Frequently Asked Questions
Payments
What are acceptable methods of payment?
The Housing Authority accepts payments online and in person. Direct debits from a checking account and payments made using a Visa or Mastercard are accepted through the online payment system in the Tenant Portal. If you would prefer to pay in person, only money orders and checks are accepted. In-person payments must be made at either our central office or an onsite office location.
When will my payment be credited to my account?
Payments made BEFORE 5:00 PM EST will be credited the same day. Payments made AFTER 5:00 PM EST will be credited the next business day. Payments made on weekends and federal holidays, when banks are closed, will be credited on the next business day.
What is your refund policy?
All payments made online are conditional until accepted and processed by your bank. Payments received by the Housing Authority are accepted “without prejudice.” The Housing Authority reserves the right to reject any payment due to any legal reason. If your payment is rejected, you will receive a refund based on how your payment was made, minus a processing fee, in the mail within two to four weeks from the date of your payment.
Maintnance
Something in my unit has broken or appears damaged. How do I submit a work order?
The two easiest ways to submit a work order are by using the form at the bottom of the home page or by calling the Housing Authority’s main office phone number during normal business hours.
What is considered “emergency maintenance” and what should I do if I need it?
Emergency maintenance relates to items that could pose a serious health or life-threatening risk to residents or Housing Authority staff and/or could cause serious property damage. This includes, but is not limited to:
- No heat (during winter months)
- No air conditioning (during summer months)
- No water or water leaks
- Flooded dwelling unit
- Electrical power failure and/or exposed electrical lines
- Toilet backup or overflow
- Inoperable smoke alarm
If you have an emergency, please call the Housing Authority at 410-758-8634. If you or anyone else is experiencing an immediate life-threatening situation, dial 911.
Applications & Waitlist
How do I apply for housing?
The process begins with submitting an application online at www.qacha.org through the Tenant Portal. We do not offer paper applications; however, the applicant is more than welcome to set up an appointment with a staff member, and they will assist you with the online application process.
Do I have to be a Queen Anne’s County resident to apply?
No, we accept applications from anyone; however, Queen Anne’s County residents do receive preference to the housing that is available. For more details on this, please read the “Tenant Selection from the Waitlist” section on the Application and Waitlist page.
Why does my position shift up and down?
There are a few variables that impact waitlist numbers. Two of the most common reasons include:
- When a unit becomes vacant, we pull 2-3 applicants who are being considered to fill the vacancy. After an applicant is selected, the others will be placed back on the waitlist based on the date and time of their original application.
- Applicants that apply for housing from outside of the county, moving into Queen Anne’s County while they are still on the Waitlist. If an applicant has this happen and makes us aware of the change with a written notice, their application is updated, and they will be given the Queen Anne’s County resident preference.
Why would my application be denied?
The PHA must follow a strict set of guidelines put in place by HUD to maintain eligibility for funding opportunities we use to continue providing assistance to as many people as possible. A few reasons an application may be denied are:
- Lack of income provided on the application.
- You do not meet facility requirements; for example, when applying to a senior community, you must be 62 years of age or older.
- You do not meet occupancy standards; for example, a one-person household applying for a two-bedroom unit.
- If you are a registered sex offender.
- Your background screening does not meet the needed requirements.
- If your income is deemed not substantial enough to cover the minimum monthly contract rent and utility costs at the community.
How does an out of county applicant get housed?
In accordance with our policies and HUD requirements, the PHA closely follows all requirements when selecting tenants from the waitlist for housing. Local residents receive highest priority, followed by other preferences that can be seen on the Application and Waitlist page. While not impossible for an out-of-county resident to obtain housing, it is rare. You can increase your chances by applying to waitlists that have a lower volume of applicants and by meeting the occupancy standards of the community/unit.
I have previously resided or family members currently reside in QAC, do I qualify for local preference?
No. Local preference is granted based on the address submitted with the application. If an applicant moves into QAC while on the waitlist, you can update your application with your new address, which would allow you local preference.
Why was my application removed from the waitlist?
The most common reasons an applicant is removed from the waitlist are:
- An applicant is determined to not meet minimum requirements for the community they are applying for.
- If no response is received from the applicant when mailed correspondence is sent to them within the required timeframe.
- If mailed correspondence is returned to us without a forwarding address.
Can I get back on the waitlist if I am removed/denied?
Yes. Being removed from the waitlist does not remove your right to apply again unless stated otherwise. Additional applications submitted by the individual(s) should take into consideration the reason(s) their application was removed/denied in the first place. Continuous applications made with no attempt to correct invalidating information could result in action being taken by the PHA. For assistance filing an application, please contact the office by either using the form on the website or calling 410-758-8634.
Other
How does the Housing Authority determine who qualifies for housing?
The Housing Authority is required to follow the Income Guidelines provided by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to determine who qualifies for low-income housing. Applicants who meet these criteria are housed on a first-come, first-served basis based on an applicant waiting list. Please see the image below for more detailed information. As a note, Queen Anne’s County is considered part of the Baltimore-Columbia-Towson area.
Where can I learn more about the Housing Authority’s policies?
The Queen Anne’s County’s Housing Authority always welcomes questions involving their policy and procedures. Typically, most policies regarding existing tenants are provided in conjunction with their lease. Other questions can be answered by calling the main office at 410-758-8634 or using the form on the Contact Us page.
To read the current list of policies that the Housing Authority operates on as of May 1, 2023, please click on the links below: