Family Promise of Warren County Inc

HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM
Purpose: to provide temporary assistance to households who are being evicted
due to a short-term loss of income.
Acceptable reasons for a temporary loss of income:
• Temporary lay off
• Medical emergency/disability
Substantial and permanent change in household composition
• Large, unexpected expense (major car repair payment)
Other reasons to document homelessness
Domestic Violence (need restraining order)
Natural disaster (need letter from Red Cross)
Fire (need letter from Red Cross and/or Fire Marshall)
Substantial and permanent change in household composition
** Any other reason must be approved by DCA

HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM
Eligibility Requirements:
Summons or warrant of removal from landlord-tenant court
u Court papers must have a docket number and a court date and must be
no more than 6 months old.
n Current gross income at or below 80 percent of Area Median Income
n Resided in the housing unit for at least three months without
incurring arrears
n Ability to pay monthly housing costs after receiving HPP assistance
Legally in the United States
11 New Jersey resident (someone whose primary residence is in New Jersey)

HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM
Ineligible Applicants:
® Applicants receiving a housing subsidy (on a rental assistance program)
§ Applicants being released from prison/jail
® Applicants on TANF and SSI (should be referred to their County Board of
Social Services for assistance)
Level of Assistance:
® Rental Arrears — Maximum is 3 months back rent plus any court fees, legal
fees and other late fees included as rent in a written lease.
® Relocation (applicant is homeless): Security deposit of up to 1 1/2 months
rent and 1 forward month's rent. (In extreme cases, you can provide 2
months forward rent with the permission of DCA)
The applicant cannot be assisted with both back rent and relocation to a
new unit.
+ All security deposits paid by HPP are grants to the tenants (unless it is a
loan)
• Security Deposit Only: permanently disabled or veteran household who just
obtained a Section 8 or VASH voucher.

HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM
* HPP was designed as a "one-time assistance program"
. A household should not be assisted more than once unless the
problem causing the eviction is different
n Any household receiving assistance more than once must
receive a loan payable to DCA— (0% interest with a 60
month repayment agreement).
® Staff must contact DCA via e-mail prior to determining
eligibility to see if the household was assisted before with HPP
funds.
II name of adult household members, social security numbers of
adult members and current address using the Excel format.

HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM
Missing Documentation:
® "Seven Day Letter": you have 7 days to provide the following information
(a detailed list of what is required) — failure to comply with same will
result in your application being deemed ineligible.
Ineligibility:
• Never tell a client that they are ineligible for HPP assistance verbally.
• Complete the Ineligibility Letter on your agency letterhead, identify all
of the reasons the applicant was denied. Mail it to the applicant
n Applicant may request a Fair Hearing within 15 days of the date of the
Ineligibility letter
• Hearings are held before an Administrative Law Judge
You will need to testify


HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM
• Applicants residing in properties owned by your agency, subsidiary or
affiliated organization are ineligible
• Households who have entered into a repayment agreement are ineligible
for receiving funds for arrears — they may only receive a security deposit
and first month's rent
• Households receiving any type of rental assistance are ineligible
• Mortgage costs or other expenses needed by homeowners for fees,
taxes, or other costs of refinancing a mortgage are ineligible
• Cannot provide assistance with both arrears and relocation assistance to
a new unit


HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM
Required Documentation:
Income: Proof of current income (four weeks prior to the application date).
• Earned income —4 weekly consecutive pay stubs or 2 biweekly pay stubs.
Unearned Income:
• Social Security benefits. Printout of award letter from Social Security
• Unemployment: Printout from NJ Department of Labor and Workforce
Development.
• Temporary Disability Benefits / Private Insurance: Check stubs or statement from
benefit source. If benefits are pending get a letter from the source projecting the
benefits that recipient will receive in the future including a start date.
• Child support: Copy of the court order or a copy of the probation records. Look
for arrearages, average year to date and the history of payments.
• Pension: A letter from the source of the pension or check stubs.
9 Veteran's Benefits: A statement from the Veterans Administration or check stubs.


HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGRAM
Identification:
Photo ID for everyone listed on the lease
• Current NJ Motor Vehicle issued Photo driver's license or non-driver's
license, Valid County or City id; Valid Veteran's id
• Social Security Cards for Everyone in the Household
• Birth Certificates for Everyone in the Household
Referral sources for potential clients:

County and local government agencies including County Continuum
of Care
3 NJ211
3 Landlord/tenant court (as part your grant it is imperative that make
contact with the Judge and his staff in order to make them aware of
the program)

HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION PROGKAIVI
• Application Process
• Intake over the phone (anyone who appears to be eligible should be
scheduled for a meeting). Make sure that you inform the caller what
they need to bring to this appointment — social security cards and
birth certificates for everyone in the household; Current Id; proof of
household income (documentation for the last 30 days);summons or
warrant of removal; lease; bank statements; and proof of hardship.
• Appointment
Screening sheet
Application
Monthly budget
Authorization of Release of Information
Declaration of Citizenship
Certification of Zero Income (if applicable)