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School Application

Applicant FAQs

Do I have to be a Dane County resident to apply or receive assistance?

No, you do not. However, preference is given to those living, working, or attending a training program in Dane County.

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What changes should I report, and how do I report them?

You should report changes of mailing address, income, family composition, or any other changes to the information you originally stated on your application. If you apply and are placed on the waiting list via the August 2023 waiting list opening DCHA held, you will be able to submit reports of changes and other updates via the online application web portal. If you applied and were placed on the waiting list via a paper application, you must submit your changes in writing to DCHA through any of the following methods:

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We only contact applicants by mail, so please make sure your address is current with us.  If mail we send out is returned as undeliverable or not responded to, your name will be withdrawn from the list and you will need to reapply at a later time.  

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What are the income guidelines?

Income limits are calculated by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for each fiscal year. You can click here to be brought to the most current income guidelines for Dane County, or follow the instructions below to navigate to it on your own.

To find the most recent income limits for the Dane County area, go to the HUD FY Income Limits Documentation System website. Scroll down and select "Wisconsin - WI" in the state select box, and then "Dane County, WI" in the county select box. You may then click "View County Guidelines", and it will bring up the relevant information. 

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I just submitted my application. How long will I have to wait for help?

There is no simple or definitive answer to this question because an applicant’s wait time will depend upon factors like their eligibility, whether or not they have a preference, the date of the application, etc. In general, an applicant’s wait for assisted housing (Public Housing) or housing assistance (Section 8) can vary from months to several years. Public Housing applicants, in addition to the above factors, must also wait until there is a vacant unit available that meets the needs of the family.

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Where am I on the waiting list, and what's my wait time going to be?

DCHA does not give out numbers or rankings on the waiting list, simply because your position fluctuates as new applicants are added and others are taken off the waiting lists. We are only able to confirm whether you are active on our waiting list(s) and if your mailing address is correct if you contact us regarding your status.

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If you applied to the online waiting list opening DCHA held in August of 2023, you will be able to check your lottery status (whether your application got selected or not from the lottery) via this link.

 

Please ensure that you keep DCHA up to date on your mailing address - if mail we send out is returned as undeliverable or not responded to, your name will be withdrawn from the list and you will need to reapply at a later time.

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Can I apply with you for emergency housing and/or rental assistance?

No. We do not provide application-based emergency housing or rental assistance. We also do not provide assistance in searching for housing or advice for legal questions or landlord-tenant disputes. Though you may be eligible for, and in need of housing assistance, there are unfortunately not enough funds to assist everyone who qualifies. This is why the waiting lists and the waiting times are so long.

 

The DCHA Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program operates on a referral basis. You cannot apply with us for an EHV - prospective EHV recipients must be referred to us by local Continuum of Care organizations and the Coordinated Entry list. 

Applicant Information
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