HOMELESS ASSISTANCE (HA) PROGRAM. Fact Sheet

Transcription

1 HOMELESS ASSISTANCE (HA) PROGRAM Fact Sheet The goal of HA is to keep families together. HA provides temporary and permanent housing payments, reducing the risk of families separating due to homelessness and children going into foster care. Definition of Homeless A family is considered homeless when it physically lacks a fixed and regular night time residence, shares a residence with other family or friends on a temporary basis, or resides in a temporary shelter, commercial establishment, or transitional housing or has been issued a notice to pay rent or quit. Temporary Homeless Assistance To be eligible for Temporary HA, a family must: Be apparently eligible for CalWORKs, meet the definition of homelessness, and have less than $ in cash; Obtain temporary shelter from a commercial establishment (e.g., hotel or motel) or from a person who has a history of renting properties; and Be seeking permanent housing, and provide verification of the search. Once the eligibility requirements are met, a family: Is eligible for up to 16 consecutive days of temporary shelter, and may receive $65 per night and up to $125, depending on the family size, in increments not to exceed seven days; and Must be issued a Temporary HA on the same day as the request. Permanent Homeless Assistance To be eligible for Permanent HA: The family must be approved for CalWORKs, meet the definition of homelessness, and have less than $100.00; and The family s share of the rent does not exceed 80% of the Total Monthly Household Income (TMHI). Once the eligibility requirements are met: The family may receive payments for move-in costs, such as, last month s rent, key deposits, cleaning fees, etc. However, the payment cannot exceed two times the total rent (rent amount before subsidies). Additional funds can be issued for utility deposits as needed; and A participant receiving Permanent HA must provide verification of the cost of permanent housing within 30 days. Permanent Homeless Arrearage Payment Permanent Homeless Assistance is available to pay up to two months of rent arrearages to prevent eviction. Each month of the rent arrearage payment shall not exceed 80% of the Total Monthly Household Income (TMHI). Once-in-a-Lifetime Payments The HA payments are issued once-in-a-lifetime unless the family qualifies for, and verifies one of the following exceptions: Whenever a state or federally declared natural disaster is the direct and primary cause of homelessness; or When the following situations occur (verification required): Domestic violence caused by a spouse, partner or roommate; The former residence becomes uninhabitable due to sudden and unusual circumstances beyond the families control, to include moves resulting from being a victim of a violent crime; or A medically verified physical or mental illness, excluding drug addiction or psychological stress. Exception HA payments are limited to one payment within 12 months. 02/07

2 County of Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services THE MOVING ASSISTANCE (MA) PROGRAM CalWORKs families who are experiencing a financial hardship, including homelessness or at risk of homeless (already received eviction notice or 3-day notice to pay or quit) may receive funds to assist the family to secure permanent housing. If the family is homeless, the family must have exhausted all other means of assistance including Homeless Assistance (if eligible) to qualify for MA. Families who are not homeless or at risk of homelessness must demonstrate they are experiencing a financial hardship that could result in homelessness if assistance is not provided. Proof of the financial hardship is required. Funds cannot be used to reimburse expenses already paid by the participant. To be eligible for MA, the family must: Be approved for CalWORKs or timed-out from CalWORKs; Be homeless or at risk of homelessness or experiencing a financial hardship. Once the eligibility requirements are met, a family: May receive up to $2,000 as a once-in-a-lifetime payment to pay for move-in costs (e.g., security deposit, last month s rent, cleaning fees, key deposits, etc.), utility turn-on fees, moving costs (e.g., truck rental), and the purchase of a stove and/or refrigerator if the new place does not have one. For timed-out families only, and included in the $2,000 limit, the MA program will also pay for up to the amount of the adult portion of the reduced grant for two months. Example: Family s rent is $550, and grant of $704 is reduced by $136 (timed-out adult portion) to $568. Family can receive up to $272 MA ($136 x 2 months); and The family s share of the rent cannot exceed 80% of the total monthly household income (TMHI). NOTE: Income to be counted toward the TMHI includes gross earned and unearned income, including the CalWORKs computed grant, but does not include Food Stamps, CalWORKs Special Needs or Supplemental Security Income (SSI) and State Supplementary Payment (SSP). Example: The THMI for a family of two is $2, ($1,526 earned income and $621 CalWORKs computed grant). Eighty percent of $2, is $1, The family s share of the rent cannot exceed $1, The MA program can be used in conjunction with the Homeless Assistance program in certain situations (e.g., the participant needs to purchase a stove and/or refrigerator, the participant needs to rent a truck to move into the new residence). The MA payment does not include the first month s rent. Families must apply in person at a CalWORKs district office. Rev To Enrich Lives Through Effective And Caring Service

