Fresh Start. Specific Help. New Hope.

General Description:

Resources are targeted and prioritized to serve the households that are most in need of this temporary assistance and are most likely to achieve stable housing;

HPRP funding is not intended to provide long-term support for program participants;

No program participant may receive more than 18 months of assistance under HPRP; reevaluated every three months;

HPRP is not a mortgage assistance program; rental/utility only; no HUD

Increased the reporting requirements on the agencies;

Added additional monitoring responsibilities (monthly/quarterly reporting):

No other funding can be available; No duplication of ARRA services.

Requirements for all program participants:

a.       Must have initial consultation with a case manager or other authorized representative who can determine the appropriate type of assistance to meet their needs;

b.      Income Eligibility 50% of Median Income (county specific – see attachment);

c.       The household must be either homeless or at risk of losing its housing and meet both of the following circumstances: no appropriate subsequent housing options have been identified; and the household lacks the financial resources and support networks needed to obtain immediate housing or remain in its existing housing.

Proof of Citizenship:

utility bill, rental receipt; letter of (DHS, Housing Agency)

Participants willingness to make regular contact with case worker/case manager (home visits, phone contact, office visits, etc);

Willingness to actively engage in step-by-step process to develop goals in order to sustain housing;

a.       Each participant will meet face-to-face with a case manager or authorized representative at least once every month for three months;

b.      Develop a needs assessment, goals and objectives.

For rental assistance: a legal notice “order to vacate” must be served by police, otherwise, can work to find other housing.  All housing must past HUD housing inspection.  One month’s rent cannot exceed fair market value.

For utility assistance: must have a disconnect/final notice;

HMIS requirement

HPRP logos must be on everything

Homeless Prevention:Individuals at risk of becoming homeless must meet at least two of the following characteristics in order to qualify for HPRP funds:

Eviction within 2 weeks from a private dwelling (including housing provided by family or friend);

Discharge within 2 weeks from an institution in which the person has been a resident for more than 180 days (including prisons, mental health institutions, hospitals);

Residency in housing that has been condemned by housing officials and is no long meant for human habitation;

Sudden and significant loss of income;

Sudden and significant increase in utility cost;

Mental health and substance abuse issues;

Physical disabilities and other chronic health issues, including HIV/AIDS;

Severe housing cost burden (greater than 50 percent of income for housing costs);

Homeless in last 12 months;

Young head of household (under 25 with children or pregnant);

Current or past involvement with child welfare, including foster care;

Pending foreclosure of rental housing;

Extremely low income (less than 30 percent of Area Median Income);

High overcrowding (the number of person exceed health and0or safety standards for the housing unit size);

Past institution care (prison, treatment facility, hospital);

Recent traumatic life event, such as death of a spouse or primary care provider, or recent health crisis that prevented the household from meeting its financial responsibilities;

Credit problems that preclude obtaining of housing; or

Significant amount of medical debt.

Rapid Re-Housing Assistance: available for persons who are homeless according to HUD’s definition. 

Sleeping in an emergency shelter;

Sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, abandoned buildings, streets/sidewalks; 

Staying in a hospital or other institution for up to 180 days but was sleeping in an emergency shelter or other place not meant for human habitation (cars, parks, streets, etc.) immediately prior to entry into the hospital or institution;

Graduating from, or timing out of a transitional housing program; and

Victims of domestic violence