Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Click the links below to jump to each section.
- Employment Opportunities FAQs
- Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCV) FAQs
- HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH) FAQs
Q: How do I apply for a job?
A: If you're interested in applying for an open position, please complete an employment application, and submit your resume and salary history. Applications are available online, by email or at our General Offices. Completed applications and other required documents can be submitted online, by email, or delivered or mailed to our General Offices. Applications are accepted for open positions only.
Q: What does the application deadline mean?
A:In order to be considered for an open position, all application materials must be received on or before the application deadline. Materials postmarked but not received by the application deadline will be considered as late.
Q: I submitted my application. What's next?
A:If you've applied for a position with a posted application deadline, you will receive an email acknowledging receipt of your application. Candidates selected for an interview can expect to receive a call within two or three weeks of the application deadline. If you are not selected for an interview, you will not receive additional information outside of the acknowledgement email or letter.
Q: Is there an age requirement for employment?
A: Yes, you must be at least 18 years old in order to be considered for employment.
Q: What is the interview process?
A: If you are selected for an interview, you can expect to receive a call within two to three weeks of the application deadline. After the scheduled interviews are completed, we check a minimum of two work-related references for each candidate of interest. If the position requires a college degree, you will be asked to supply a copy of your college transcripts. Offers of employment are extended contingent on the successful completion of a criminal background check and driver's license verification, as well as a drug screen.
Q: Are there benefits?
A: The following is a list of some of the benefits offered to full-time employees. Part-time and temporary employees are also eligible for limited benefits.
- Securian Pension Program
- Medical and Dental Insurance
- Vision Discounts
- Life Insurance
- Health Reimbursement Arrangement
- Employee Assistance Program
- Sick Leave
- Vacation/Paid Holidays
Q: Do I have to live in Waukegan to be considered for employment?
A: No, we do not have a residency requirement.
Q: Are you an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer?
A: Yes.
Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP)
Q: If I agree to pay part of my security deposit down and the other half in installments, and I don't pay, can my landlord evict me for non-payment of the deposit?
A:Yes! Your landlord can evict you for non-payment of the security deposit, which becomes a violation of your family obligation on your behalf.
Q: If I don't complete my Annual recertification, can my voucher be terminated?
A: Yes! You will be responsible for the full contract rent until the recertification is complete.
Q: When my household has an increase in income, when should I come in and report it?
A: You have within ten (10) calendar days to report in writing any changes.
Q: If I lose an income and report it to the WHA in writing, will I still be responsible for my portion of the rent?
A:Yes! You are responsible for your rent until the adjustment is complete.
Q: Can my landlord evict me without taking me to court?
A: No! The landlord must follow legal procedures, which are noted in the Tenancy Addendum.
Q: Do I have to notify the WHA before moving out of my unit?
A: Yes! If you move without written authorization from the WHA, you will be terminated from the Housing Choice Voucher Program.
Q: If anyone wants to move in/out of my unit, when should I notify the WHA?
A: The WHA should be notified in writing ASAP regarding the change. WHA should be provided with a written request regarding the addition of anyone to the household composition. A criminal background check will be performed on anyone 18 years or older, and verification of income must be done of everyone.
Q: Am I responsible for late fees?
A:Yes, if you are late with your portion of the rent, however, the tenant is not liable for late fees associated with Housing Authority Payments.
Q: If any of my utilities are turned off at any time, can I be terminated from the Housing Program?
A: Yes! Your voucher can be terminated for the shut off of any utility services that the household is responsible for.
Q: How many days after I turn in a request for tenancy approval will it take to inspect the unit?
A: 5 - 10 days. The inspector will contact the landlord to set up the date and time regarding the inspection. No calls will be placed to the participant regarding the scheduling of the inspection. Your case manager will notify you via phone when the inspection passes and inform you of your portion of the rent.
Q: After my initial lease ends may I go on a month-to-month lease?
A:No! Upon your renewal of your Annual Re-Certification, your landlord must provide a new lease that will consist of 12 consecutive months; however, your landlord may agree at any time to allow you to move. This agreement must be in writing and given to your case manager.
Q: Can I be terminated if my unit is not inspected?
A: Yes! After two attempts to inspect your unit your case manager will TERMINATE your voucher.
HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing (HUD-VASH)
Q: If a veteran is interested in participating in the HUD-VASH program, whom should he or she contact?
A: The case managers at the local Veterans Affairs Medical Centers (VAMC) are responsible for referring eligible homeless veterans to the Waukegan Housing Authority. Therefore, any interested homeless veteran should contact their local VAMC directly. HUD has posted a list of VAMCs and participating PHAs on the HUD website.
Q: Does the Waukegan Housing Authority have any role in determining or verifying the veteran's homeless status?
A: No, only the VA will make that determination.
Q: Is it acceptable for the VA case managers to review original documents on the Waukegan Housing Authority's behalf?
A: The PHA is responsible for income and citizenship verifications. The case manager may compile the documents and look them over, but the Waukegan Housing Authority has the final say regarding their appropriateness.
Q: What responsibility does The Waukegan Housing Authority have to determine a family's eligibility to participate in the HUD-VASH program?
A: After the VA refers an eligible homeless veteran to the Waukegan Housing Authority, the Waukegan Housing Authority will determine income eligibility and screen for lifetime sex-offender registrants.
Q: What if a family is over-income?
A: As in the regular voucher program, the Waukegan Housing Authority must determine whether a family is income eligible prior to the provision of HUD-VASH assistance. If the family is over-income based on the most recently published income limits for the family size, the family will be ineligible for HCV assistance. After admission, income limits do not apply.
Q: Can the Waukegan Housing Authority deny assistance to a HUD-VASH family that owes money to the PHA in connection with the Housing Choice Voucher or Public Housing Program?
A: No, the Waukegan Housing Authority will not be able to deny admission to the HCV program to an otherwise eligible HUD-VASH family that previously participated in the PHA's HCV or public housing program (that presumably left owing money or was not in good standing). The Waukegan Housing Authority will only be able to screen for and deny admission to a family member who is subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program.
Q: Under portability, can a receiving PHA deny admission to a HUD-VASH family?
A: The answer above regarding screening applies to receiving PHAs as well as initial PHAs.
Q: What if a family member, other than the veteran, is subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program?
A: Unless the family member that is subject to lifetime registration under a state sex offender law is the homeless veteran, the remaining family member/s may be served if the family agrees to remove the sex offender from its family composition.
Q: Can the Waukegan Housing Authority deny admission to an adult family member, other than the veteran, based on the previous behavior of that family member? For example, the co-head was previously terminated from the Waukegan Housing Authority's voucher program for committing serious or repeated violations of the lease (e.g., non-payment of rent)?
A: No. The prohibition against screening families for anything other than lifetime sex offender status applies to all family members, not just the veteran. The HUD-VASH operating requirements state that, with the exception of screening to determine if any household member is subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program, the PHA does not have the authority to screen "potentially eligible families" or deny assistance in accordance with 982.552 or 982.553.
Q: What procedures must the Waukegan Housing Authority follow when adding a member to the assisted HUD-VASH family?
A: The provisions of 24 CFR Section 982.551(h)(2) apply when a family member is added to the assisted HUD-VASH household after initial occupancy. Other than the birth, adoption, or court-awarded custody of a child, any other family member must be approved by the PHA in accordance with its policies.
