The Process of Finding Your Home with NHA
Norfolk Housing Association is proud to boast a unique mixed-income model that allows for individuals of varied backgrounds to find housing within an NHA building regardless of income level.
Resident income levels remain anonymous, as no unit is designated either Market or Rent-Geared-to-Income (RGI) and a high standard of quality in terms of both service delivery and asset maintenance mean that our turnover is low – very low.
This low turnover is a definite boon for us as landlords and for our current residents as well, as it helps us establish a real sense of community and home for everyone here. Unfortunately for others, it can make finding a unit with us a bit of a waiting game.
Please note: the process for living with us outlined below is the same for folks looking for Rent-Geared-to-Income or Market units!
HOW TO FIND A UNIT
In order to ensure equality of access to our units, NHA has been moving away from our partnership model, which we found left individuals who didn’t require much support without a way to access our housing, to a simplified application process.
Now, all of our available units – both those available for folks in need of RGI (rent-geared-to-income) and Market units are listed on Rentfaster. The units are listed with pertinent details around suitability, income requirements (if any), accessibility, and other details that you might not typically find in a rental listing.
We do our best from there to ensure that we balance the idea of “first come, first served” with suitability for the unit available. For example, we have only a handful of semi-accessible units and so we do give preference to applicants for those units who have some accessibility requirements.
VIEWING AND APPLICATION
Once your application on Rentfaster has been received, our Housing and Programs Coordinator will get in touch with the available times for viewing and walk you through each step from there.
Generally the times will be within the coming week. Remember, our units are in demand, so a missed meeting will generally mean a missed opportunity to live with us. Do your best to communicate with the team well in advance if you can’t make your viewing.
While you’re viewing the unit, you’ll get in-depth information about guidelines and rules for living with us and have plenty of opportunity to ask all your questions, as well. As mentioned above, it’s important to us that everyone understands the type of welcoming community we’re trying to create and feels excited about being a part of that.
After the viewing, if the unit is deemed a fit and you’re interested, you’ll be provided an application to fill out requesting some personal details around employment or income and references. Once the application is received the team does a preliminary screen and then requests an application fee ($250) from selected applicants.
If you are accepted into our unit, the application fee will be applied towards your first months rent. If you are declined as a tenant, the application fee is returned to you in full. The only instance where you would forfeit the application fee is if you apply but then decline an offer to rent with us once it’s made.
SIGNING THE LEASE
If your application is accepted, the next step is to provide a deposit and sign the lease! This will be your last step before move-in day and it’s generally done online.
Our Housing and Programs Coordinator will provide you with the Lease electronically. We know these things can feel a little overwhelming sometimes, so we’ve done our best to personalize the process and make it clear and straight forward. We encourage all future residents to read through the lease thoroughly prior to signing - staff are available to answer any questions throughout the process.
This is the point of “no return” you might say – up until today, both you and us have the opportunity to decide it’s not a fit. It’s important to make sure you ask all your questions and bring up all your concerns before the lease is signed.
MOVE IN DAY
Welcome home!
We know moving is super stressful and we will work with you to make it as seamless as possible. Of course, we anticipate and appreciate your understanding with us as well.
Our staff will meet you at your new home and walk through the unit with you, pointing out anything that you need to know, making notes of anything that needs attention, and ensuring you have no lingering questions or concerns.
On move in day we conduct a move in inspection with you that follows RTA guidelines. The condition of the unit upon move in is thoroughly documented, which helps us ensure that the return of your security deposit is accurately calculated upon move out.
YOU’RE HOME
All of us at NHA feel strongly that wherever you live should feel like home. We are always around for support and we want to hear from you!
Every month you’ll receive a resident newsletter under your door with anything we think it’s important for you to know. This is a key way to ensure you have an understanding of what’s happening in your building as well as our larger community! There’s never any expectation to participate but we’re always happy to see you and hear from you.
Thanks for choosing to make your home with us, and we look forward to hearing how we can improve your experience of living with NHA!