3 County of Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services Rental Assistance (RA) Program (Short Term Rental Subsidy) Currently, there is no rental subsidy in the State's CalWORKs program. With the County's high rents, homeless families often need rental assistance to remain housed once they have secured permanent housing. To assist homeless families secure and retain permanent housing, DPSS provides a shortterm rental subsidy program. Under the program, families receiving Permanent Homeless Assistance or Moving Assistance (i.e., CalWORKs families who have just found permanent housing) may qualify for a rental subsidy of up to $300 per family (based on family size) for four months. These funds will be issued through two party checks to the participant and landlord. In addition, money management services will be offered to assist families in sustaining their housing and avoiding future homelessness. Eligibility to RA is a two step determination process: Step 1 Eligible Population: Applicant/participant must: o Be CalWORKs eligible; o Be employed or enrolled in GAIN/RITE, if currently receiving CalWORKs, or be employed or enrolled in Post Time Limited Services, if already exhausted the CalWORKs 60 Month Time Limit; o Be eligible to receive Permanent Homeless Assistance and/or Moving Assistance; and o Agree to receive RA payments. Step 2 Housing Situation: If all the above are met, the applicant/participant must have either: o Signed a rental agreement to secure non subsidized permanent housing within the past 30 days of the request for RA; or o Found non subsidized permanent housing and has requested permanent housing/moving Assistance. Effective , RA is available to families who find permanent housing with the assistance of a Housing Locator. For those families who find housing with the assistance of the Housing Locator, the amount of the rental subsidy is added to the Total Monthly Household Income (TMHI). To Enrich Lives Through Effective And Caring Service

4 County of Los Angeles Department of Public Social Services THE EMERGENCY ASSISTANCE TO PREVENT EVICTION (EAPE) PROGRAM Under the EAPE program, families who are at risk of losing their housing because of non-payment of rent due to a financial hardship (not for any other lease/contract violation) may receive funds to pay rent and/or utilities for up to two months in arrears to assist the family in maintaining permanent housing. To be eligible for EAPE, the family must: Be CalWORKs eligible, receiving CalWORKs or Timed-out from CalWORKs; Demonstrate that they are experiencing a financial hardship that could result in homelessness if assistance is not given. Provide proof of the financial hardship. Once the eligibility requirements are met, a family: May receive up to $2,000 to pay rent and/or utilities for up to two months in arrears to assist the family in maintaining permanent housing; and Must agree to pay part of the past due rent and/or utilities. Funds under the EAPE program cannot be used to pay current month s rent and/or utilities unless the family has received a notice to pay rent or quit and meets a financial hardship. Families must apply in person at a CalWORKs district office. Rev To Enrich Lives Through Effective And Caring Service

5 Do you work too far from your home? Does it take too long to get to your child care provider and then to work? Do you have a job offer that you cannot accept because you live too far? If you answered yes to any of the above questions, you may be eligible to THE HOUSING RELOCATION PROGRAM FACT SHEET What is the Housing Relocation Program? The Housing Relocation Program (HRP) is a once in a lifetime service to eligible CalWORKs families who need to move so that they can accept a job offer of 20 or more hours per week or keep a job they already have. Who can receive Housing Relocation Program services? You may receive services if you are a CalWORKs participant who is working 20 or more hours per week or who has an offer of employment of 20 or more hours per week, and you are in compliance with GAIN/RITE program requirements and one of the following apply to you: You travel one hour or more each way to get to or from work, or to drop off or pickup your child(ren) at childcare. Buses are not running when your shift starts or ends. If you are experiencing one of these problems and moving closer to work/childcare would make it easier for you to keep your job or accept a job offer, you may be suitable for the HRP. How much is the Housing Relocation Program subsidy? You may receive a once-in-a-lifetime subsidy of up to $1500 to pay for moving expenses such as truck rental, security deposits (including last months rent if required to move in), and public utility deposits/costs. You may also receive up to an additional $405 to purchase a stove and/or refrigerator if you do not have one and it will not be provided at your new residence. What do I need to provide to apply for the Housing Relocation Program? To apply for the HRP, you must complete a HRP Application and provide the following: Verification that you have a job or job offer of 20 hours or more per week that requires you to move in order to start or continue to work. Verification that you found a place to live and that the rent is within 60% of your income. Countable income includes earned and non-earned income, including the CalWORKs grant. If you need help determining how much this is, ask you Eligibility Worker (EW). How do I apply for the Housing Relocation Program or what if I have questions? You may ask your EW if you have questions or you need a PA 4490, HRP Application. PA 448 (8/00)

