Basic Needs: Housing/Shelter

Results: 18

• Community Shelters (1)
  BH-1800.8500-150

  Community Shelters

  BH-1800.8500-150
  
  Programs, usually sponsored by community organizations or coalitions, that provide temporary shelter for homeless people, generally in dormitory-style facilities with very little privacy. Most community shelters offer support services which may include counseling, advocacy, referrals and help with future plans; and enforce house rules including curfews and mandatory household chores. Participation in religious activities is either optional or not a part of the program. There may be differences in intake, length of stay and amenities in family oriented facilities and those that target other specific populations.
• Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) (1)
  BH-3800.1920

  Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP)

  BH-3800.1920
  
  A rental assistance program that has made grants available to assist households that are unable to pay their rent or utilities, a situation many have faced but which has been exacerbated by the COVID-19 epidemic. To meet this need, the Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP) working with the U.S. Department of the Treasury, has made funding available to assist households that qualify. Two separate grant programs have been established: ERA1 provides funds under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2021 and ERA2 which provides funds under the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The funds are provided directly to states, U.S. territories, local governments, and (in the case of ERA1) Indian tribes or Tribally Designated Housing Entities, as applicable, as well as the Department of Hawaiian Home Lands. Grantees use the funds to provide assistance to eligible households through existing or newly created rental assistance services.
• Home Rehabilitation Services (2)
  BH-3000.3550-390

  Home Rehabilitation Services

  BH-3000.3550-390
  
  Programs that provide assistance in the form of labor and supplies for people who need to make major repairs to their homes or upgrade/replace entire systems to eliminate health and safety hazards (such as gas leaks, outdated or hazardous electrical wiring and plumbing) or to improve their security e.g., by installing fences or fixing/replacing broken doors or windows. Typical services include major roofing repair and/or replacement; electrical and plumbing upgrades or repairs; septic system improvements; heating and air conditioning system repairs; flooring, tile or wall repairs; and interior and exterior painting that is part of the home rehabilitation process. Most programs do not handle minor repairs. Age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements may apply.
• Home Rental Listings (1)
  BH-3900.3050

  Home Rental Listings

  BH-3900.3050
  
  Programs that maintain lists of available rental housing for review by people who are in search of housing. Included is information that is available online, in print or in other formats.
• Homeless Motel Vouchers (1)
  BH-1800.5000

  Homeless Motel Vouchers

  BH-1800.5000
  
  Programs that provide homeless people with a temporary place to stay (usually one to three nights), generally utilizing a hotel or motel with which the referring agency has a prior agreement, but in some cases, temporary lodging selected by the individual. Also included are programs that provide vouchers for use in one or more of the community's homeless shelters.
• Homelessness Prevention Programs (1)
  BH-0500.3140

  Homelessness Prevention Programs

  BH-0500.3140
  
  Programs that provide financial assistance and supportive services that stabilize households in their current housing or help them to move into new housing without first entering the shelter system or experiencing homelessness. Services may include financial assistance (short or medium-term rental assistance, security or utility deposits, utility payments, moving cost assistance), housing relocation and stabilization services, legal assistance (generally mediation), credit counseling and case management. The goal is to help households resolve their crisis, secure short-term financial or rental assistance as needed, and access ongoing sources of support in the community in order to remain housed. If the individual or family is unable to stay in their existing housing, the prevention program helps the household to find an alternative housing arrangement that is safe, reasonably affordable and adequate.
• Housing Authorities (2)
  BH-8300.3000

  Housing Authorities

  BH-8300.3000
  
  City, county, or state housing offices that provide information about eligibility for and vacancies in the subsidized housing properties that are under their jurisdiction. Housing authorities accept Section 8 applications, provide Section 8 vouchers, make approved Section 8 rental payments and administer public housing communities while in certain rural areas, the housing finance agency may play this role.
• Housing Related Coordinated Entry (1)
  BH-0500.3200

  Housing Related Coordinated Entry

  BH-0500.3200
  
  Organizations that are part of a community-wide, coordinated effort to identify, assess and find appropriate options for homeless individuals and families seeking housing or related services, and/or for those at imminent risk of becoming homeless. The number of physical access points in the community for intake and assessment may vary (no wrong door), but all sites use the same assessment and targeting tools; make referrals using the same criteria and have access to the same set of resources including homelessness prevention (e.g., rent assistance), shelters, shelter diversion programs, service centers, transitional housing programs, permanent housing programs and outreach programs. Most coordinated entry programs also include real-time knowledge about program inventory and capacity, referral and waiting list management, and enrollment/admission decision criteria as process components.
• Housing Search Assistance (2)
  BH-3900.3100

  Housing Search Assistance

  BH-3900.3100
  
  Programs that assign a staff member to assist people who are looking for housing to survey the available residences and to choose and obtain the most suitable option.
• Human Trafficking Shelters (1)
  BH-1800.1500-308

  Human Trafficking Shelters

  BH-1800.1500-308
  
  Programs that provide a safe, secure shelter environment for individuals who have been abducted, sold, recruited under fraud or pretense or otherwise brought under the control of another person, and forced, by means of threats, intimidation, violence or other forms of coercion, into unpaid or underpaid labor, servitude, prostitution or forced marriage, either domestically within their own country or internationally.
• Low Income/Subsidized Private Rental Housing (7)
  BH-7000.4600-450

