*** As of May 1, 2010 the Housing Authority of the City of Colorado Springs WILL NOT be accepting applications for the following programs until further notice:
Public Housing Family Program, Public Housing Senior Program (62 years and older), Public Housing Disabled and Near Elderly (50+), Pikes Peak Property, Kiowa Property, and the Section 8 Voucher Program.

Starting Monday May 3, 2010 the Housing Authority of the City of Colorado Springs will accept applications for:
Moderate Rehabilitation Program (Mod Rehab), Rio Grande Village Apartments, Shook's Run Apartments, and referrals from: City and State Tenant Based Rental Assistance, Homeless Veterans Program (VASH), and Plaza on Platte (SRO) ***

The Housing Authority offers several housing assistance programs. These include Public Housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, Senior Housing and the Plaza on Platte (SRO).

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Public Housing

The Housing Authority manages over 400 family housing units in Colorado Springs. These are arranged on a scattered site basis. That is, the majority of the dwellings are single family houses with some duplexes, four-plexes, or six-plexes scattered throughout Colorado Springs. Participants in the program pay 30% of their adjusted gross income for the rent to the Housing Authority. If an applicant has a good rental history, one of these homes can be offered to that family. A good rental history indicates regularly paid rent and having been a considerate neighbor and conscientious tenant. The Housing Authority reserves the right to refuse assistance to applicants with poor rental backgrounds or a background with criminal activity. The Housing Authority does conduct credit bureau checks, prior landlord reference checks, and police record checks to determine tenant suitability. In addition eligibility for this program is determined by the income guidelines established by HUD for this city. Participation in the Self-Sufficiency program is encouraged.
Monthly mobile inspections of the exterior are conducted and biannual inspections are conducted on the interior.

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Housing Choice Vouchers

The Housing Choice Vouchers program is a specially designed, federally governed program which assists tenants in paying rent and utility payments on homes or apartments in the private market. A home or apartment selected for rent must meet established Housing Authority criteria for being safe, decent, and sanitary. Participants in this program pay 30% of their adjusted gross income for the rent to the private landlord with the remaining portion of the rent paid by Housing Authority through federal funds. The Fair Market Rent amount is the maximum rental amount that the units can rent for including the Utility Allowance. Eligibility for this program is determined by the income guidelines established by HUD for this city. Participation in the Family Self-Sufficiency program is encouraged.

Portability Information (transferring your Section 8 voucher to the Colorado Springs Housing Authority)

Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contract (Adobe Acrobat Format)

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Fair Market Rent (FMR)

The payment Standard for Vouchers, as established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), is as follows (effective 12/1/09):

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Utility Allowances

Printable Colorado Springs Housing Authority Utility Allowance Chart (Adobe Acrobat Format)

The Utilities Allowances for El Paso County are as follows (effective 11/1/09):

Gas Heat

Electric Heat

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Senior Housing

Senior housing consists of several senior apartment buildings located throughout Colorado Springs. All units in these senior buildings are carpeted and have private baths with either showers and/or tubs and private kitchens with stoves and refrigerators. All buildings are located near shopping areas and bus lines. The rent on these units varies from 30% of the adjusted gross income to paying a flat rent amount. Many of the buildings offer low-cost nutritious lunches provided by the Golden Circle Nutrition Program. An application must be completed at the Housing Authority office.

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Plaza on Platte (SRO)

The Plaza on Platte is a Single Room Occupancy (SRO) program developed by Mercy Housing Colorado through a grant from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. A partnership of Colorado non-profit organizations, business leaders, and government officials (the Housing Authority of the City of Colorado Springs) and Mercy Housing Colorado was developed to provide affordable housing for homeless single people. Several area agencies are responsible for making referrals of the applicant for this program. Once a person has been referred by the sponsoring agency, an application is made at the Housing Authority office. The applicant is then scheduled for an appointment to process the application. The application and accompanying documentation are sent to Mercy Housing Colorado. This agency ultimately determines who will live at this complex. The program offers an opportunity for the participants to become employed and develop living skill necessary to maintain housing.

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