Who is not able to live at Sonrisa?

Households consisting entirely of full-time students are NOT eligible unless they meet one of the five exceptions as follows*:

1. All members are married, entitled to file jointly,

   or

2. Single parent(s) and their child(ren), no one a dependent of a third party, except children of single parents allowed to be dependents of the other parent,

   or

3. At least one member receives assistance under Title IV of the Social Security Act (i.e. TANF),

   or

4. At least one member is in a job training program (i.e.WIOA),

   or

5. At least one member formerly in foster care

 *Please note:

• Status can change from year to year

• School age children are considered full-time (grades K-12)

• “Full Time” is defined by the institution attended

• At least 5 months attendance in the calendar/taxable year

Those who are unable to meet the minimum or maximum income requirements or fail the credit and/or criminal background check**

**Medical and student debt don’t affect credit report, criminal convictions will not automatically disqualify a prospective Sonrisa applicant, however violent offenders and those convicted of drug manufacturing will not qualify.

How are Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance tenants screened by CADA for Sonrisa?

Households which receive Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance undergo the same verification process of their income and background checks for certain factors related to tenant suitability, such as criminal background* and eviction history.

*Fair Employment and Housing Act (FEHA) has specific regulations related to Criminal History Information.

What is “Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance”? What is a “VASH voucher”?

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher rental assistance is funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and is administered by a local public housing authority to help households with low income pay their rent. A tenant with a voucher pays a predetermined portion of rent and the Section 8 program pays the remainder of the rent, directly to the housing provider. The HUD-VASH Program is a type of Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher that aids veterans who are experiencing homelessness and their families. The program also includes case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs.

Applications will be reviewed during the application period for a preliminary review of meeting the minimum income requirement and not exceeding the income limits from information provided on the application prior to being placed on the waitlist. The following process will result in the formation of the initial waiting list for the property:

• To be considered for occupancy at Sonrisa, applicants must complete the application during the advertised application period. Please note that applying does not guarantee a unit or a spot on the waiting list. Households applying for Sonrisa will be pre-screened for completeness of application, income eligibility, and other eligibility criteria. Eligible applicants will be notified in person, in writing or by phone regarding status and of any further information deemed necessary.

• Hardcopy applications will be date and time-stamped upon acceptance.

• Late and/or incomplete applications will not be considered.

• Management will continue to process applications until the maximum number of approved applicants to fill the affordable units has been reached.

• All households will be notified of their initial screening results, and qualified applicants will be given further instructions to continue the certification process and pay the Security Deposit of $400.

• After their file is completed and approved for occupancy at Sonrisa, applicant(s) will be contacted when their unit is ready for move-in.

• Applicant(s) will have ten (10) days from said notification to execute a lease agreement and sign the Tenant Income Certification (TIC).