SUBSIDIZED HOUSING
Program Basics

RECERTIFICATIONS

BHA must perform annual evaluations of income, assets, and family composition for all Section 8 program participants. To assist the BHA in preparing for this evaluation, the household must complete a recertification packet and provide all supporting income, asset, and allowance documentation. A new rent notice will be sent to the participant and the owner/agent at least 30 days prior to the annual recertification effective date, provided there are no processing delays.

BHA may schedule an appointment with households or households may request an appointment with the BHA to review recertification documentation if needed. Additional accommodations may be needed and can be requested.

HEARINGS

When BHA makes a decision that has a negative impact on a family, the family is often entitled to appeal the decision in the form of a hearing.  A request for a hearing must be made in writing and delivered to BHA either in person or by first class mail, by the close of the business day, no later than 14 calendar days from the date of BHA’s notification of denial of admission.

BHA will schedule and conduct a hearing with the family. The hearing will be conducted by a person other than the one who made or approved the decision under review, or a subordinate of this person.  At the time of the hearing, the family will be provided an opportunity to present written and/or oral objections to the decision.  Any person can represent the family, at their cost and discretion.  Prior to the hearing, the family may review relevant BHA documents at our office.  The family must also give BHA a change to review any relevant documents related to the family.

The family is expected to appear at the scheduled time of the hearing.  BHA will only reschedule a hearing if the family can show good cause for the failure to appear.

BHA will provide the family with a written notice of the final decision within 14 calendar days of the date of the hearing.

REPORTING REQUIREMENTS

Families are required to report all increases in income, including new employment, within 14 days of the date the change took effect. 

Families are required to report all changes in household composition.  The family must inform BHA of additions to the household resulting from birth, adoption, or court-awarded custody of a child no later than the next annual recertification. 

All other additions to the household must be pre-approved by BHA.

REASONABLE ACCOMMODATIONS

BHA provides accommodations to qualified persons with disabilities. A reasonable accommodation is a change, exception, or adjustment to a policy, practice or service that may be necessary for a person with a disability to have an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling, including public and common use spaces. Since policies and services may have a different effect on persons with disabilities than on other persons, treating persons with disabilities exactly the same as others will sometimes deny them an equal opportunity to use and enjoy a dwelling.

Requests for accommodations will be considered reasonable if they do not create an undue financial and administrative burden for BHA, or result in a fundamental alteration in the nature of the program or service offered. A fundamental alteration is a modification that alters the essential nature of a provider’s operations.

BHA encourages families requesting a reasonable accommodation to make the request in writing (see form below).  However, BHA will consider an accommodation any time the family indicates that an accommodation is needed whether or not a formal written request is submitted. 

BHA may need the family to provide evidence of their disability and the need for the specific accommodation. BHA will review all requests on a case-by-case basis and does not guaranteed specific accommodations.

Request for Reasonable Accomodation

Rent Payments

 

Login to your Online Portal to pay your rent by ACH (Electronic Bank Transfer) and to view your account balance and payment history.

You can also mail a check, money order, or cashier’s check to:

Bellingham Housing Authority
PO Box 1707
Bellingham, WA 98227-1707

Need to Re-Certify?!

Upon need of Recertification, you will receive information about the process from your Housing Coordinator.

If your Recertification Process has moved online, please click the following button to login to your account.