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PRE-APPLICATION FOR DES MOINES MUNICIPAL HOUSING AGENCY (DMMHA)
PUBLIC HOUSING ASSISTANCE PROGRAM AND HOUSING CHOICE VOUCHER ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS

Online Waiting List Pre-Application

IMPORTANT NOTICE: If you or anyone in your family is a person with disabilities, and you require a specific accommodation in order to fully utilize our programs and services, please contact the DMMHA located at Polk County River Place - 2309 Euclid, Des Moines, Iowa 50310.

Be Advised: The DMMHA will never ask for your credit/debit card number or any money in order for you to submit an application. Never give your credit/debit card number when applying for rental assistance.

I. GENERAL INFORMATION

  1. Public Housing Program: The Public Housing program consists of rental units within the City of Des Moines, Iowa owned and managed by the DMMHA. Upon acceptance of a unit, participants enter into a lease agreement with the DMMHA and pay approximately 30% of their monthly adjusted income for rent.
  2. Housing Choice Voucher Assistance Program (Section 8): The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program provides rental assistance to low-income families and elderly or disabled individuals who rent from a private landlord. The DMMHA administers the Section 8 program throughout Polk County, Iowa. Participants in the Section 8 program pay 30-40% of the household's monthly adjusted gross income for rent.

You may apply for one or both of the rental assistance programs listed only when the waiting list is open, you will not receive housing assistance immediately. When your name reaches the top of the waiting list, DMMHA will contact you to determine eligibility.

II. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE ASSISTANCE?

  • An applicant must qualify as an individual or family as defined by DMMHA.
  • Head of household must be at least 18 years of age or an emancipated minor by a court of competent jurisdiction, consistent with Iowa law at the time of admission to the program.
  • Family is not required to have income to apply. If the family has income, annual income at the time of admission may not exceed the established income limits at the time of admission according to the maximum income by family size established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (USHUD).
  • Applicant and all adult members of the family must pass a criminal background check.
  • Applicant or any member of the family that has ever been convicted of manufacturing or producing methamphetamine on the premises of any federally-assisted housing or any family household member that is subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program will not be eligible for housing assistance.
  • Applicant and all members of the family must provide documentation of social security numbers for all family members or certify that they do not have social security numbers at the time of initial eligibility interview.
  • Applicant and all members of the family must meet USHUD requirements on citizenship or immigration status.
  • Applicant or any member of the family who currently owes rent or other amounts to DMMHA or any other housing authority will not be offered assistance until the outstanding balance is paid in full.

The DMMHA does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, religion, marital status, familial status, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, ancestry, or sexual orientation in the access to, admission into, or employment in, housing programs or activities.

III. WHAT IS NEEDED TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION

Before you begin the application process, please have available:

  • Names and dates of birth of ALL family members.
  • Social Security Cards- If you or any member of your household do not have a social security number, you will not be able to complete this on-line application and you will have to come to the DMMHA’s Administrative Office. Please note that the Section 8 waiting list is only open when necessary to create a new Section 8 waiting list.
  • Income of all family members.
  • If you are applying for the Public Housing Program and are claiming a preference, you must print out, complete and submit the correct Preference Verification form to DMMHA. The Preference Chart and Verification forms can be printed here.
  • Have pen and paper ready to write down your confirmation number. If you do not receive a confirmation page, your pre-application is not complete and you WILL NOT be placed on a waiting list.
IV. INSTRUCTIONS- HOW YOU APPLY

You may complete an online application at any time there is an open waiting list. Answer all the questions on this website pre-application carefully and thoroughly. BEFORE you click on “Submit Application,” make sure your application is complete. Submit only ONE application to the DMMHA. Duplicate forms will not be accepted. By submitting this pre-application information you are not guaranteed placement on any waiting list or housing assistance.

  1. You can apply for as many programs as you would like as long as the waiting list for that program is open. If you are unable to check a waiting list for a program or property, it is because that waiting list is currently closed.
  2. Select your preferred wait list(s). You may select any program below for which your household qualifies. There is more information regarding the Public Housing properties in the links directly below each Public Housing waiting list. If you select a Public Housing property but later refuse an offer of a housing unit at that property, you will be put to the bottom of the waiting list. Therefore, please check ONLY the properties where you are willing to live.
  3. Make sure you have typed all information correctly. When you click on “Submit Application,” you will receive a confirmation number, meaning you have successfully applied for a housing program(s). Write down your confirmation number! If you do not receive a confirmation page, your pre-application is NOT complete and you WILL NOT be placed on a waiting list. Remember, just because you have submitted this pre-application, you are not guaranteed placement on a waiting list or guaranteed housing assistance.
Date of birth

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