would be nine, the least would be one. Those with no preferences receive zero priority points.

#5: Why can’t you tell me how long it will be before I am- or if I will be- selected from the Wait List?

There are three factors beyond our control and/or unknown to us that make it impossible to make even a wild guess on when you might - or if you will - be selected from the wait list.

Factor One: A “Dynamic” Wait List: The Wait List is based on preferences (see Question 3) and not strictly by the date and time of application. Therefore your position on the Wait List can change since you are ranked (by priority points) in relation to all other applications on the list. As applications are added to (and deleted from) the list, positions can change. For example you may be “bumped” to a lower position when an application, although submitted after yours, has a higher priority point total.

Factor Two: Funding Availability: The number of people selected from the Wait List depends on the availability of funding.

Factor Three: Available “slots” to be filled: Since we maintain full lease-up, openings for housing assistance only occur when participants leave the program and create a “slot” to be filled. The process begins by selecting the next person on the Wait List.

When the Wait List is OPEN, all three factors apply.

When the Wait List is CLOSED, the Wait List is “frozen”, although the list can shrink due to applicants who are removed from the list.  Factor 1 can apply if any updates to applications on the Closed List cause preferences to change (and therefore the Wait List order can change).  Factors 2 and 3 are also applicable.

As we have said, any or all of these three factors control the timing of selecting applicants from the Wait List, but are NOT under our control and therefore making it impossible to predict when an applicant will be selected from the Wait List.

#6: If I am selected from the Wait List, am I now eligible to receive housing assistance?

No. You were placed on the Wait List based on the information you supplied. When you are selected from the Wait List we now must determine your eligibility for the program. You must now fill out a more “complete” application package and provide various documents that will help us determine if you are eligible to receive a Housing Voucher.

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