A waitlist for senior and disabled housing opens, but just for brief period.

There are no lines of sleeping bags or folding chairs for this opening, yet what’s being offered is more precious than tickets to a big show or the latest smartphone. It’s a rare commodity in Monterey County: subsidized housing for seniors and disabled people.

Part of why it’s so rare in the case of seniors is because once people win a coveted spot, they tend to stay put for years, says Joni Ruelaz, housing program manager for the Housing Authority of Monterey County. It’s possible for qualified applicants to wait several years before getting an apartment.

From Aug. 7-31, the housing authority will accept applications for waitlists for four housing projects: three existing apartment complexes and one under construction. They are Rippling River Apartments in Carmel Valley, Dai-Ichi Village in Salinas, Vista Point Apartments in Pacific Grove and Haciendas 3 in Salinas, scheduled to open in 2018. (Three are for both senior and disabled residents; Vista Point is open to those aged 62 and above.)

Applicants must meet income limits of 50 percent of the county’s median income. This year, that translates to a $28,500 annual income for one person, up to $53,750 for a household of eight. Those lucky enough to get an apartment pay monthly rent set at 30 percent of their gross income.

Ruelaz says applicants need not qualify before getting on the waitlist – they only have to qualify once they come in for an interview as units open up. She says less than 50 percent of the people who come in for an interview ultimately meet the requirements. Those people, along with others who find other housing or leave the area, are taken off the waitlist, improving the opportunity for others.

The agency is accepting paper applications by mail, fax, or delivered to the office by the Aug. 31 deadline. Ruelez says people need not come to the Salinas office to pick up applications. She recommends downloading an application for printing.

The link for applications is: hamonterey.org/news_events/elderlydisabled-project-based-wait-list-applications/

The link for instructions on how to fill out the application: hamonterey.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/pbv_cover17-Elderly-Diabled.pdf