Note from Chief HCV Officer, Cheryl L. Burns

What do you think about Owner News as a monthly e-newsletter? We hope you are enjoying the format and find the information useful as you navigate the ins and outs of the HCV Program. Each issue includes a short how-to, an answer to a common question and a timely program reminder ... plus links to news you may have missed and helpful resources.

How to Track Rent Increase Requests on the HCV Owner Portal

Did you recently submit a rent increase request for your HCV unit?

If yes, you can track its progress directly on the HCV Owner Portal! Once logged in, all you need to do is hover over the FINANCE menu and click on Rent Increase Tracker. Rent increase requests are organized in a table, which can be sorted by any of the field headers (i.e., Vendor #, Tenant Name, Voucher #, Step).

The 'Step' column will list a number (1-5) that shows where the request is in the process. To learn more about each step, hover over the number in the tracker bar to see a pop-up window. If the step includes a red X, the request was denied.

Remember: Form errors can lead to processing delays so it's important to make sure all the information is correct before submitting. If you're making a change to utility responsibilities, they must be clearly marked in the utility table (e.g., Water Heating | Natural Gas — Paid by: O; Other Electric — Paid by: T; Water & Sewer — Paid by: O) and will require a new HAP Contract and lease to be executed.

Reminder: Market Analysis and Comparables

Before submitting a rent increase request or Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) packet, it is vital that property owners have a clear understanding of the market, including comparable units in the area, and use this to determine the 'Requested Rent' or 'Asking Rent' amount.

Remember, the best comparable units are:

Within a 1-mile radius of the property (the closer, the better).
Unsubsidized (i.e., market rate) and leased within the last year.
The same property type (single-family, duplex, high rise, etc.).
The same unit size (number of bedrooms).
The same utility responsibilities.

If you have comparable unit data that you want CHA to consider during the rent determination process, it must be submitted to AffordableHousing.com prior to or at the same time as the rent increase request or RTA packet submission.

Click here for a tutorial on how to add comparable units to AffordableHousing.com.

Note: CHA will review all viable comparables; however, there is no guarantee that what you submit will be used in determining the Contract Rent amount for the unit.

FAQ Corner: Unit Turnover

Property owners often ask ... “How should I prepare my property for new tenants?”

Preparing your vacant units for new tenants is a big step in property management and it's important to make sure everything is in good condition before your next tenant moves in. Here are steps you can take to make sure your property is ready for move-in day!

Prepare a Checklist

Creating a checklist will help you identify what needs to be accomplished early-on. It will also help you stay organized throughout the turnover process.

Conduct Move-Out Inspections

Items to look for during your inspection include broken appliances, damage to the flooring, cracked or broken windows and any personal items left behind by the previous tenant. In addition, it's important to make sure plumbing and electrical wiring are also in good condition.

Make Repairs

Repair any damages noted during the move-out inspection. This would also be the time to make upgrades or add amenities to help your unit stand out. If there are any materials needed to make repairs, order them as soon as possible so the repairs can be made in a timely matter.

Cleaning

Make sure to deep clean the unit from ceiling to floor. Consider hiring a professional cleaning service to save you time.

Change the Locks

This will ensure your property is secure and help your new tenants feel safe. A local locksmith can ensure this is done safely and effectively.

Market Your Property

Once your unit is rent-ready, take pictures that you can use to market your property. Include as many photos and details in your listing as possible as it will help you find compatible tenants for your unit.

Show Your Property

Set up times for applicants to tour your property. Showcase your property and be prepared to answer questions during the tour.

Screen Your Tenants

Verify that the information listed on the rental application is correct. Be sure to follow fair housing laws throughout the screening process.

Sign the Lease

Review the lease with your new tenants and answer any questions they may have. Both parties should sign the lease before turning over the keys.

RTA Timeline

Processing a new move once CHA receives a complete and accurate Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) packet is estimated to take approximately 7 weeks. The RTA packet cover page includes the timeline as well as a breakdown of the steps involved in the process.

As a reminder, RTA packets cannot be dropped off in person ... they must be uploaded to the HCV Owner Portal or, for property owners new to the HCV Program, submitted via email to ownerinfo@thecha.org.

Remember: Attention to detail is key! Is the information provided on each form within the packet accurate? Have you included all necessary supporting documentation? Make sure to double-check before submission as missing, incorrect or incomplete information will result in processing delays.

Women in Construction Week

Last month, we celebrated Women in Construction Week 2024 to honor and promote the role of women in the construction industry!

WIC Week is coordinated by the National Association of Women in Construction (NAWIC) and has been held every year during the first full week of March since 1998. The theme for this year's WIC Week was 'Keys to the Future' — recognizing the role women are playing in shaping the future of the construction industry.

Health and Wellness Corner: April is National Stress Awareness Month

Stress can have a negative impact on your body so it's important to learn how to manage it in a healthy way. By practicing healthy coping skills, you can turn a negative into a positive with regard to your mental and physical well-being. Some steps you can take to manage stress, include:

Limiting alcohol intake
Connecting with others, including friends and family
Taking care of your body (i.e., eating healthy, getting enough sleep, exercising)

If you're in need of assistance, there are many mental health resources available that can help you improve your emotional well-being:

988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline

24/7, free and confidential support, prevention and crisis resources.

