Knowledge base

Answers the AI may give without verifying the caller. Changes apply on the next call or chat.

Add an answer

Can I have a pet in my unit?

Added by staff

Yes. Residents may keep one common household pet, such as a cat or a small dog, with an approved pet agreement on file and a pet deposit. Service and assistance animals are not pets and do not need a pet agreement — just let your housing specialist know.

petdogcatanimalpet deposit

Other · edited 9/8/2026 by staff

Edit

Do you have someone who speaks Spanish?

Shipped

Yes. We provide free language assistance. If you would like to continue in Spanish, please say Spanish now and I will transfer you to a Spanish-speaking specialist. Para continuar en espanol, diga espanol ahora.

spanishespanoltranslatorinterpreterlanguage

Language access · edited 9/6/2026

Edit

How can I pay my rent?

Shipped

You can pay rent four ways: online through Rent Cafe at rentcafe dot com, by mail with a check or money order, in person at the main office during business hours, or at a participating Western Union location. We do not accept cash at the front desk.

pay rentpaymenthow do i payrent cafemoney order

How to pay rent · edited 9/6/2026

Edit

How do I apply for a Section 8 voucher?

Shipped

The Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waitlist is currently closed. When it reopens, applications are taken online at our website. We will announce reopenings on our website, on social media, and through local news.

section 8voucherhousing choicehcv

Section 8 / voucher · edited 9/6/2026

Edit

How much is my rent?

Shipped

Your specific rent amount is in your tenant ledger. I cannot read account balances, but I can transfer you to a housing specialist who can.

how muchmy rent isrent amountbalanceowe

Rent amount · edited 9/6/2026

Edit

What are your office hours?

Shipped

Our main office is open Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., and closed on weekends and federal holidays.

hoursopenclosedwhat timewhen are you open

Office hours · edited 9/6/2026

Edit

What is my place on the waitlist?

Shipped

Waitlist position changes daily and we cannot give an exact spot, but we can confirm whether your application is still active. The public housing waitlist is currently open; the Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher waitlist is closed and there is no announced reopening date.

waitlistwait listlistapplicationhow long

Waiting list · edited 9/6/2026

Edit

What is the status of my work order?

Shipped

I can look up the status of an open work order if you have the work order number. If you do not have the number, I will transfer you to maintenance dispatch. Please note: emergencies like no heat, no water, gas leaks, or flooding should always be reported by pressing zero now.

work orderrepairmaintenancefixbrokenleakappliance

Work order status · edited 9/6/2026

Edit

When is my recertification?

Shipped

Your recertification happens once a year on the anniversary of your move-in date. We mail you a packet about 90 days before, and you can also complete it online through Rent Cafe. If you need your specific date, I can transfer you to your housing specialist.

recertrecertificationannual reviewanniversaryyearly paperwork

Recertification · edited 9/6/2026

Edit

Where is the CMHA main office?

Shipped

Our main office is at 1627 Western Avenue in Cincinnati, Ohio. Visitor parking is available on the south side of the building.

whereaddresslocationmain officefind you

Office location · edited 9/6/2026

Edit

What the AI can answer about an account

Only after the caller verifies. Every answer is traceable in the call transcript.

AskSourceProgram
Rent this month
get_rent_and_balance
The verified caller's monthly rent portion and current balance owed, with the as-of date of the records. Always tell the caller the as-of date when quoting money.
Both
Do I owe / am I behind
get_rent_and_balance
The verified caller's monthly rent portion and current balance owed, with the as-of date of the records. Always tell the caller the as-of date when quoting money.
Both
Did you get my payment
get_payments
Date and amount of the verified caller's most recent payment received.
Both
How / where to pay
faq
Answered from the knowledge base above.
Both
Work order status
get_work_orders
Open, scheduled, and recently completed maintenance work orders on the verified caller's unit, including scheduled visit date and time window.
Public housing
When is maintenance coming
get_work_orders
Open, scheduled, and recently completed maintenance work orders on the verified caller's unit, including scheduled visit date and time window.
Public housing
Inspection date / result
get_inspections
Scheduled and completed inspections for the verified caller's unit (annual, move-in, or HQS), with results.
Both
RTA packet stage
get_rta_status
Status of the verified caller's Request for Tenancy Approval (RTA) packet: current stage, the date it reached that stage, and the landlord. Housing Choice Voucher participants only.
HCV
Waitlist position
get_waitlist_status
The verified caller's waiting-list status and approximate position band. Applicants only; CMHA does not give exact positions.
HCV applicants
Recert received / due
get_recert_status
Status of the verified caller's annual recertification: whether the packet was sent, received, completed, or is overdue, and the due date.
Both
Who is my specialist
get_specialist
Name, phone, and extension of the verified caller's housing specialist or property manager.
Both
I want to move / lease end
get_lease
The verified caller's move-in date and lease end date, used when they ask about moving or transferring.
Both
Did you receive my documents
get_documents
Documents CMHA has received from the verified caller, with the date each was received.
Both
Hours / holidays / location
faq
Answered from the knowledge base above.
Both
Leave a message / callback
log_note
Leave a note on the verified caller's account for their housing specialist: a callback request, a message, or an information update. Read the note back before saving. Routes to the caller's department automatically.
Both