6 Bryce Yokomizo, Director HOMELESS CASE MANAGEMENT FOR CalWORKs FAMILIES HOMELESS CASE MANAGER GUIDELINES Homeless Case Management: Homeless Case Management is a voluntary program for families who are homeless or at-risk of homelessness. Definition: Homeless Case Management is a method of assessing the needs of the CalWORKs homeless and at-risk family and arranging, coordinating, monitoring, evaluating, and advocating for a package of multiple services to meet the specific family s complex needs. It requires establishing a trusting and caring relationship with the homeless and at-risk family which may include linking the family with systems that provide the family with needed services, resources, and opportunities. Services will include: a) crisis intervention; b) short-term stabilization; c) needs assessment; d) assistance with application and receipt of Specialized Supportive Services; and e) an individualized housing plan. Objective: To determine the eligibility and appropriate services for the CalWORKs homeless and at-risk family and facilitate access to services. Goals: The primary goal of the HCM is to provide quality services in the most efficient and effective manner to CalWORKs homeless and at-risk families with multiple complex needs to help the family fulfill its potential. The Homeless Case Management method rests on a foundation of professional training, values, knowledge, theory, and skills used in the service of attaining goals that are established in partnership with the homeless and at-risk family. Such goals include: Serving as a link between the EW and the GAIN Services Worker (GSW) to ensure the family is receiving all necessary benefits and services and meeting all eligibility and GAIN program requirements. Assisting families who are homeless or at-risk of being homeless to obtain and retain stable housing. Enhancing developmental, problem-solving, and coping capacities of the homeless and at-risk family; Conducting assertive, community-based outreach; Nurturing, trusting, and caring relationships with the homeless and at-risk families; Respecting client autonomy; Prioritizing family self-determined needs; and Linking and providing the families with active assistance to obtain needed resources. Duties and Responsibilities of the Homeless Case Manager (HCM) The duties and responsibilities of the HCM consist of a three-part approach. Additionally, the HCM will perform (when feasible and as time permits) other duties and responsibilities. Primary Duties and Responsibilities of the HCM Part I Intake and Assessment/Crisis Intervention and Stabilization Conducts and interview with the applicant/participant to assess the family s needs (includes completing the DPSS Homeless Questionnaire on PHASE). Acts as an advocate between the homeless family and the case-carrying Eligibility Worker and GAIN Services Worker to ensure family receives all entitled benefits to stabilize the family into temporary shelter (includes a review of the case on LEADER and GEARS to

7 resolve any CalWORKs/GAIN issues, for example, CalWORKs penalties or GAIN sanctions). Reviews Specialized Supportive Services (Domestic Violence, Mental Health, and/or Substance Abuse) needs with the family. Makes referrals as appropriate. Works with teen parents who are homeless to resolve any issues regarding participation/compliance with the Cal-Learn program. Assists the family in locating temporary shelter (Emergency Shelter Program with LAHSA) or referrals to affordable motes/hotels. Assists the family with transportation (tokens/daily passes/cash) to travel to temporary shelter or motel/hotel. Part II Housing Resources During the second or subsequent interviews, the HCM reviews the living situation of the applicant/participant. If the family is in an stable temporary living situation, the HCM will: Work with the family in partnership to develop an individualized housing plan toward moving the family into permanent housing (includes identifying barriers, setting goals to address the barriers, making appropriate referrals to services which will meet the complex needs of the family, monitoring the delivery of services, referral to the Housing Locator, continued case management while the family is in the process of finding permanent housing). Advocate for the family between the Eligibility Worker and the GAIN Services Worker to ensure the case is in order for the family to receive all entitled permanent housing/moving assistance benefits to secure permanent housing (includes referral to rental subsidy). For families on Skid Row, refer to Beyond Shelter to assist the family in locating permanent housing (work closely with the case managers from Beyond Shelter to meet the needs of the family). Work closely with the Housing Locator. Part III Homeless Case Management The HCM provides up to six months of case management services to the family. These services continue even after the family secures permanent housing. Additional Duties of the HCM Part IV Additional duties and responsibilities (when feasible and as time permits) Identify, assess, and assist homeless families resolve immunization penalties; and Identify, assess, and assist homeless families resolve school attendance penalties. Identify, assess, and assist homeless families resolve GAIN sanctions and expedited reengagement of the parent/s into welfare-to-work activities. NOTE: Parts II and III will work concurrently. Part IV will also work concurrently with Part II and III. July 20, 2006