Trained 988 operators provide immediate support, and referrals to mobile crisis teams or the 911 system, as needed.

Call: 9-8-8

Text: 9-8-8

Chat: 988lifeline.org/chat

IL Warmline

Free support for emotional support, recovery education, self-advocacy support, and referrals.

Open Monday thru Saturday from 8 a.m. - 8 p.m., excluding holidays.

Call: 866-359-7953

TTY: 866-880-4459

National Sexual Assault Hotline

Free, confidential 24/7 support, help, advice and resources.

Call: 800-656-4673 (HOPE)

Chat: hotline.rainn.org/online

Greater Lawn Clinic

If you're not sure who to call and what services are needed, Greater Lawn Clinic (4150 W. 55th St.) provides assistance for free on Tuesdays & Thursdays,8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Call: 312-747-1020

North River Mental Health Center

This location (5801 N. Pulaski Rd.) provides children and adolescent services, psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) groups and has Spanish-speaking clinicians.

Open on Wednesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Call: 312-744-1906

Lawndale Mental Health Center

This location (1105 S. Western Ave.) provides children and adolescent services and has Spanish-speaking clinicians.

Open on Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8:30 a.m. - 7:30 p.m.

Call: 312-746-5905

CHA Wants to Hear From You!

The Chicago Housing Authority (CHA) is interested in your experience on our website, www.thecha.org.

We have created a short, secure survey to understand what tasks on the website are most important to you. It should take no more than 5 minutes to complete.

The results from this survey will be used to make improvements to CHA’s website. Your responses will be completely anonymous unless you choose to submit your email address to take part in future CHA research at the end of the survey.

Note: Participation in this survey or other research activities is entirely optional.

Take the survey now by clicking here.

The survey will close on April 21, 2024. Thank you for participating!

Upcoming Events

Pest Management

Tuesday, April 16, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Register Now

Plagued by pests? Join us for a session on how to safely and effectively prevent and remove invasive bugs, rodents and other pests. We’ll review common pest problems, Integrated Pest Management (IPM), chemical safety, and preventative measures to keep you pest free.

Understanding and Building Credit

Tuesday, May 7, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Register Now

Credit can play a major role in your financial life and having a good credit score may be essential for housing options or applying for loans. Learn simple strategies for building your credit and maintaining a good score as well as credit dispute resolution and how you can protect yourself from identity theft.

New Owner Bootcamp

Thursday, May 16, 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. | 4859 S. Wabash Avenue | Register Now

Join us at the Charles A. Hayes Family Investment Center (FIC) to learn the ins and outs of the HCV Program including how to get started, the rent determination process, HQS inspections and HCV Program enforcement.

Property Owner Networking Event

Thursday, June 13, Noon to 2 p.m. | 4400 W. Lawrence Avenue | Register Now

Join fellow property owners at the Mayfair Branch Library to share experiences, discuss best practices and learn from each other. CHA staff will be on hand to help facilitate the event, but the evening is all yours.

Mental Health 101

Tuesday, June 18, 1 p.m. to 2:30 p.m. | Register Now

Mental health plays a significant role in our everyday lives and impacts how we think, feel and act. Learn about the steps you can take to care for your mental health.

Save the Date: 2024 CHA Owner Symposium

Monday, September 23, 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. | In Person and Online via Webex Events

The Owner Symposium is CHA's premier event for Chicago property owners, managers and other real estate professionals. Now in it's 15th year, this day-long event features 'back to basics' educational sessions, numerous networking opportunities, and access to dozens of housing industry vendors in the exhibit area.

Registration is scheduled to open this summer, and space for the in-person event will be limited. Visit chaownersymposium.org for the most up-to-date information about the event.

Resources for Property Owners

HCV Webinars are available on-demand!

Dozens of recorded sessions are available for you to watch anytime, including Getting Started with the HCV Program, How to Complete Common CHA Forms and Packets, Energy Efficiency and Utility Assistance and many, many more!

We want to hear from you! Especially if you’ve never attended one of our educational sessions before ... please take a minute to share what you'd like to see from HCV education and events.

TAKE THE SURVEY

Have leasing-related questions, or want to request a 1:1 consultation?

The HCV Owner Outreach team is here to help. Email owneroutreach@thecha.org. ¡También ofrecemos estos servicios en español!

Bookmark some of our other favorite online resources

Affordability Calculator (for non-Mobility area units): chahcvportal.org under the MOVES menu.
Check your inspection appointments and results: chainspections.org
Search the interactive Mobility Area Map: thecha.org/mobility and scroll to the bottom.
Add comparable units to CHA's rent reasonableness database: AffordableHousing.com (free account required), log in and click COMPARABLES in the left-hand menu.
View/download HAP Statements or submit a rent increase request: chahcvportal.org under the FINANCE menu.

Thanks for Reading

We appreciate your continued partnership! If you liked this newsletter, or have topic suggestions for newsletter articles or webinars, reply to this email and let us know.

Looking for past editions of Owner News? Find them on the HCV Owner Portal at chahcvportal.org, under RESOURCES.