Erica Holmes, CHC, MS, QMHP Housing Specialist Virginia Supportive Housing

 Housekeeping  Class introduction (name, agency, role in agency, one thing you do to manage stress)

 Possible Affordable Housing Options  Homeless Services  Housing Barriers/Overcoming Barriers  Basic Tenant and Landlord Rights (Fair Housing)  Working with Landlords (Outreach)  Review Assignment

 What is Permanent Housing?  Housing which is intended to be the tenant’s home for as long as they choose. Permanent Housing Options  Affordable Rental Housing  Conventional Rental Properties  Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)  Public Housing  Property Based Section 8  Housing Choice Voucher HUD- VASH-voucher w/ ongoing case management Shelter Plus Care- voucher w/ case management Central Virginia Resource Center (CVRC) VHDA/RRHA

 FMRs (fair market rent) are determined by HUD  FMRs function primarily to control costs.  FMRs also help ensure reasonableness in the Section 8 assisted housing program.  FMRs helped low-income households obtain better rental housing because public housing and substandard housing is excluded from housing choices.  AMI (area median income)- The midpoint family income from a metropolitan area or a non-metropolitan county, calculated each year by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for use in determining eligibility for housing programs. (this amount reflects the amount a family can not exceed to be eligible for a particular housing program) Fair Market Rent Summary Efficiency One- Bedroom Two- Bedroom Three- Bedroom Four- Bedroom $795$835$966$1,276$1,557 Richmond city, Virginia. FY2016 FMRs

 What Permanent Housing resources are out there in the community?

 Rental properties that fall under FMRs for the area ** more and more properties are over FMR**  Large apartment complexes  “Mom and Pop” property owners to include smaller apartment complexes  Single family Homes

 Owners of participating properties receive valuable tax credits in return for keeping their buildings safe, decent and affordable.  A property must have at least 20% of its units rented to households with incomes of 50% or less that the area median income (AMI) OR at least 40% of the units rented to households with incomes of 60% or less than the AMI. (AMI is determined by HUD)  Households income determines if they qualify based on household size, the number of bedrooms and AMI.  Tax credit participants usually make less than 30% of the AMI  Ex. Better Housing Coalition

 Property is owned by a government housing authority, which may be central or local. Property is usually managed by the government authority.  Public housing can also be social housing.  rental housing which may be owned and managed by the state, by non-profit organizations, or by a combination of the two, usually with the aim of providing affordable housing.  Assist very low-income families and individuals, homeless, the elderly, and the disabled Ex. Mosby Court, Whitcomb Ct

 Government-funded program that provides rental housing to low- income households in privately owned and managed rental units.  The subsidy stays with the building; when you move out, you no longer have the rental assistance.  Types of properties can vary including single-family homes, townhomes, or apartments.  Rental payment is based on approximately 30% of households income.  Can assist very low-income families and individuals, homeless, the elderly, and the disabled. PHA has authority to chose preference on whom it may serve  Other property based rental assistance programs:  Section 811 -Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program  Section Supportive Housing for the Elderly  For additional information on more Property based go to

Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Program for Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Dwellings for Homeless Individuals Provides Section 8 rental assistance/HCV to buildings with SRO units  Subsidy connected to property These PHAs make Section 8 rental assistance payments to participating owners (i.e., landlords) on behalf of homeless individuals who rent the rehabilitated dwellings. The rental assistance payments cover the difference between a portion of the tenant's income (normally 30%) and the unit's rent, which must be within the fair market rent (FMR) established by HUD.fair market rent (FMR) Eligible Grantees are public housing agencies and private nonprofit organizations. -Nonprofit organizations must subcontract with public housing agencies to administer the rental assistance

 Can assist very low-income families and individuals, homeless, elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.  PHA has authority to chose preference on whom it may serve  Households can locate their own housing as long as it meets the requirements of the program. (HQS) and (FMR) Landlord must also agree to participate in program.  Subsidy is paid directly to the landlord and family pays the difference between the amount of subsidy and the actual rent. Tenant portion is usually approximately 30% of household income. Shelter Plus Care CVRC VHDA RRHA

 Combines Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) rental assistance for homeless Veterans with case management and clinical services provided by the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).  Veterans who are appropriate for this program must be VA health care eligible Veterans, low income, be homeless, and need case management services (mental illness, substance abuse, and/or physical disabilities).  Provides permanent housing for eligible homeless Veterans who are single or eligible homeless Veterans with families.  Veterans can apply by contacting local VA homeless services.

