Public Housing
For nearly 40 years, the Jamestown Housing Authority has built a strong tradition of providing safe, decent and affordable rental housing to the senior and adult-disabled populations of Jamestown, New York, as well as the surrounding communities. Each of the agency's three (3) high rise sites features the finest in rental accommodations for those who are living independently on a moderate, low, or even very-low income. The rent one pays is based solely upon total household income, and includes all heating and utility expenses (except telephone and cable). This means that everyone pays the very same percentage of their income for rent and utilities and you can't be any fairer than that!

The concept of public housing has been around nationwide, since 1937; and it has been alive and well here in Jamestown since the late 1960's. Simply put, public housing is housing built, owned, and subsidized by the Department of Housing and Urban Development; better known as HUD. This means that residents are guaranteed fair and equitable treatment under the law; and it means that everyone living in public housing will be treated with the respect and dignity they deserve.

The public housing waiting list for all three (3) sites (Hotel Jamestown, High Rise and Chadakoin Apartments) is presently open. Since eligibility for admission is based upon both income and family composition, the following chart gives a brief indication of who should apply for what location.

Family Size in Hotel & High Rise Annual Income Limits
1 Senior or HCP $31,000
2 Seniors and/or HCP $35,400
Family Size for Chadakoin Bldg. Annual Income Limits
1 $19,400
2 $22,150
3 $24,900
4 $27,650

Section 8 Housing
The Jamestown Housing Authority operates a second major housing program commonly referred to as Section 8. Also referred to by other titles such as HUD Housing, the Housing Choice Voucher Program, and Tenant-Based Rental Assistance, Section 8 provides a rental subsidy to both individuals and families who qualify. This subsidy in turn, allows the person(s) to pay a reasonable share of their total household income for shelter care costs (rent/utilities).

As with most types of assisted housing, the government (HUD) helps by paying the difference between what the property owner (landlord) is asking in rent, and what the renter (recipient) should reasonably expect to pay (approximately 30% of his/her adjusted income). This difference is directly tied to each city's (or county's) FMR (Fair Market Rent), and is re-computed annually by HUD to reflect possible changes in the local economy, as well as the overall housing market.

The Section 8 waiting list maintained by the Jamestown Housing Authority is currently open. Since eligibility to qualify for a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) is based solely upon income, an applicant's gross annual income may not exceed 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI) as shown in the chart below:

No. of Family Members Section 8 Income Limits
1 $11,650
2 $13,300
3 $14,950
4 $16,600
5 $17,950
6 $19,300
7 $20,600
8 $21,950

One important difference between Public Housing and the Section 8 HCV Program, is that the landlord, not the Housing Authority, determines the person's suitability for tenancy. As long as the rent is reasonable (by comparison) and the dwelling meets Housing Quality Standards (HQS), the landlord retains the right of selecting whom he or she wants living in the unit.

Family Self-Sufficiency
In connection with the Section 8 HCV Program, the JHA provides for a voluntary program designed to promote economic independence for highly motivated participants. Known as Family Self-Sufficiency or FSS, well trained Housing Authority staff helps the individual (or family) to improve household income through education, vocational training and eventually career advancement. This effort, in turn, improves the likelihood of home ownership occurring, resulting in less dependency and a greater sense of self-worth.