The Mutual Help Program & Homeownership Program provides for opportunity to purchase affordable housing for lower income families in this area. Qualifications have been established for each program.

*Housing Application can be downloaded at the astribe.com website under the Absentee Shawnee Housing Authority name.

Required Monthly Payments
All monthly payments are due on or before the first day of the month. Five working days are allowed before late charges are assessed. Late charges in the amount of $15.00 will be added beginning the 6th working day of the month.

Inspections
Inspections of all homes under Management by the Housing Authority are conducted on an annual basis. Maintenance for Mutual Help/Homeownership units is the responsibility of the Homebuyer.

Policy is established to enforce the terms of the Mutual Help and Occupancy Agreement (MHOA) and the requirements of the Eligibility, Admission, Occupancy and Payment Policy as it relates to maintenance of the home.

Inspections of Mutual Help Homes are a HUD requirement under Public Law 104-330, Sec 403 (b) of the Native American Housing Assistance and Self-Determination Act of 1996. The Absentee Shawnee Housing Authority shall enforce those provisions of the MHOA under which the homebuyer is responsible for maintenance of the home. The Absentee Shawnee Housing Authority has overall responsibility to HUD for assuring that the house is being kept in a decent, safe and sanitary condition and that the home and grounds are maintained in a manner that will preserve their condition, normal wear and tear excepted. Accordingly, the Absentee Shawnee Housing Authority shall conduct a complete interior and exterior examination of each Mutual Help home at least once a year and shall furnish a copy of the inspection report to the homebuyer.

The Absentee Shawnee Housing Authority shall take appropriate action, as needed, to remedy conditions shown by the inspection, including steps to assure performance of the homebuyer's obligations under the MHOA/ Homeownership Agreement.

Homebuyer Maintenance
Homebuyers are responsible to perform all maintenance of their home. The Absentee Shawnee Housing Authority shall not be obligated to pay for or to provide any maintenance of the home other than the correction of warranty items reported during the applicable warranty period.

Use of Homebuyer MEPA Funds (Mutual Help/Homeownership Program)
Homebuyer payments are computed according to income received into the household. Amounts exceeding the administrative fee are placed in the Monthly Equity Payments Account (MEPA). If all qualifications are met, these funds may be accessed for repairs/improvements, etc. You may contact the Housing Management Dept. for further information.

Drug Free Housing
Drug abuse and use are subjects of immediate concern in our society. These problems are extremely complex and one for which there are no easy solutions. From a safety perspective, the users of drugs may impair the well being and peaceful enjoyment of their property for all residents, endanger the public at large and commit acts that result in damage to property. Therefore, it is the policy of the Absentee Shawnee Housing Authority (ASHA) that the unlawful manufacturing, distribution, dispensing, possession or use of a psychotoxin chemical solvent (inhalants), or controlled substance on or in any property belonging to the ASHA is prohibited. This applies to all programs of the Absentee Shawnee Housing Authority.

Any resident who possesses, uses, gives or in any way transfers a controlled substance to another person or sells or manufactures a controlled substance while on or off ASHA property will be subject to the provisions of this policy as well as other applicable provisions of Federal or Tribal Law.

The Absentee Shawnee Housing Authority works closely with local law enforcement as well as the Pottawatomie County Drug Task force to eliminate this element in the Housing Programs.