Home of My Own of WNY continues to work to provide as much independent residential housing to the disability community as possible, but unfortunately, the demand here in WNY outpaces the supply we can provide at this time. If you or a loved one would like to apply for an apartment at our Williamsville location, here are the details you need to know.
Please read the Independent Living Guide—this should give potential tenants an idea of the expectations and skills required to successfully live independently. While we understand that some skills will be mastered in the first weeks and months of moving in, most of the skills in the guide should be there before considering applying. Signing a year lease and going through the process of moving in is a BIG deal—please make sure the potential tenant wants to move and is truly ready for the level of independence that is required at this property.
Finances
All rental applications will be processed through a third-party property management company. Potential tenants must be approved based on credit, income, and financial history. This includes SSI/SSD or other social program income. If potential tenants are unable to qualify on their own, a co-signer will be required. Credit and background checks will be completed for everyone on the lease. Individual non-refundable application fees apply.
At this time, there is a flat rate for monthly rent. Should a set of roommates wish to sign a lease to live together, the monthly rent will be shared and billed by the property management company. Utilities are handled independently by the tenant(s). In a roommate situation, both tenants would share the electric utilities and need to make arrangements for that.
IMPORTANT:
This is a private apartment complex owned by a non-profit, and rent is currently lower than the market rate in the area. Though Home of My Own of WNY strives to keep rent affordable, the monthly rent will exceed any housing subsidy tenants may apply and/or qualify for. Unlike what may be found with some certified housing situations, tenants should expect that rent will exceed a subsidy award. Additionally, tenants applying for a new housing subsidy through OPWDD should be prepared to wait MONTHS for a response. Tenants are required to sign a year lease and should plan to pay the full rent until – and if – a housing subsidy is awarded.
Security deposit, equal to one month’s rent, is also required prior to move-in.
Waitlist
Home of My Own of WNY will not be maintaining an ongoing traditional “waitlist” as many families in WNY are accustomed to - our approach focuses on the current needs of potential tenants seeking immediate residential housing. Knowing that so many life factors can change year-to-year, our goal is to ONLY review applicants who are ready to make a move immediately, or in the short term, and who are capable of living independently. Currently we only have one property, located in Williamsville. With twelve apartments, there is extremely limited availability based on lease renewals.
As a landlord, it is imperative that downtime between renters be minimized to maintain financial stability for our organization. Therefore, applications will be processed on a first in, first out basis, with considerations made for the following:
- Timing – Home of My Own of WNY will look to fill vacant apartments as quickly as possible. This means we will unfortunately be unable to hold apartments for potential tenants to coordinate their finances, furniture, support staff, roommates or other. We will also be unable to hold spots for anyone needing to terminate an existing lease elsewhere or make changes from another residential placement.
- Financial – Home of My Own of WNY will seek tenants who are able to move in quickly without regard to housing stipends/subsidies. As with most non-certified, traditional apartment leases in the WNY area, the expectation is that the renter will provide the property management company first month’s rent as well as a security deposit upon completion of rental agreement.
Process Overview
Potential tenants and their families should be prepared to check the Home of My Own of WNY website and Facebook page regularly as the application process will only open if/when there is an apartment becoming available. When this happens there will be a notification and application date listed on the website and Facebook page.
IMPORTANT:
Applicants must complete the Potential Tenant Survey before submitting the application form. Then when the application process opens, applicants will fill out a quick form on the website and submit. Applications will be reviewed on a first-come, first-served basis.
Once an applicant has gone through the entire application process, they will receive an email letting them know of their status. If the applicant is moved to the next step in the process, they will fill out the apartment credit application.
Current tenants do not need to apply annually; they will need to meet with Home of My Own of WNY and renew their lease with the property management company.
Click the button below for the step-by-step application process.