Fenty announces re-housing and homelessness program
Issue date: 12/6/09 Section: Neighborhood
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"Through the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing program, the District is both preventing and responding to urgent housing needs in the District," said Mayor Fenty. "We look forward to supporting District residents' efforts to secure safe and comfortable homes."
In addition, the District hosted a training session today at the Department of Housing and Community Development, 1800 Martin Luther King, Jr. Avenue SE. Community organizations that will partner with the District received detailed information about implementation of the HPRP.
Using HPRP funds, the District of Columbia Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) and Department of Human Services (DHS) will provide financial assistance, housing counseling, and legal services to District residents struggling to afford housing. Sixty percent of the $7.5 million must be spent in the next two years, and the full amount must be spent within three years. An estimated 680 to 800 District households will receive support as a result of the HPRP grant.
"HPRP provides an excellent supplement to our existing programs," said Director Edmonds. "My staff and I will take full advantage of this opportunity to ensure stable and affordable housing for families in our city."
A total of $1,040,000 has been allocated to homelessness prevention. District residents at risk of losing their homes due to financial hardship may access the $750,000 set aside for rent arrearage, $50,000 for utility assistance, and/or $240,000 towards the first month's rent and security deposit on a new rental unit. Families can receive up to a total of $6500 for assistance related to homelessness prevention, while individuals can receive up to $5000.
DHS will use $2,412,500 of the HPRP funds to provide rapid re-housing services to District residents who are experiencing a temporary barrier to housing, such as recently becoming unemployed, may benefit from $1,997, 500 allocated to rental subsidies. DHS will also offer funding for the first month of rent and security deposits for eligible residents who are unable to afford the high initial cost of securing a rental unit. Individuals and families are both eligible for up to 18 months of rental subsidy assistance. Recipients' eligibility for a rental subsidy will be reassessed every three months to determine whether the recipient continues to need financial support.
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