 Prevention  Rapid Rehousing  Permanent Supportive Housing  SSVF (Supportive Services for Veteran Families) Homeless Point of Entry (Commonwealth Catholic Charities) Shelter Referrals

 What are some common barriers to Permanent housing?  Criminal Histories (sex offenders)  Credit Issues or no credit  Little or no income  Previous Evictions/ Rental Judgments  Unpaid utility bills  Not knowing where to look or knowing what’s available  Verifiable (ID & SS Card)

 Fugitive felons, parole violators and persons fleeing to avoid prosecution, or custody or confinement after conviction, for a crime, or attempt to commit a crime, that is a felony under the laws of the place from which the individual flees;  Persons convicted for producing Methamphetamine on federal assisted housing property;  Sex offenders who are required by law to maintain permanent/lifetime registration with a State program;  Persons evicted from federally assisted housing for drug-related criminal activity less that 3 years ago, unless the tenant successfully completes a rehabilitation program approved by a PHA or the circumstances for the eviction no longer exist. ***You may still be able to obtain a HCV but limited housing choices***

 Newspaper/Apartment Guide  Socialserve.com  HOME’s Affordable Housing Guide  VirginiaHousingSearch.com  Craigslist  Networking – Landlord Luncheon  “Mom and Pop” vs. “Big Business”

Houses & apartments built before 1978 have paint that contains high levels of lead. Federal law requires that individuals receive certain information before renting, buying, or renovating pre-1978 housing. Landlords most disclose known information about lead-based paint and lead –based paint hazards before a signed lease. Lease most have a disclosure about lead-based paint.

As a tenant or landlord you have certain rights and obligations under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act. wnership/PDFs/Landlord_Tenant_Handbook.pdf *Duplexes or houses may or may not be covered, depending on the lease and the number of properties owned by the landlord.

 Landlord has the right to charge application fee and/or security deposit  Landlord has the right to reasonable entry of the apartment  Landlord has the right to evict for violation of lease agreement  Landlords most provide a decent, safe and sanitary living condition  Landlords can not screen your applicants any differently than anyone else

 Tenant has a right to proper notices from landlord –rent increase/decrease, entry to apartment, eviction notice, etc.  Tenant has a right to a certain level of security  Tenant has a right to copy of lease and account ledge/history  Tenant must follow the rules & regulations of the lease agreement

The Fair Housing Law Every person has the right to be treated fairly in their search for a place to live. A landlord cannot take into account a person’s race, color, religion, national origin, familial status or sex when making a decision about whether or not to rent to a person. A landlord cannot take into account any disability a person may have, the fact that he/she has children, or your age if you are 55 or older.

 Successful Landlord Relationships  Think Like A Sales Person  Landlord Benefits  Honesty  Target “small” Landlords  Local Landlord Associations/Advisory Group  Positive Reputation  Strategic about Placements  Remain Neutral/Practice Patience

 Communication  Pay rent on time  Pay utilities/make sure utilities remain on  Report maintenance request  Understand the lease agreement  Follow the rules of the lease agreement  Treat you neighbors as you’d like to be treated  Never withhold rent

Homeless Point of Entry  Central Intake Substance Abuse Recovery  Richmond Outreach Center  Good Samaritan Inn (for men) Victims of Domestic Violence  Safe Harbor  YWCA Legal Help United Way Dial – 211 or

 Think about what your process would be if a client is faced with violating their lease agreement. This could be because of loud noises, housekeeping concerns, or unauthorized tenants. What if the tenant has a mental illness?  Think about your clients current housing crises and if it can be helped by PSH, Rapid Rehousing, Prevention or SSVF funds/programs.  Your client has $600 month income, recent eviction, and criminal history do you know of any properties in the area that will lease to them? What if they have a dog?

Affordable housing website – Housing First – Pathways to Housing Video NAEH video on ending family homelessness VHDA – HUD- RRHA – HOME – affordable housing guide -

Erica Holmes: ng.org