CMHA is the 17th largest housing authority in the United States and consistently receives designation as a high performing agency from the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

The Public Housing portfolio of properties are owned and managed by CMHA.  It is the responsibility of CMHA to maintain the properties, screen residents for eligibility and conduct lease enforcement.

• CMHA operates 12 high-rise buildings, 3 large family communities, numerous small family communities and many single-family homes throughout Hamilton County.
• With CMHA, a resident pays generally 30 percent of their adjusted gross income in rent.
• Social workers are available to help any CMHA housing resident in need.  We provide housekeeping classes and assistance. CMHA Social Workers also refer residents to local social service agencies for various types of support.
• Applications are accepted Monday - Friday at CMHA’s leasing office (1635 Western Avenue).

In general, you may stay in public housing as long as you comply with the lease.

If, at re-examination your family's income is sufficient to obtain housing on the private market, CMHA may determine whether your family should stay in public housing. You will not be required to move unless there is affordable housing available for you in your area.

Your rent, which is referred to as the Total Tenant Payment (TTP) in this program, would be based on your family's anticipated gross annual income less deductions, if any. HUD regulations allow CMHA to exclude from annual income the following allowances:

• $480 for each dependent
• $400 for any elderly family, or a person with a disability
• Some medical deductions for families headed by an elderly person or a person with disabilities.

Based on your application, CMHA representative will determine if any of the allowable deductions should be subtracted from your annual income. Annual income is the anticipated total income from all sources received from the family head and spouse, and each additional member of the family 18 years of age or older.The formula used in determining the TTP is the highest of the following, rounded to the nearest dollar:

1. 30 percent of the monthly adjusted income. (Monthly Adjusted Income is annual income less deductions allowed by the regulations)
2. 10 percent of monthly income
3. welfare rent, if applicable or
4. $25 minimum rent or higher amount (up to $50) set by CMHA

Sometimes there are. Giving preference to specific groups of families enables CMHA to direct their limited housing resources to the families with the greatest housing needs. Since the demand for housing assistance often exceeds the limited resources available to HUD and the local HAs, long waiting periods are common. In fact, CMHA may close its waiting list when there are more families on the list than can be assisted in the near future.

CMHA has the discretion to establish preferences to reflect needs in its own community. These preferences will be included in the Hss written policy manual. You should ask what preferences they honor so you will know whether you qualify for a preference.