Rapid Re-Housing Assistance
Eligibility “Homeless”
Rapid Re-housing
is available for persons who are homeless according to HUD’s definition, Categories
1 & 4. The short-term and
medium-term assistance is intended for households who have barriers to housing,
but who are likely to sustain housing after the subsidy ends. The purpose of the HCRP rapid re-housing
funds is to assist eligible program participants to quickly obtain and sustain
stable housing.
Rapid
Re- Housing
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Goal:
·
To
transition people out of homelessness quickly.
·
To
directly decrease overall number of homeless persons in shelters and on
streets.
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No
income requirement
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No
appropriate subsequent housing options have been identified.
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Participant
must meet Category 1 or 4
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Following Housing First Practices organizations will: · Screen all people who are literally homeless and ensure quick linkage to rapid re-housing assistance, based on participant needs, preferences, and resource availability
· Screens people applying for assistance to identify people who will remain literally homeless “but for” rapid re-housing assistance (ie. Have no other resources or assistance available to exit homelessness)
· Prioritizes people applying for rapid re-housing assistance who have more severe service needs and barriers to existing homelessness
· Provide access to rapid re-housing assistance without preconditions, such as sobriety or minimum income level
· Participants and staff understand that a primary goal of rapid re-housing is to end homelessness and move participants to permanent housing as quickly as possible, regardless of other personal issues or concerns
· Participant assessment focuses on barriers to obtaining and/or maintaining housing (eg. Past rental/credit/criminal history, current income, legal issues, knowledge of tenant rights and responsibilities, etc)
· Participants are assisted with creating and (for ongoing assistance) updating individualized Housing Plans, designed to re-house and stabilize participants as quickly as possible
· Participants are provided assistance to locate and obtain permanent housing, financial assistance for move-in and stabilization costs and housing case management in order to achieve their Housing Plan goals. This includes assistance to address tenancy problems that may jeopardize housing. Assistance is provided without additional preconditions, such as employment or sobriety; and with the understanding that housing may cost greater than 30% of participant income and be precarious
· Staff helping participants are aware of and know how to access a wide array of housing options (public/private, subsidized/unsubsidized, all local permanent supportive housing, etc) to help participants achieve their Housing Plan goals
· Staff are aware of and know how to access other community resources (eg. Legal services, subsidized childcare)that can help participants achieve their housing placement and stabilization goals | Individuals
and families who meet one of the following criteria for defining Homeless,
along with the above-mentioned minimum eligibility requirements are eligible
under the rapid re-housing portion of HCRP:
Category 1
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Literally
Homeless
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An
individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime
residence, meaning:
i.
Living
at place not meant for Human Habitation (car, park, bus, airport);
ii.
Living
in a shelter, transitional housing and hotels or motels paid for by
charitable or government programs;
or
iii.
Individual
exiting institution, that resided there 90 days or less and lived in a
shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately before entering
that institution.
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Category 4
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Fleeing/Attempting
to Flee Domestic Violence DV
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Any
individual or family who:
·
Is
fleeing or is attempting to flee
domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or other danger
or life-threatening conditions that have either taken place within the
primary nighttime residence or has made them afraid to return to that
residence or has made them afraid to return to that residence;
·
Has
no other residence; and
·
Lacks
the resources or support networks (e.g., family, friends, and faith-based or
other social networks) to obtain other permanent housing.
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