It is the desire of OHA staff to assist all eligible households as quickly as possible. To make sure that your time spent on our waiting list will result in housing assistance in the future, please review all items below. Though not all eligibility items are covered, the most common reasons which will cause your household to not be offered assistance are listed below.

Previous and/or Current Applicants:

• Currently, owe money to any Housing Assistance Provider and/or not in good standing with them.
• Committed Fraud in connection with any Federally Funded Housing Assistance Programs.
• Left a housing program with any Housing Assistance Provider in violation of their program (please check with our staff as to time period and violation).
• Unsatisfactory prior assisted housing rental history.

Citizenship:

• At least one member of household must have eligible citizenship status. Assistance may be prorated depending upon verified household member(s) citizenship status.

Drug and Criminal Activity:

The Ottumwa Housing Authority will not provide housing assistance to households with Drug and Criminal histories relating to the following circumstances:

• Currently abusing drugs and alcohol in the previous 6 months.
• Not eligible for housing assistance if ever convicted of drug-related criminal activity for the manufacture or production of Methamphetamine at any location, not just federally assisted housing.
• Applicant was evicted from federally assisted housing in the last 3 years for drug related criminal activity.
• Applicant’s current use or pattern of use of illegal drugs, or current abuse or pattern or abuse of alcohol, may threaten the health, safety, or right to peaceful enjoyment of the premises by other tenants.

Applicants is currently engaged in, or has engaged in, or has engaged in any of the following criminal activities within the past five (5) years:

• Drug-related criminal activity including the illegal manufacture, sell, distribution, or use of a drug, or the possession of a drug with the intent to manufacture, sell, distribute, or use of the drug.
• Violent criminal activity – any criminal activity in which the use, attempted use, threatened use of physical force is substantial enough to cause or be likely to cause serious bodily injury or property damage. 
• Criminal activity that may threaten the health, safety, or welfare of other tenants or persons residing in the immediate vicinity (3 block radius).
• Criminal activity that may threaten the health, safety, or welfare of OHA staff, HCV property owners, management staff, persons performing contract administration functions, or other responsibilities on behalf of OHA, contractors, subcontractors, or agents.
• Criminal sexual conduct, including but not limited to sexual assault, incest, open and gross lewdness, or child abuse. 
• Applicant currently registered on any State Sex Offender Registry as a lifetime or level three (3) sex offender under State registration requirement.  

Preference Points for the Waiting List:

Housing Choice Voucher Program

15 Points:

• Family was terminated from the Housing Choice Voucher Program due to insufficient program funds

10 Points:

• Current resident of the city of Ottumwa, Iowa

5 Points Each:

• Victim of domestic violence within the past 6 months and is a current resident of the city of Ottumwa, IA
• Head of household, spouse, or sole member is consider a disabled individual
• Head of household, spouse, or sole member is 62 years of age or older
• Current Member of the U.S Armed Forces, Veteran, or surviving spouse of a veteran
• Family is a household with minor children

Hi-Rise Public Housing Program

15 Points:

• Family was terminated from the Housing Choice Voucher Program due to insufficient program funds

10 Points Each:

• Current resident of the city of Ottumwa, Iowa
• Head of household, spouse, or sole member is consider a disabled individual
• Head of household, spouse, or sole member is 62 years of age or older
• Current Member of the U.S Armed Forces, Veteran, or surviving spouse of a veteran
• Head of household, spouse, co-head, or sole member is employed at least 20 hours per week

2 and 3 Bedroom Family Public Housing Program

15 Points:

• Family was terminated from the Housing Choice Voucher Program due to insufficient program funds

10 Points Each:

• Current resident of the city of Ottumwa, Iowa
• Head of household, spouse, or sole member is consider a disabled individual
• Head of household, spouse, or sole member is 62 years of age or older
• Current Member of the U.S Armed Forces, Veteran, or surviving spouse of a veteran
• Head of household, spouse, co-head, or sole member is employed at least 20 hours per week
• Family is a household with minor children