HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION AND RAPID RE-HOUSING PROGRAM HPRP

1. HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION AND RAPID RE-HOUSING PROGRAM (HPRP) shonda.gray@adeca.alabama.gov 334-353-0288

2. 2 PURPOSE Provide homelessness prevention assistance to households who would otherwise become homeless Provide assistance to rapidly re-house persons who are homeless as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act The Notice specifies those who may become homeless due to the economic crisis. It is important to ask the question “Would this person/family be homeless but for this assistance?”The Notice specifies those who may become homeless due to the economic crisis. It is important to ask the question “Would this person/family be homeless but for this assistance?”

3. 3 DISTRIBUTION OF FUNDS State has been allocated $13,328,942 Funds will be allocated based on the quality of proposals received No grant ceiling No match requirement Although there is no grant ceiling, the population of the service area relative to the amount requested will be considered when reviewing proposals.Although there is no grant ceiling, the population of the service area relative to the amount requested will be considered when reviewing proposals.

4. 4 ELIGIBLE APPLICANTS Cities Including entitlement cities Counties Including entitlement counties Private non-profit organizations With certification of approval from the local government

5. 5 ELIGIBLE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS Initial consultation with a case manager Household income must be at or below 50 percent of Area Median Income (www.huduser.org/DATASETS/il.html) Any person or family receiving financial assistance must meet the following 3 criteria. At least one consultation with a case manager or other authorized representative to determine the type of financial assistance needed. This income requirement is based on the income and assets at the time of application to the program.Any person or family receiving financial assistance must meet the following 3 criteria. At least one consultation with a case manager or other authorized representative to determine the type of financial assistance needed. This income requirement is based on the income and assets at the time of application to the program.

6. 6 ELIGIBLE PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS, cont. Household must be homeless or at risk of losing its housing and meet both of the following criteria There are no other appropriate housing options The household doesn’t have the financial resources and support networks to find immediate housing or remain in existing housing They’re already homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and there is no other suitable housing or they don’t have the money or connections to find another home or stay in their current home.They’re already homeless or at risk of becoming homeless and there is no other suitable housing or they don’t have the money or connections to find another home or stay in their current home.

7. 7 RISK FACTORS Eviction within 2 weeks Residency in condemned housing Sudden and significant loss of income Pending foreclosure of rental housing Extremely low income (less than 30% AMI) Severe housing cost burden (greater than 50% of income spent on housing costs) Please see the Notice for an expanded list of risk factors.Please see the Notice for an expanded list of risk factors.

8. 8 ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES Financial Assistance Housing Relocation & Stabilization Services Data Collection and Evaluation Administration

9. 9 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCEELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES Short-term rental (up to 3 months) Medium-term rental (4-18 months) Rental arrears (up to 6 months) Rental assistance must comply with HUD’s “rent reasonableness” standard (www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/affordablehousing/library/forms/rentreasonablechecklist.doc) Short- and medium – term rental assistance can be used to allow persons to stay in their existing rental units or to help them obtain and remain in rental units they select. No program participant may receive more than 18 months of assistance. Rental arrears count toward the 18 month service period. Rental arrears may be paid if it allows the participant to remain in current housing for which arrears are being paid or it allows the participant to move to another housing unit. Program participants receiving medium-term rental assistance must be evaluated every 3 months to determine their eligibility. Short- and medium – term rental assistance can be used to allow persons to stay in their existing rental units or to help them obtain and remain in rental units they select. No program participant may receive more than 18 months of assistance. Rental arrears count toward the 18 month service period. Rental arrears may be paid if it allows the participant to remain in current housing for which arrears are being paid or it allows the participant to move to another housing unit. Program participants receiving medium-term rental assistance must be evaluated every 3 months to determine their eligibility.

10. 10 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCEELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES, cont. Security deposits Utility deposits and payments Utility arrears (up to 6 months) Moving costs Storage (up to 3 months) Motel/hotel vouchers (up to 30 days) Staff costs to issue financial assistance Inspections costs for habitability standards Utility arrears are included in the 18-month service period. Motel/hotel vouchers are eligible if there are no shelter beds available and rental housing isn’t immediately available.Utility arrears are included in the 18-month service period. Motel/hotel vouchers are eligible if there are no shelter beds available and rental housing isn’t immediately available.

