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Emergency
Programs
EMERGENCY SHELTER GRANT PROGRAM
(ESGP)
ESGP includes Rent, Utilities and
Emergency Lodging. It can be utilized in the following ways...
Rental - Rent makes up a little
over 50% of the fund. It can be used to secure stable housing or prevent
eviction. ESGP cannot cover deposits. It is subject to a maximum payment
of $325, however in order to make our dollars go as far as possible
we like to see at least 25% co-payment from our applicants.
ESGP requires social security numbers
for everyone in the household and proof of income. The emergency (one
time only) nature of this program may make it inappropriate for applicants
without sufficient means to independently meet their rental obligations
the following month. Persons in need of assistance beyond what this
program can provide are encouraged to check out our Self Sufficiency
Programs
ESGP Eviction Prevention
Requires and Eviction
Notice. While many landlords are firm citizens of the information
age, many are still mom and pop operations. When we say an
eviction notice, we mean a legal form, spelling out the terms
of eviction. Sorry, we cannot accept a handwritten note on
a sheet of notebook paper saying "pay up or get out."
If you have any questions, our caseworker(s) can direct your
landlord to the local rental association or a merchant that
offers legal forms.
Stable Housing Acquisition
Requires a rental agreement
between the applicant and a landlord - once again, must be on
legal rental forms. This program DOES NOT cover deposits.
Utility Assistance - This fund
makes up roughly 35% of the ESGP budget. It can cover electricity, natural
gas, oil, propane, etc. This program is subject to a maximum payment
of $125 and it will not cover deposits or connection fees. As a matter
of policy, we like to see a co-pay from the applicant. This program
requires a disconnect notice, proof of income and social security numbers
for everyone in the household.
Emergency Lodging Assistance -
This part of ESGP makes up the remaining 15% of the funding. To qualify
a family or an individual must be homeless, involuntarily displaced
or for some other temporary reason without shelter. We require proof
of income (or a written statement of zero income if none exists) and
social security numbers for all persons staying in the motel room we
provide.
EMERGENCY HOUSING ACCOUNT (EHA)
The Emergency Housing Account performs
the same functions as the Emergency Shelter Grant Program. The only
difference is that the funding does not come with predefined spending
objectives. We can spend any percentage on any eligible expense.
STATE HOMELESS ASSISTANCE PROGRAM
(SHAP)
SHAP is a homeless to shelter program.
It only assists in obtaining permanent housing or temporary shelter.
IT CANNOT BE USED TO PREVENT EVICTION. SHAP has the same conditions
as the other programs with the exception of the eviction notice. Instead,
it requires a formal rental agreement between an applicant and a landlord.
Self Sufficiency
Programs
At Community Connection, we take
our roll as a self sufficiency catalyst very seriously. Our best programs
typically revolve around empowering applicants to improve their own lives
over time.
TENANT BASED ASSISTANCE (TBA)
TBA requires a significant commitment
from the applicant (it IS NOT an emergency program). To
qualify, a household will need to fit in to one (or more) program priorities.
The more priorities a family hits, the higher they prioritize. The
landlord of the selected TBA dwelling will need to fill out a contract
and the unit will need to pass a Housing Quality Standard Inspection
prior to funding. From the day an applicant is selected to the day we
actually start funding, 30 days OR MORE is likely to pass.
TBA can fund first and last months
rent and refundable deposits (to the degree that subsidy is granted).
Non refundable deposits such as pet fees are the responsibility of the
tenant.
TBA graduates frequently leave
the TANF case roll as a result of their participation. They are exposed
to a range of social supports that many never knew existed. Applicants
who have taken advantage of it in recent years have gone on to accept
positions as Corrections Officers, Teachers, Office Managers, Bank Tellers
and even business owners. If an applicant is still HUD eligible at the
end of the program, he or she will qualify for advanced placement on
the waiting list.
HOUSING STABILIZATION
Housing Stabilization Program (HSP)
takes no waiting list nor gives priority status for any class of applicants
(with the exception of victims of Domestic Violence). Eligibility for
HSP is determined by an income matrix, the situation of the applicant,
and the case manager's discretion. This
program is very flexible. We can use it to pick up utility connections,
deposits, rent / mortgage payments, or just about anything that poses
a barrier to self sufficiency.
To qualify for HSP a family must
have children and be below 125% of the Federal Poverty Level. They must
be facing eviction, homeless or residing in dangerous or substandard
housing. Above all, they must be motivated to change their lives for
the better.
CONTINUUM OF CARE
Continuum of Care is the longest
term program we have (and it should be). This program addresses families
and individuals who are in the greatest need. Continuum of Care assistance
can be utilized for:
- Rental Assistance (including
refundable deposits)
- Transportation
- Child Care
and is intended to mesh with other
forms of assistance. This program is exclusively for homeless people
(absence of shelter or currently residing in a temporary shelter). To
qualify, a household must have children, or the primary applicant must
be 50 years or older. This program can subsidize a household for up
to 24 months. During this time the household must be moving forward
with the case plan.
Annual spots on this program are
limited (less than five per county). Due the the transitional nature
of households in homelessness situations, no waiting list for this program
is offered.
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