Olmsted County HRA accepting applications for Mainstream Voucher Program- CLOSES July 14, 2021 at 11:59PM

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  • Jun 28, 2021

Waitlist for Mainstream Voucher Program to close July 14, 2021, at 11:59 PM

The Olmsted County Housing and Redevelopment Authority (OCHRA) accepted applications for the Housing Choice Voucher waiting list for its Mainstream Voucher Program. 150 applications will be placed on the waiting list.  To compose the waitlist, applications will be pulled from the lottery and then ordered by preference.

Eligibility

To be eligible for a Mainstream Voucher, applicants must:

  • Have at least one household member who is a non-elderly disabled person, at least 18 years of age but less than 62 years of age.
  • The eligible household member does not need to be the head of the household.

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines a disabled person in three ways:

  1. A disabled person is one with an inability to engage in any substantial gainful activity because of any physical or mental impairment that is expected to result in death or has lasted or can be expected to last continuously for at least 12 months; or for a blind person at least 55 years old, inability because of blindness to engage in any substantial gainful activities comparable to those in which the person was previously engaged with some regularity and over a substantial period.
  2. A developmental disability, as defined in Section 102(7) of the Developmental Disabilities Assistance and Bill of Rights Act (42 U.S.C. 6001(8)), i.e., a person with a severe chronic disability that:

  • Is attributable to a mental or physical impairment or combination of mental and physical impairments. 

  • Is manifested before the person attains age 22. 

  • Is likely to continue indefinitely. 

  • Results in substantial functional limitation in three or more of the following areas of major life activity; self-care, receptive and expressive language, learning, mobility, self-direction, capacity for independent living, economic self-sufficiency. 

  • Reflects the person's need for a combination and sequence of special, interdisciplinary, or generic care, treatment, or other services that are of lifelong or extended duration and are individually planned and coordinated.

3. Has a physical, mental, or emotional impairment that is expected to be of long-continued and indefinite duration, substantially impedes his or her ability to live independently, and is of a nature that such ability could be improved by more suitable housing conditions.

Only online applications will be accepted. Applicants may apply using any device with internet access including computers, tablets, and smartphones. For those without internet access, computers will be available via the Library Express service from the Rochester Public Library:

  • Monday-Thursday: 10 a.m. to 8 p.m.
  • Friday-Sunday: 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. 

The Library Express is located at 101 2nd St SE, Rochester, MN 55904. If you require additional accommodations, please contact OCHRA at 507-328-7150.

Income limits

An applicant may be eligible for the program if their income is below the limits shown below. Note: 75% of new admissions must have incomes below the 30% limit.

Percent of Median Income  1 Person 2 People 3 People 4 People  5 People 6 People 7 People

8

People
30% 
(Extremely Low) 		 $20,950  $23,950 $26,950 $29,900 $32,300 $35,580 $40,120 $44,660
50% 
(Very Low) 		 $34,900   $39,900 $44,900 $49,850 $53,850 $57,850 $61,850 $65,850
80%
(Low)		 $55,850 $63,800 $71,800 $79,750 $86,150 $92,550 $98,900 $105,300

                           

Preferences  

The Olmsted County HRA has the following preferences in place:  

  • Residency: Families who are Olmsted County residents. 
  • Employment, Education, Elderly or Disabled: Families who:
    • Work at least 20 hours/week or have been hired to work in Olmsted County;
    • Attend post-secondary education full-time in Olmsted County; or,
    • Have family members who are elderly or disabled.
  • Homeless: Families who are homeless.

Process

  • Pre-applications will be accepted on an ongoing basis until 150 applications have been received. You may check your status on the waiting list by visiting www.waitlistcheck.com.
  • Final program eligibility will be determined when the family is selected from the waiting list to participate in the program.

Questions?

If you have any questions, please contact Olmsted County Housing Program Manager Cari Kuehn at 507-328-7171.