2005-2006: Cayce Rent Determination

The Cayce Authority’s Public Housing Program is managed by the Columbia Housing Authority.  The following rent policies apply for the Public Housing Program.

 Public Housing

1. We are retaining the calculation of rent payment at greater than the 30% adjusted monthly income, 10% of monthly income or shelter rent.

2. We are not adding any income exclusions to the statutory ones in the calculation of adjusted income.

3. The minimum rent is $50.00.

4. We phase-in rent for qualified residents that transition from welfare to work according to Section 508 of QHWRA.  There is no increase in rent for the first year, it increase to 50% of the normal increase in the second year, and is fully phased in for the third year.

Flat Rents

The Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act of 1998 (QHWRA) mandated that housing authorities implement changes, effective October 1, 1999 , regarding the calculation of rents.  The primary change was that each family that resides in public housing owned or operated by the agency will have 2 options regarding the calculation of their rent:

            Option 1: Income-based rent

            Option 2: Flat rent

In order to develop the Flat Rents, CHA considered two factors.  Housing authorities have always calculated to PUM (per unit monthly) as part of its annual budget process.  This is the cost to the CHA to maintain and operate a public housing unit on an average basis.  The PUM for 2004-2005 is $254.00.  All flat rents determined by bedroom size exceed this amount.

The second factor compares the public housing community with local Fair Market Rents in each area.  The Columbia Housing Authority’s Director of Inspections and Director of Development collaborated with the Director of Public Housing to calculate the comparative rents on the chart included in this section.

The CHA Board of Commissioners has approved the Flat Rent Structure on the following chart.  It is explained and offered as residents interview and meet with the Manager at reexamination.  At that time, the manager explains the choices on an individual basis to each resident.  Lease Addendums are signed, verifying the choice of rents. 

Cayce Housing Authority
Flat Rent Schedule

 These rents became effective January 1, 2002 .  The CHA has decided to retain these flat rents for 2005.