EITC (Earned Income Tax Credit)
What is it? The EITC is a tax credit for people who work, but who do not have high incomes. If you qualify, you could pay less or no tax - even get a tax refund. To qualify, you must meet certain rules and file a tax return, even if you don't owe any tax or did not earn enough money to require filing a return.
Am I eligible? The amount of the EITC varies - depending on total earnings, other income and certain other considerations.
For example:
You must be a US citizen, or a non-resident alien married to a US citizen.
If you do not have a qualifying child, you must be between 25and 65 years of age.
If you lived with one child in 2009 and your family earned less than $35,463, you are eligible. If you lived with 3 or more children in 2009 and your family earned less than $43,279, you are eligible. Use form 1040 or 1040 A. If you had no children living with you in 2009 and you earned less than $13.440, and you were between the ages of 25 and 64, you are eligible. Use form 1040, 1040A or 1040EZ.
For more information, contact your nearest Bethlehem Housing Authority management office. The BHA also has informative posters at their offices. We will also be sending info to current residents through rent statement mailings!
Family Self-Sufficiency
BHA's Family Self-Sufficiency Program (FSS) is designed to assist families in Public Housing (and Section 8) to achieve economic independence. The program helps by removing traditional obstacles to success and by improving life skills and providing job training, career development and educational opportunity.
who is eligible? The FSS program is open to all Public Housing and Section 8 tenants who are willing to enter into a contract with the BHA to establish goals and work toward economic self-sufficiency. Participants need only be residents in good standing with BHA.
how does it work? Each participating family is required to enter into a five-year contract. Once the family's goals , needs and barriers to achieving self-sufficiency are determined, an Individual Training and Services Plan will incorporate the path the family will take toward their goal.
what are the benefits? When a family chooses to participate in the FSS program, BHA agrees to establish an escrow savings account during the contract term for the family. Each time the family's earned income increases (causing their rent to increase), they will earn credit for that amount in the interest bearing account. Upon successful completion of the contract, the family is entitled to the money accumulated in their account. In addition to this financial incentive, participating families will also benefit from case management services, including appropriate referals to community resources and services!
For more FSS information, contact:
Gwendolyn Flores, FSS Manager
1429 Fritz Drive (The Northeast Office)
Bethlehem PA 18017
610-419-0368
Recreation
mission: "BHA recognizes the need to provide recreational and entertainment opportunities for all residents." To this end, the authority recreation department sponsors recreation league softball and basketball teams for adults and basketball for school age kids. Director Robert Robinson runs trips to professional sporting events such as Phillies baseball , 76'ers basketball and Iron Pigs baseball. Residents have an opportunity each summer to visit Eagle training camp at Lehigh University and to attend Lehigh University athletic events year long.
special events: Also for kids, the authority throws an end of the summer party at Blazer Field which includes games, refreshments and competition. A day-long basketball tournament is staged for teens, as well as a softball throw, running races and more. The event is co-sponsored by community minded businesses and with the cooperation of the various tenant councils. Trophies are provided for participants.
for adults: Older residents have ample opportunity to avail themselves of entertainment such as the popular "Fall Foliage Tour" in October, the "Christmas Lehigh Valley" events, trips to the Lehigh Valley Flower Show in March and now, shopping trips to local centers in the valley.
Recreation Director
Robert Robinson
1161 Fritz Drive (The Fink Building)
Bethlehem PA 18018
484-239-0564
about Tenant Selection: This department is responsible for screening and placing applicants. TSO can answer any questions you may have regarding our programs.
when can you apply? Bethlehem Housing Authority is not accepting any new applications at this time.
who may apply? Any person who is income eligible and is either a head of family, or is handicapped or disabled.
must I be on welfare, or be unemployed? No! Your rent is based upon 30% of your adjusted annual income and assets.
I am disabled; are there special apartments for me? Yes. Some of our properties are specially designed to meet your needs. Call for more info!
Housing Choice Vouchers:
It's a rental assistance program which allows a tenant to rent an apartment anywhere in the country, under certain conditions. The tenant pays a percentage of their adjusted, anticipated income, less the cost of basic utilities.
Fair Market Rent Information
(Lehigh Valley and Warren County (NJ) Metropolitan Statistical Area)
The Fair Market Rents (FMRs) have been updated for this year:
0BR $834 1BR $939 2BR $1196 3BR $1542 4BR $1622 5BR $1865
PS 0BR $1000 1BR $1126 2BR $1435 3BR $1850 4BR $1946 5BR $2238
BHA Income Limits
PERSONS EXTREMELY LOW VERY LOW LOWER
1 19,050 31,750 50,750
2 21,800 36,250 58,000
3 24,500 40,800 62,250
4 27,750 45,300 72,500
5 32,470 48,950 78,300
6 37,190 52,550 84,100
7 41,910 56,200 89,900
8 46,630 59,800 95,700
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Public Housing Flat Rents
For all PH Developments and High Rises
0BR $668
1BR $752
2BR $957
3BR $1234
4BR $1298
For More Information , Contact:
Patricia Donchez
Section 8 Asst. Manager 610-865-8355
645 Main Street
Bethlehem 18018
TDD 610-865-8333
Community Service
what is it?
The Quality Work and Housing Responsibility Act of 1998 contained a component requiring able- bodied public housing residents to perform community service for a minimum of eight hours each month. Exempted from the program are seniors and the disabled , kids under the age of 18, caregivers and those who are employed at least thirty hours per week.
The authority will work closely with residents and assist them in finding suitable service arrangements.
this program is mandatory!
The performance of voluntary work or duties that are a public benefit, and that serve to improve the quality of life, enhance resident self-sufficiency, or increase self-responsibility in the community. CS is not employment and may not include political activities.
Each adult resident shall contribute 8 hours per month or participate in the FSS program for 8 hours per month, or a combination of each totaling 8 hours per month.
Service must be performed at a location within Lehigh and Northampton counties; the activity must be pre-approved by BHA. BHA staff will provide a list of possible organizations to residents, but service to those organizations will not be required. Residents must provide monthly verification to BHA confirming all service performed.
If BHA is able to identify appropriate community service work at its developments, it will offer this opportunity to residents required to comply.
A resident may also satisfy the requirement by participating in Economic Self-Sufficiency programs; these programs include programs for job training employment counseling, work placement, basic skills training, education, English proficiency, workfare and more.
For more Community Service information
contact:
Gwendolyn Flores, FSS Manager
1429 Fritz Drive
Bethlehem PA 18017
610-419-0368
