CORONAVIRUS (COVID-19) RESOURCE CENTER Read More

Basic Needs: Housing/Shelter

    Results: 17

  • 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repairs to their homes or upgrade/replace entire systems to eliminate health and safety hazards (such as gas leaks, outdated or hazardous electrical wiring and plumbing) or to improve their security e.g., by installing fences or fixing/replacing broken doors or windows.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 (2)
    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 Diversion Programs (1)
    BH-0500.3100

    Homeless Diversion Programs

    BH-0500.3100

    Programs that help people seeking shelter identify immediate alternate housing arrangements (e.g., a shared housing arrangement, reestablished lease arrangements with a previous landlord, moving in with friends/relatives) and if necessary connect them with services (such as short term case management, conflict mediation and moving in expenses) to help them return to permanent housing. The main difference between diversion and other permanent housing-focused interventions centers on the point at which intervention occurs. Prevention targets people at imminent risk of homelessness, diversion targets people as they are applying for entry into shelter, and rapid re-housing targets people who are already homeless.
  • 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 (1)
    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 Expense Assistance (1)
    BH-3800

    Housing Expense Assistance

    BH-3800

    Programs that pay current housing bills or finance new living accommodations for people who are otherwise unable to provide for their housing needs. Housing expense assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.
  • 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 (4)
    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.
  • HUD Approved Counseling Agencies (1)
    BH-3700.3200

    HUD Approved Counseling Agencies

    BH-3700.3200

    Agencies funded by the federal Office of Housing and Urban Development to provide prepurchase and mortgage default counseling, home equity conversion (reverse mortgage) counseling and information about the HUD rent assistance program for current and prospective purchasers and tenants.
  • Low Income/Subsidized Private Rental Housing (1)
    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.
  • Mortgage Payment Assistance (1)
    BH-3800.5000

    Mortgage Payment Assistance

    BH-3800.5000

    Programs that make mortgage payments for people who are at risk of losing their homes without assistance. Mortgage payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements. Some of these programs may also provide assistance for people who have a mobile home sales contract or land contract and need help making a payment that is due. Land contracts are written legal agreements that are used to purchase real estate (e.g., vacant land), a house, an apartment building, a commercial building or other real property but are negotiated with the property owner rather than borrowing money from a bank or other lender.
  • Rent Payment Assistance (5)
    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 (1)
    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.
  • Sweat Equity Programs (1)
    BH-7000.8100-800

    Sweat Equity Programs

    BH-7000.8100-800

    Programs that make low-cost housing available to people who have very low incomes by organizing a group of volunteers to design and construct houses which are then sold at cost and at no interest to individuals who qualify by making a small down payment and investing a specified number of hours of "sweat equity" working on the project.
  • Transitional Housing/Shelter (1)
    BH-8600

    Transitional Housing/Shelter

    BH-8600

    Programs that provide extended shelter and supportive services primarily for homeless individuals and/or families with the goal of helping them live independently and transition into permanent housing. Some programs require that the individual/family be transitioning from a short-term emergency shelter. The length of stay varies considerably by program. It is generally longer than two weeks but typically 60 days or more and, in many cases, up to two years or more. The supportive services may be provided directly by the organization managing the housing or may be coordinated by them and provided by other public or private agencies. Transitional housing/shelter is generally provided in apartment style facilities with a higher degree of privacy than short-term homeless shelters; may be provided at no cost to the resident; and may be configured for specialized groups within the homeless population such as people with substance use disorders, homeless mentally ill, homeless domestic violence victims, veterans or homeless people with AIDS/HIV. In some cases, a "transition in place" option allows families to continue living in the same complex (if not the same unit) where their transitional housing unit is located when they are ready to move to permanent housing. In other cases, the permanent housing option is either public housing or private rental housing supported by a tenant-based voucher subsidy. Included are post-domestic violence shelter housing programs that make affordable rental housing (or other accommodations) available to women, generally those who are coming directly out of a domestic violence shelter or other crisis shelter, often in apartment complexes owned by the shelter; and programs that provide transitional housing and support services for other targeted groups such as military and veteran families and others who need a temporary supportive living environment to maintain stability and begin to thrive.