Public Housing

The Public Housing Program aims to provides decent and safe rental housing for eligible low-income families. The program was created under the Housing Act of 1937 which authorized the establishment of State and Local Public Housing Authorities. These Housing Authorities own and manage housing units available to low-income families at a low cost. The West Georgia Consortium Housing Authority (WGCHA) owns and manages 256 public housing units in the West Georgia Consortium.

The job of the West Georgia Consortium Housing Authority (WGCHA) pursuant to HUD regulations is to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing, in good repair, to low-income families at an affordable rent. WGCHA screens applicants for public housing and, if they are found eligible and accepted, WGCHA offers the applicant a unit. If the applicant accepts the offer, WGCHA will enter into a contract with the applicant known as the lease, becoming a tenant of the public housing program.

WGCHA receives its operating subsidy for the public housing program from the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A Public Housing Agency (PHA) is a governmental or public body, created through state enabling legislation to develop and operate housing and housing programs for low-income families. WGCHA enters into an Annual Contributions Contract (ACC) with HUD to administer the public housing program. WGCHA must ensure compliance with federal laws, regulations, and notices and must establish policy and procedures to clarify federal requirements and to ensure consistency in program operation.

The Admission and Continued Occupancy Policy (ACOP) establishes guidelines for applicant eligibility and continued rental assistance.