White Plains, N.Y., Mun. Code ch. 9-7 § 9-7-5

(A) Income and Asset Qualification. The ARHP Administrative Agent determines eligibility for participation in the program based on income. Eligible households must have an annual income that falls between 40% and 110% of the Area Median Income level for the appropriate Household Size listed in the Westchester County Area Median Income, Sales and Rent Limits Guide.
(1) Income Sources. Income documentation must be provided for all household members aged 18 and older. Sources may include: employment, Social Security, pension, SSI, SSD, child support, alimony, investment income, dividends, etc. Applicants who have rental subsidies must provide a copy of their voucher or other award letter stating the amount of the subsidy.
(2) Household Asset Limits. The combined value of Household Assets must not exceed the 100% AMI for that Household size, as reported annually by US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and published by Westchester County. Retirement and dedicated education savings accounts will not be counted toward assets.
(B) Application.
(1) Applications for the ARHP can be obtained from the City of White Plains website or at the Planning Department Office.
(2) Applications require submittal of the following income documentation for each person 18 years and older who will reside in the apartment:
(a) Most recent Federal and State Income Tax Returns;
(b) Copy of forms reporting unearned income (child support, alimony, SSI, SSD, investment income, dividends, etc.);
(c) Copy of three (3) most recent bank statements;
(d) Copies of pay check stubs covering two months prior to application submission;
(e) Copy of Pension Award statement, if any;
(f) Copy of Social Security Statement, if any;
(g) Enrollment verification from an accredited school for any full-time student over age 18; and
(h) An Employment Verification Form completed by the Employer of each Household member over 18 years old.
Applications will not be processed until all of the above-listed documents have been submitted.
The ARHP Administrative Agent reserves the right to request additional information to verify/confirm any information required above.
Completed applications and supporting documents can be mailed, emailed, hand delivered, or faxed to the Planning Department.
(3) To qualify for the White Plains Local Preference, applicants must submit additional documentation (see Section (C) below).
(4) Completed applications submitted to the Department of Planning with all required supporting documentation will be date and time-stamped.
(5) The ARHP Administrative Agent will review each application in the order received to determine income eligibility, Household size, AMI category, unit size qualification, and local preference (See Section (C) Local Preference).
(6) When a completed application with all required documentation has been reviewed, the ARHP Administrative Agent will notify each Applicant of their eligibility.
(a) Those determined ineligible for the White Plains ARHP will be notified that they are ineligible and the reason for such determination.
(b) Applicants deemed eligible for the White Plains ARHP will be notified as to the availability of a unit that fits their household size and AMI category, or be placed in the Rental Applicant Pool.
(c) Preference for available units will be given to eligible individuals or households who are current residents of the City of White Plains and have been so for a continuous period of not less than six months, or who are employed by the City of White Plains, the White Plains Housing Authority, the White Plains Urban Renewal Agency, or the White Plains School District. To be considered for the White Plains Residency Preference (local preference), see Section (C) Documentation Requirements, below.
(C) Local Preference. Preference will be given to residents of the City of White Plains, employees of the City of White Plains, the White Plains Housing Authority, the White Plains Urban Renewal Agency, and the White Plains School District.
(1) Residency Preference. To qualify for residency preference [1] , applicants must provide documentation that proves they currently reside in the City of White Plains and have so for a continuous period of not less than six months. Proof of the minimum six-month residency requirement can be verified by the following three options:
Option 1: Provide one document from Category A and one document from Category B; or
Option 2: Provide three documents from Category B; or
Option 3: Provide two documents from Category B and two documents from Category C. Category A Category B Category C • Apartment Lease • Property Deed or Cooperative Stock Certificate • New York State ID • School Enrollment Form/Report Card showing address • Car Registration • Paycheck stub with address • Public Benefit Letter or Statement • Utility Bill (electric, gas, oil, cable) • Bank or other Financial Institution Statement • Credit Card Statement • Cell Phone Bill
(2) Employee Preference. Proof of employment by the City of White Plains, the White Plains Housing Authority, the White Plains Urban Renewal Agency, or the White Plains School District can be provided by submitting a recent pay stub/W-2 Form and a current signed employment verification letter on official letterhead.
(D) Rental Applicant Pool.
(1) The ARHP Administrative Agent will maintain a Rental Applicant Pool of all eligible Applicants sorted and separated by household/unit size, AMI Category and local preference. Applications within each pool will be ordered by the date in which the completed Application is received by the Planning Department.
(2) When a unit becomes available, applicants who are at the top of the list for their pool will be notified by the ARHP Administrative Agent.
(3) The ARHP Administrative Agent will provide the contact information to the leasing agent of the building. The ARHP Administrative Agent will notify the leasing agent that a qualified Applicant will be contacting them to schedule a tour of the unit and property.
(4) If an applicant decides to move forward with leasing a unit, and is approved by the leasing agent, they will enter into a lease agreement with the property management company of that building.
(5) If the Applicant declines the available unit, or is determined to not meet the leasing criteria of the rental building, then that unit will be offered to the next eligible applicant in the appropriate Rental Applicant Pool.
(6) If an applicant declines an available unit at three separate properties, the applicant will be placed at the bottom of the waiting pool and may not be offered an available unit for at least 180 days.
(7) Once in the Rental Applicant Pool, it is the Applicant's responsibility to notify the ARHP Administrative Agent of any change of address, household size, income, mailing address, or other circumstance that may affect eligibility or placement in the Rental Applicant Pool.
(E) Recertification of Eligibility for Continued Participation in the ARHP. Recertification of eligibility will occur every two years. At least 60 days prior to the recertification date, the ARHP Administrative Agent will notify the tenant to complete a recertification form and submit all required documentation in order to determine continued income eligibility for participation in the program.
(1) Changes to Income and/or Household Size.
(a) Tenants have up to one year to move to a smaller or larger unit due to a change in Household size.
(b) If Household Income has increased to a higher AMI category, the rent will be based on the higher AMI category.
(c) If Household Income has decreased to a lower AMI category, the rent will remain in the same AMI category as the most recent recertification.
(d) If Household Income is 110% AMI or greater, the tenant will be determined ineligible for continued participation in the ARHP.
(2) Determination of Ineligibility. If an ARHP tenant is determined ineligible upon recertification, the tenant must vacate the ARHP unit within 90 days.
(F) Rent Adjustments. Rents will be adjusted annually. Adjustments to rent and utility allowances shall be made by the City for the new lease term, based on the HUD rent limits and utility allowances established for Westchester County.
(G) Landlord Notification. Based on tenant recertification, the landlord shall be notified in writing by the ARHP Administrative Agent of any changes to tenant eligibility and changes to rent.