How to Request Maintenance or Repairs in Your Unit
Maintaining a safe, comfortable, and well-functioning home is an important part of the Public Housing experience. The Housing Authority provides maintenance services to address repair needs, maintain property conditions, and ensure that residential units meet applicable health and safety standards.
Residents are encouraged to report maintenance concerns as soon as they are identified. Prompt reporting helps prevent minor issues from becoming more serious problems and allows maintenance staff to respond efficiently.
How to Submit a Maintenance Request
Residents can report maintenance or repair issues through the communication methods authorized by the Housing Authority. Depending on the available services, these may include:
- By Phone: Contact the Housing Authority's maintenance department or property management office to report the issue.
- In Person: Visit your property management office during regular business hours to request assistance.
- Resident Portal: If an online resident portal is available, submit a maintenance request electronically and track its progress.
When submitting a request, provide your name, address, unit number, contact information, and a clear description of the problem. Include the location of the issue within your unit and any relevant details that may help maintenance staff evaluate the situation.
Understanding Maintenance Request Priorities
Maintenance requests are evaluated and prioritized based on the nature of the problem, its urgency, and any potential risks to residents or property.
Emergency Maintenance Requests
Emergency maintenance issues involve conditions that present an immediate threat to health, safety, or property and require urgent attention.
Examples of emergency maintenance situations may include:
- Suspected gas leaks or strong gas odors.
- Major water leaks or flooding.
- Sewage backups affecting sanitary conditions.
- Exposed electrical wiring, sparking outlets, or other serious electrical hazards.
- Complete loss of essential utilities under conditions that create an immediate safety concern.
- Broken exterior doors or locks that compromise unit security.
- Other hazardous conditions that make the unit unsafe.
Important: Emergency maintenance issues should be reported immediately using the Housing Authority's designated emergency maintenance contact number. Do not wait for regular business hours or rely solely on an online maintenance request.
For immediate life-threatening emergencies, such as a fire or serious medical emergency, call 911. If you suspect a gas leak, leave the area immediately and contact emergency services or your gas utility from a safe location.
Emergency work orders receive priority attention. Response and repair timelines depend on the nature of the emergency, applicable requirements, and the Housing Authority's maintenance procedures. Some situations may require immediate protective measures followed by additional repairs.
Routine Maintenance Requests
Routine maintenance requests involve repairs that do not present an immediate threat to health or safety but are necessary to maintain the unit in good working condition.
Common examples include:
- Minor plumbing leaks or dripping faucets.
- Malfunctioning appliances provided by the Housing Authority.
- Interior door, cabinet, or hardware repairs.
- Minor electrical fixture issues that do not present an immediate hazard.
- Window screens, blinds, or other non-emergency repairs.
- General wear-and-tear issues requiring maintenance attention.
Routine requests are generally scheduled according to their priority, staff availability, required materials, and the Housing Authority's established maintenance procedures.
Residents will be provided with additional information when an appointment or access to the unit is necessary.
What Happens After You Submit a Request?
Once a maintenance request is received, the Housing Authority will review the reported issue and determine the appropriate response.
The maintenance process generally includes:
- Request Received: The maintenance concern is documented and entered into the work order system.
- Priority Assessment: The request is evaluated and classified according to urgency and potential safety risks.
- Work Order Assignment: Maintenance personnel or an authorized contractor is assigned to address the issue.
- Inspection and Repair: Staff assess the problem and perform the necessary repairs or determine whether additional work is required.
- Work Order Completion: The completed work is documented, and any outstanding repairs may be scheduled for follow-up.
Some repairs may require specialized contractors, replacement parts, or additional inspections, which can affect completion timelines.
Resident Responsibilities
Residents play an important role in maintaining their homes and supporting timely maintenance services.
To help ensure repairs are completed efficiently, residents should:
- Report maintenance concerns promptly.
- Provide accurate information about the problem.
- Keep their contact information current.
- Allow authorized maintenance personnel reasonable access to the unit in accordance with lease requirements and applicable notice procedures.
- Keep areas requiring repairs reasonably accessible.
- Follow safety instructions provided by maintenance staff.
- Report recurring problems or repairs that have not fully resolved the original issue.
Residents should not attempt unauthorized repairs, modifications, or alterations to Housing Authority property. Unauthorized work may create safety risks, cause additional damage, or result in charges or lease violations under applicable policies.
Following Up on a Maintenance Request
If a maintenance concern has not been resolved within the expected timeframe, residents should contact the maintenance department or property management office for an update.
When following up, provide the original request date, work order number if available, and a description of the outstanding issue.
If the condition has worsened or presents a new health or safety risk, report the change immediately so the request can be reassessed and prioritized appropriately.
Need Assistance?
The Housing Authority is committed to maintaining safe, sanitary, and properly maintained housing for its residents.
If you need assistance submitting a maintenance request, have questions about an existing work order, or require a reasonable accommodation related to maintenance services, contact your property management office or the Housing Authority's maintenance department.
Important Reminder: Maintenance priorities, response times, emergency procedures, resident responsibilities, and repair charges are governed by the Housing Authority's maintenance policies, applicable lease provisions, and relevant HUD requirements. Residents should always use the designated emergency reporting procedures for urgent maintenance concerns.