800 S 4th Ave • Albert Lea, MN 56007
Rental Payments:
Rent is due on the 1st of every month, with a grace period until the 5th. Should the 5th fall on a weekend or holiday, rent is due the next business day. Rent must be submitted at your housing community’s property manager’s office. Late fees apply for payments made at an incorrect location or after the grace period. Only checks and money orders are accepted for rent payments.
Recertification Process:
Annually, your property management will handle income certifications. This process is distinct from the income certification conducted by your Albert Lea Housing & Redevelopment Authority (ALHRA) Housing Specialist.
Property Management Policies:
To address your needs effectively, it’s recommended to schedule appointments with the property manager. Business hours for all property offices are displayed at their main entrances. For any inquiries, you can directly call or email the property manager. Contact details for each property can be found on the Rental Properties section of our website.
Porting to Albert Lea:
The Housing Choice Voucher Program offers a feature called portability, enabling participants to relocate to a different jurisdiction under a new housing authority. For those looking to move to Albert Lea, the process begins with your current housing authority, also known as the Initial Housing Authority (IHA). The decision to permit porting to Albert Lea lies with the IHA, which may require details about ALHRA before approving the move.
To initiate porting to Albert Lea, your IHA must send the following to ALHRA:
- HUD-52665 Form
- HUD-50058 Form
- EIV Report
- Copy of Your Voucher
- Contact Information for the Head of Household
Please note, that you are responsible for providing additional documents like Social Security cards, income proof, and asset details to ALHRA. The next steps involve submitting a Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) and undergoing a unit inspection, which may take 2-3 weeks to schedule. ALHRA finalizes contract rents for all incoming participants.
Once the unit passes inspection and eligibility is confirmed, the landlord will receive paperwork from ALHRA for payment processing, and you will be notified of your rent contribution.
Porting out of Albert Lea:
If you’re considering moving out of Albert Lea, start by requesting portability approval from ALHRA. Be aware, however, that seamless assistance cannot be guaranteed, and you might encounter gaps in support when moving to a new jurisdiction. You should be prepared to cover the full rent for the first month.
Key considerations for porting out include:
- Policies of other housing authorities may differ from HRA's. They can change your voucher size, potentially altering the number of bedrooms you're eligible for.
- The affordability of your new unit will depend on the payment standard of the receiving housing authority. The unit must be affordable before forwarding your paperwork.
- An inspection by the new housing authority is mandatory, and housing assistance payments start only after the unit passes inspection.
- You must liaise with the new housing authority once ALHRA sends them your paperwork.
Reporting Income Changes:
If there’s a change in your income, you need to inform ALHRA within 30 days. This requires filling out an Income Change Form and submitting all necessary documents as specified on the form. For changes in your household composition, you must notify ALHRA within 10 days, along with relevant documentation.
Key Points:
- You can request an interim adjustment to your rent portion due to a decrease in income only once between annual re-certifications.
- All new income sources, employment changes, or increases in unearned income of any household member must be reported within 30 days.
- Household composition alterations must be reported within 10 days. Adding an adult requires a meeting with your ALHRA worker while adding a minor involves submitting vital records (e.g., Social Security Cards, Passport, Birth Certificates) and custody status documentation.
- Failing to report changes in income or household composition in the stipulated time, or not providing required documents, may lead to a denial of your request or a debt owed to ALHRA for overpaid rent assistance.
Interim Recertification:
ALHRA won’t adjust income or household changes without a written request and the necessary documentation. Once you’ve submitted these, an appointment might be scheduled. Note that it could take up to 30 days to receive a notice about your rent change. Continue paying your current rent portion until you get written notification of the new amount.
Household Composition Changes:
Your family composition and Head of Household status are established at admission. The voucher cannot be transferred to another family member. Adding or removing family members requires ALHRA approval. New family members don’t gain rights to the voucher.
Absences from the Unit:
For family members, an absence under 90 days is temporary, and their income is still factored into rent calculations. Over 90 days are considered permanent, and their return must be approved by ALHRA, including a criminal background check. Adult returnees will be add-on members without the right to increase the voucher size.
For the Head of Household, an absence under 90 days is temporary, and their income is still included. A voluntary absence over 90 days leads to the loss of rental assistance for the entire family.
Remember: Delays in providing complete documentation to ALHRA can postpone the effective start date of your change.