  Low Income/Subsidized Private Rental Housing

  BH-7000.4600-450
  
  Privately owned rental housing that is made available to low-income individuals and families at reduced rates based on a contract between HUD or the state housing authority and the property owner. Subsidies are paid directly to the owner of the property who then rents units to income-eligible individuals and families. Also included are low-cost or below market rate housing that is operated or sponsored by religious or charitable organizations for the benefit of low-income individuals and families; and rental housing targeted to lower income households that has been purchased, rehabilitated or constructed by developers who are receiving a federal income tax credit under the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program or are participants in other similar affordable housing incentive programs. Some privately owned rental units that were developed or improved with public funds are also required to rent a designated number of units at reduced prices to people who meet low-income eligibility requirements until the federal or state loans are paid. Some complexes or housing units may be reserved for low-income older adults, people with disabilities and/or other special populations. Included are income-based rental housing where tenants pay rent that is geared to their income; as well as fixed below market rate rental housing where rent is lower than what people would normally pay renting the unit but is based on a specified percentage of the median income for the area rather than on a percentage of an individual's actual income, and tenants may have to be within a specified income range to live there. Rental amounts and the level of "affordability" may vary considerably among programs.
• Rapid Re-Housing Programs (1)
  BH-0500.7000

  Rapid Re-Housing Programs

  BH-0500.7000
  
  Programs that help individuals and families experiencing episodic or transitional (as opposed to chronic) homelessness transition more quickly out of the shelter system or avoid it altogether, and move into permanent housing ideally within 30 days of becoming homeless. Rapid re-housing assistance is generally offered without preconditions (such as employment, income, absence of criminal record, or sobriety) and the resources and services provided are typically tailored to the unique needs of each household. Services include housing search and selection support, assistance in negotiating the terms of a lease, short term rent subsidies and move-in assistance, individualized case management after the individual/family has moved into the home, ongoing crisis prevention and crisis management services as needed, facilitated access to community resources (e.g., benefits, employment) and other supportive services.
• Rent Payment Assistance (7)
  BH-3800.7000

  Rent Payment Assistance

  BH-3800.7000
  
  Programs that make rental payments for people who are at risk of eviction without assistance. Also included are rent supplement programs that provide assistance with ongoing monthly rental costs. Rent payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.
• Rental Deposit Assistance (4)
  BH-3800.7250

  Rental Deposit Assistance

  BH-3800.7250
  
  Programs that provide cash grants or loans for people who are in the process of acquiring rental housing and who can handle the monthly rental payments, but who do not have the assets to pay the first month's rent, in some cases, the last month's rent, and any security deposits required to move in.
• Safe Havens for Abandoned Newborns (1)
  LJ-5000.8000

  Safe Havens for Abandoned Newborns

  LJ-5000.8000
  
  Hospitals, health centers, police stations, fire houses and other facilities that are willing to accept, without questions, newborn babies delivered by mothers who are unwilling or unable to care for an infant and are thereby at risk for abandonment. Police reports are generally not filed and no attempt is made to contact the mother's family, even in situations where her identity is known. Infant safe haven statutes vary by jurisdiction with regard to who may leave a baby at a safe haven, the age of the baby at the time of relinquishment, the facilities that can be designated as safe havens, the responsibilities of safe haven providers, anonymity protection for parents and the consequences of relinquishment.
• Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (1)
  BH-7000.4600-700

  Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers

  BH-7000.4600-700
  
  A federally-supported, tenant-based housing program administered by local housing authorities that provides assistance in the form of vouchers that enable income-eligible families to find and lease approved privately owned housing where the landlord has agreed to enter into a contract with the housing authority and/or finance agency. Tenant-based assistance provides rental subsidies that move with a household into any qualifying housing within a certain area. The housing can be (and often is) private housing that may not have been built with the intention of accepting solely low-income tenants, but if the quality and cost of the unit fall within a specified range, it may qualify. Eligible households pay approximately 30% to 40% of their adjusted gross income for rent and the housing authority subsidizes the balance.
• Street Outreach Programs (2)
  PH-8000

  Street Outreach Programs

  PH-8000
  
  Programs that are staffed by outreach workers who spend time with people who live on the street, build relationships with them, identify and address their immediate needs (e.g., crisis intervention, food, clean clothing, hygiene kits, blankets, someone to listen) and provide information about and linkage to longer-term forms of support such as shelter, counseling, drug and alcohol detoxification and rehabilitation, care/case management and, where applicable, family reunification services. Street outreach programs may be staffed by volunteers or peers who were formerly homeless; and may target special populations such as homeless youth at risk for sexual abuse or exploitation, veterans, or people with specific medical or mental health conditions, or be available to the larger homeless population.
• Youth Shelters (1)
  BH-1800.1500-960

  Youth Shelters

  BH-1800.1500-960
  
  Programs that provide shelter and a safe place to sleep as well as access to food, medical care and other types of assistance for children and/or youth who have run away from or been pushed out of their homes, or who are acting out and at risk for abuse pending return to their own families or a suitable alternative placement. The most common causes for youth becoming homeless, in addition to being kicked out of their homes or running away, are being abandoned or neglected, experiencing financial hardship, aging out of foster care, conflicts related to their sexual orientation, having a substance use disorder or experiencing the death of a family member or guardian. Such facilities usually provide in-house individual, group and family counseling and the full range of other secondary services related to runaways and other homeless youth including referral to appropriate resources. Homeless youth are different than homeless adults because they often have not learned the essential life skills needed to live on their own such as how to drive or ride a bus, get a job or pay bills. Homeless youth are also more likely than other youth their age to experience mental illness, suffer poor health, drop out of school, and become involved with or victims of criminal activity, including being exploited, abused or even killed.