Public Housing

Effective Tuesday, March 17, 2020, the offices of DHA will be closed to the public until further notice. DHA staff will still be available by telephone.  Rent payments may still be made by mail or dropbox. You may report income changes by phone during this time period. Necessary forms will also be available outside of our door at the main office located at 1808 E. Locust Street. We ask that all of our clients practice social distancing during this time period and refrain from having unnecessary visitors and contact with others.

Public housing was established to provide decent, safe, and affordable rental housing for eligible low-income families, the elderly, and persons with disabilities.  There are approximately 1.3 million households living in public housing units, managed by some 3,300 Housing Authorities nationwide.  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) administers federal grants to local housing agencies that provide and manage housing for low-income residents.   HUD furnishes technical and professional assistance in planning, developing, and managing these developments.  Decatur Housing Authority public housing units come in all sizes and types, from scattered single-family houses to high-rise apartments for elderly or disabled families.

Public housing is limited to low-income families and elderly or disabled individuals.  The Housing Authority determines eligibility based on:  annual gross income; whether you qualify as elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family; and U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status.  If eligible, the Housing Authority will check your references to make sure you and your family will be good residents.  The Housing Authority will deny admission to any applicant whose habits and practices may be expected to have a detrimental effect on other tenants or on the communities' environment.  The Housing Authority wants to lease to families who take care of the property and maintain a good relationship with other families in the neighborhood and community.  In order to select the best family possible for each unit, the Decatur Housing Authority has an established selection criterion that includes evaluating previous rental history concerning rent payment and damage and previous criminal record concerning violent and drug-related activity.

Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency Program (ROSS)

The ROSS program is here for you!  If you are a public housing tenant, I can help you get connected with services in the community such as GED classes, college courses, job training, credit counseling, life skills, and much more.

For more information on what the ROSS program can do for you contact Tracey Green, ROSS Coordinator, at 423-7745 ext. 3019.

Elderly/Disabled Services

Decatur Housing Authority is pleased to offer service coordination to Public Housing tenants. The service coordinator assists tenants and their families with support to enhance the quality of their daily lives. The goal of the service coordinator is to provide tenants with the necessary information, grant referrals to achieve local services, offer educational opportunities, and gain access to opportunities to maintain their lease. The service coordinator is an integral part of the housing and property team and plays a critical role in the success of the tenants and the respect of the community.

You may reach, Tracey Green, Decatur Housing Authority’s Elderly/Disabled Service Coordinator at 217-423-7745 ext. 3019.