Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies

Sec. 8-37ee-305. Selection methodology

(a) For purposes of fairness and equity the department allows either a point system or a purely random lottery selection method. However, if there is a tie score under the point system method and there is a limited number of units available for persons with the same point score, the random selection method or first come, first serve (chronological order) shall be used in conjunction with the point system to select which applicant gets the unit.

(b) Point System Selection Method

(1) Point systems may be altered by the Commissioner to comply with fair housing goals. Where a program dictates other kinds of requirements, e.g. limited equity cooperatives may look for participants willing to put in sweat equity, points for such neutral categories may be added with the approval of the Commissioner.

(A) Calculation of Points - The applicant receives the full point score or none; subjective practical scoring is not allowed. Where department program requirements mandate selection criteria such as age, income, etc., applicants shall first meet that standard. Where an applicant does not meet the program requirements, the applicant may be rejected without further analysis.

(2) The following is the Department's approved point system that recipients shall use.

(a) If this resident selection category is used, the 10 points shall be awarded to both residents and least likely to apply applicants. However, if the owner chooses, more points may be awarded to the least likely to apply applicants (e.g. 15, 20, 25 points, etc.).

(3) Points shall be added up for each applicant. The department recommends that the recipient create a pool of candidates with the highest score and which exceed the number of available units by bedroom size by at least three times. Applicants shall be selected by a lottery.

(4) If the number of applicants does not exceed the number of available units by bedroom size by at least three times applicants may be selected on a first come first serve basis.

(c) Random Selection Method - Lottery

If recipients select the random selection method the factors they shall use in determining selection shall include:

(1) Determining the income eligibility of all applicants;

(2) Pre-screening/interviewing for credit worthiness and other reasonable common rental or ownership criteria; and for verification of applicant information.

(3) Putting all applicants with favorable interviews, that is, having no ground for disqualification based on subsection (e) of this section, back in the pool and choosing by a lottery system.

(d) Interview or Home Visit

(1) Ideally all applicants meeting income guidelines should be interviewed. When a large number of applicants apply, recipients may conduct interviews and/or home visits with only those who meet the minimum threshold point score, so long as the number of interviewees significantly exceeds the number of available units.

(2) The interview should be used for purposes of verifying and clarifying information in the application as well as exploring the ability and willingness of the applicant to meet financial commitments and to assume the other responsibilities of tenancy or ownership. Points should not be added or subtracted as a result of the home visit and interview unless information on the application was erroneous.

(e) Grounds for disqualification

(1) Applicants may be disqualified from final selection upon documentary verification of any of the following: (A) the applicant or any member of the applicant's household has a history of disturbing neighbors, destroying property, or living or housekeeping habits which would substantially interfere with the health, safety, or peaceful enjoyment of other residents; (B) the applicant has a history of rental nonpayments within the past 12 months without reasonable justification (justification might be: substandard housing, loss of a job, etc.); (C) the applicant has knowingly falsified information in the application process; or (D) the applicant cannot demonstrate an ability to pay the base rent.

(2) Applicants deemed ineligible, for whatever reason(s), shall be notified in writing, before the final selection, of the reason(s) for rejection and their right to appeal within ten days of the rejection. Recipients should inform applicants that an appeal should be made immediately to assure their return to the applicant pool if they prevail. An impartial hearing officer shall be chosen by the recipient who shall issue a written opinion within five days of the hearing. All appeals should be heard within five days of the request.

(3) Applicants still aggrieved shall be informed of their right to appeal the decision of the hearing officer to the department's affirmative action office. Such appeal shall be made in writing, and brought within ten days of the adverse decision.

(4) Recipients shall keep the following materials on file for at least three years: (1) application; (2) initial rejection notice; (3) any applicant reply; (4) the recipient's final response; and (5) all interview and verified information on which the rejection was based.

(Effective February 2, 1994)