A Regional Coalition for Housing

How do I apply for an ARCH rental unit?

ARCH does not verify or oversee individual rental applications.  The onsite Leasing Team for each property will handle all applications.  Please refer to the apartment list for properties with ARCH units and contact the properties directly.  Additionally, you can sign up for our mailing list to be notified for unit vacancies. 

All apartments will require the following (at a minimum):
   - Completed ARCH Eligibility Form
   - Previous 90 days of paystubs/benefits/recurring monetary gifts, etc.
   - Non-Tax Filing Form (if applicable)
   - Self-Employment Affidavit (if applicable)
   - Gift Affidavit (if applicable)
   - Most Recent W2
   - Most Recent Tax Return

Properties can request further documentations at their discretion.

What is recertification?

ARCH households must recertify before every lease renewal to verify they are still income eligible.  In order to recertify, the property will require updated eligibility information for every member of the household over 18 years of age. 

I have an issue with my apartment, who should I contact?

In the first instance, you should always contact the onsite property managers for issues regarding the unit. 

What is not included in your income eligibility?

• Pell Grants/Federal Student Aid
• Savings
• One-time consolidation loans
• One-time gifts
• Lump sum payouts (e.g. inheritance, life insurance, payments/reimbursements for medical expenses)
• Dollar value of food stamps/WIC/SNAP
• Income for children under 18 years old
• State payments/support toward children in foster care. 

Am I ARCH eligible if I own a residential property out of state?

You are excluded from eligibility in the Rental and Homeownership programs if you are on title for any residential property in the US or otherwise. 

Who is counted as part of a household?

Any person who will be living in the unit for at least 6 months during the year is considered a member of the household.  Each property will have its own restrictions as to the maximum amount of time non household members are allowed to spend in a unit.  

Can I qualify if I do not have verifiable income?

In order to qualify for ARCH housing, you must have some form of verifiable income and/or benefits.  ARCH allows co-signers to meet debt-income ratio requirements, but co-signers cannot take the place of a verifiable income source (i.e. a non-tenant cannot pay the majority/entirety of the rent) except in the following circumstances:

   - An applicant is reliant on Federal/State Benefits (i.e. SSI, SSDI, EITC)
   - An applicant is living on a fixed, retirement income in the form of a Pension

Any ARCH applicant that falls in one of the above categories, must provide a completed ARCH Gift Affidavit and documentation to support their circumstances.

Does legal status impact ARCH eligibility?

State and federal law bars discrimination on the basis of national origin; properties should not base ARCH eligibility on residential/legal status.

If I am legally separated, does my spouse income count towards determining eligibility?

Until there is a final decree of divorce, combined spousal income will be considered in the eligibility verification process.