Frequently Asked Questions
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Frequently Asked Questions

Eligibility and Application Process

Snow Belt Housing Company, Inc. provides Lewis County community members with Homeless Prevention Program, Property Rehabilitation, and Property Management services. All programs and services offered by the agency aim to stabilize safe housing options for the low-moderate income population by assisting homeowners, occupants, and tenants through construction rehabilitation, homeless prevention- short-term rental vouchers, and affordable rental options.
Affordable housing means that the household will not pay more than 30% of their income towards housing. According to the US Census Bureau (American Community Survey), an average of 37.2% of renters are considered cost-burdened. Snow Belt Housing Company, Inc. has several affordable options for renters to assist with lowering the total housing costs.

“Low income” is a measurement used by funding sources to target households that make less than the average annual income for Lewis County.

In 2023, the maximum income to be considered low income was $45,500 for a single person and $64,950 for a family of four. The rate is determined by HUD every year.

Even though each property has different income restrictions, they all require the following documents: a complete and signed application (with signed consent forms), eight consecutive weeks of income, proof of assets (bank accounts, assets, etc.), income tax returns and W2, and Proof of identity (Birth Certificate for all children under 18, SS Card for all household members, Driver’s License, or ID for all adults over 18). Each application will have a full list of required documents.
Each construction rehabilitation program will require different documents, but the sooner you gather the information, the smoother the verification process. Please read and complete the application and handbook (to include signing consent forms), be prepared to provide copies of the last eight consecutive weeks of income, proof of assets (bank accounts, assets, etc.), income tax returns, and W2, Proof of identity (Birth Certificate for all children under 18, SS Card for all household members, Driver’s License or ID for all adults over 18).
The Homeless Prevention Case Manager can assist with gathering all required documents. Snow Belt Housing Company, Inc. believes there is no wrong door to access a solution to prevent homelessness. Our Homeless Case Manager and Support Staff can walk you through your next steps to secure housing stability.
To get started, you must answer a few simple questions:
  • Do you have a safe place to sleep tonight?
    If not, please contact:
    WARMING CENTER – 315-955-6240 – 5499 Jackson Street, Lowville
    Emergency Sheltering Option – OPEN 7 am-7 pm – October 1st-April 1st
    Lewis County DSS Emergency Assistance – 315-376-5400 – 5274 Outer Stowe Street, Lowville
    Temporary Housing Options for Qualified Applicants – After Hours Contact: 315-376-7745.
    Lewis County Opportunities Victim Services- 315-376-4357- Lowville
    Emergency Victim Assistance Shelter
  • Do you have an eviction notice for non-payment of rent or a court-ordered eviction date?
The application process varies depending on available funding, availability of contractors, and how quickly the verification process takes. Homeowners will need to express interest by filling out a pre-application so that the funding source is aware there is interest in the program and will refund the grant; then, the project must go through an income eligibility phase and project eligibility phase. Unfortunately, no emergency programs are available, but this program is a 100% grant.
Potential tenants will fill out an application and be placed on a waitlist. Once an apartment is a planned move-out program, staff will work on eligibility with the applicant to determine a move-in date.
The Rehabilitation Program is intended to assist homeowners in performing rehabilitation activities necessary to help alleviate the substandard conditions of their homes. The rehabilitation assistance is 100% grant-funded and dependent on grant availability.
Only properties that are determined to be substandard are eligible to be assisted under this program.
Eligibility is based on the following six qualifiers: income eligibility (for homeowners or renters), documentation of ownership, unit eligibility, property tax payments, homeowner’s insurance, and maximum rehabilitation assistance allowed.

Types of Housing and Accommodations

Snow Belt Housing Company, Inc. works in partnership with several community agencies that can help house someone during an emergency; please contact any of the following resources if you are experiencing an emergency after hours, on the weekends, or holidays.
WARMING CENTER – 315-955-6240 – 5499 Jackson Street, Lowville
Emergency Sheltering Option – OPEN 7 am-7 pm – October 1st-April 1st
Lewis County DSS Emergency Assistance – 315-376-5400 – 5274 Outer Stowe Street, Lowville
Temporary Housing Options for Qualified Applicants – After Hours Contact: 315-376-7745.
Lewis County Opportunities Victim Services- 315-376-4357- Lowville
Emergency Victim Assistance Shelter
Housing rental vouchers are available for veterans and senior citizens.

Financial Questions

It depends on which property you are applying for. There are 5 apartment buildings that have project-based rental vouchers and house tenants who are elderly or adults who have been diagnosed with a disabling condition for no more than 30% of their monthly income.
Other affordable options will qualify tenants based on their income and rent at an affordable rate determined by the funding source.
Snow Belt’s Homeless Prevention Program can offer short-term support for rent, paying rental arrears, and then connect applicants to long-term affordable options and additional community resources to assist with utilities.

Location and Community

Scattered sites throughout Lewis County.
The Property Management Program staff oversees the management of thirteen affordable properties totaling 169 units. Five properties managed by Snow Belt serve senior citizens and adults diagnosed with a disability. To meet the needs of this population, our staff works collaboratively with several community support agencies, such as the Office of the Aging, Northern Regional Center for Independent Living, Lewis County Food Pantry, etc.) to host tenant associations, food delivery meal sites and workshops (supportive programming) on site. Each workshop has served 4-10 tenants over the past year. The topics ranged from Senior Citizen Electronic Connectivity, Medicare Enrollment, Public Transportation Education, SNAP Healthy Choices Program, Community Outreach for Sign Language, and other tenant-requested workshops.

Support Services

There is a 24-hour emergency maintenance line to report urgent concerns during the week, after hours, on the weekends, or holidays. All routine maintenance calls are handled by contacting your property manager or filling out a maintenance request form. Snow Belt Housing Company Inc. requires tenants to report all maintenance concerns, inspect each unit annually, and take pride in maintaining safe and affordable housing.

Feedback and Problem Resolution

Snow Belt Housing Company, Inc. is a Lewis County Fair
Housing Task Force member and supports tenant rights. If
there are any concerns during the application or tenancy,
then anyone can report concerns to the Lewis County Fair
Housing Office (315-376-5919 or email
casandrabuell@lewiscounty.ny.gov). There are satisfaction surveys for each program, check under the Contact Us tab on our website menu.

There are satisfaction surveys for each program, check under the Contact Us tab on our website menu. We
welcome all feedback, which can be written and dropped off at our office’s secure lockbox, left in the secure rent boxes on site, or sent to our general email at information@snowbelt.org.

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