11. 11 FINANCIAL ASSISTANCEINELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES Duplication of payments Mortgage payments Operating costs for housing programs Assistance longer than 18 months Direct payment to program participants Payment of credit arrears (loans, credit cards, etc.) HPRP funds can’t be used to pay for services if other funding sources will provide financial assistance for the same service for the same time period. Mortgage assistance of any kind is ineligible. Operating costs are not covered under the HPRP. All payments must be made to third parties.HPRP funds can’t be used to pay for services if other funding sources will provide financial assistance for the same service for the same time period. Mortgage assistance of any kind is ineligible. Operating costs are not covered under the HPRP. All payments must be made to third parties.

12. 12 HOUSING RELOCATION & STABILIZATION SERVICES ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES Services to assist program participants with housing stability and placement Case management Outreach and engagement Housing search and placement Legal services Credit repair Case management activities may include counseling; developing, securing, and coordinating services; monitoring and evaluating program participant progress; assuring that program participants’ rights are protected; and developing an individualized housing and service plan, including a path to permanent housing stability after HPRP assistance Outreach and engagement includes services or assistance designed to publicize the availability of HPRP services to homeless persons or persons at risk of homelessness. Housing search and placement services are designed to help program participants locate, obtain, and retain suitable housing. Types of services include: tenant counseling; assisting individuals and families to understand leases; securing utilities; making moving arrangements; representative payee services concerning rent and utilities; and mediation and outreach to property owners related to locating or retaining housing. Legal services include services provided by a lawyer or persons under the supervision of a lawyer to assist program participants with legal advice and representation in administrative or court proceedings related to tenant/landlord matters or housing issues. Credit repair includes services such as helping program participants with critical skills related to household budgeting, money management, accessing a free personal credit report, and resolving personal credit issues.Case management activities may include counseling; developing, securing, and coordinating services; monitoring and evaluating program participant progress; assuring that program participants’ rights are protected; and developing an individualized housing and service plan, including a path to permanent housing stability after HPRP assistance Outreach and engagement includes services or assistance designed to publicize the availability of HPRP services to homeless persons or persons at risk of homelessness. Housing search and placement services are designed to help program participants locate, obtain, and retain suitable housing. Types of services include: tenant counseling; assisting individuals and families to understand leases; securing utilities; making moving arrangements; representative payee services concerning rent and utilities; and mediation and outreach to property owners related to locating or retaining housing. Legal services include services provided by a lawyer or persons under the supervision of a lawyer to assist program participants with legal advice and representation in administrative or court proceedings related to tenant/landlord matters or housing issues. Credit repair includes services such as helping program participants with critical skills related to household budgeting, money management, accessing a free personal credit report, and resolving personal credit issues.

13. 13 HOUSING RELOCATION & STABILIZATION SERVICES INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES Child care Employment training Education (books, fees, tuition, etc.) Transportation (gas, cabs, bus fare) Food, household items, clothing Furniture and appliances Discharge planning at institutions

14. 14 DATA COLLECTION AND EVALUATION ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) Collecting and reporting data Software and hardware costs Connectivity costs HMIS training Participation fees HUD-sponsored research and evaluation of HPRP Eligible costs for HMIS include costs associated with data collection, entry and analysis, purchasing HMIS software and user licenses, leasing or purchasing computer equipment for providers and the central server, and staffing associated with the operation of the HMIS, including training. Grantees must comply if asked to participate in HUD-sponsored research of HPRP.Eligible costs for HMIS include costs associated with data collection, entry and analysis, purchasing HMIS software and user licenses, leasing or purchasing computer equipment for providers and the central server, and staffing associated with the operation of the HMIS, including training. Grantees must comply if asked to participate in HUD-sponsored research of HPRP.

15. 15 DATA COLLECTION AND EVALUATION INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES Planning or developing alternative data system to HMIS (except where the continuum does not exist or there is no HMIS in the continuum) Replacing local or state funding (unless state or local funding is no longer available) Contracting for program evaluation

16. 16 ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS ELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES Accounting for the use of grant funds Preparing reports for submission to HUD Obtaining program audits Salaries associated with eligible administrative costs Staff training directly related to learning about HPRP

17. 17 ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES Costs of issuing financial assistance or providing housing relocation and stabilization services Costs associated with data collection and evaluation activities Costs of conducting housing inspections

18. 18 ADMINISTRATIVE COSTS INELIGIBLE ACTIVITIES, cont. Operating costs General training not directly related to HPRP Training or technical assistance from someone other than a HUD-approved national TA provider