The success of this program depends on the support YOU provide ENGAGEMENT THROUGH STABILITY The success of this program depends on the support YOU provide

HOMELESS VERIFICATION HOUSING STABILITY PLAN SOCIAL SECURITY CARDS INCOME VERIFICATION APPLICATION HOUSING SEARCH HOMELESS VERIFICATION DHHS RELEASE RFUA SIGNED LEASE COUPON APPLICATION CHECKLIST INSPECTIONS W-9 DRIVERS LICENSE DECLARATION 214 MAINEHOUSING RELEASE HOUSING STABILITY PLAN STATE ID SIGNED LEASE RADON TEST DISCLOSURE COUPON UN-SIGNED LEASE LEAD PAINT DISCLOSURE APARTMENTS

When incomplete paperwork is sent in, or documents are missing …THIS

Becomes THIS

But if we break it down into four groups… APPLICATION PACKET COUPON LANDLORD PACKET FINAL PAPERWORK

COUPON AND SIGNED OBLIGATION And upload them one COMPLETE group at a time UPLOAD #1 APPLICATION PACKET: APPLICATION CHECKLIST APPLICATION HOUSING STABILITY PLAN MAINEHOUSING RELEASE DHHS RELEASE DECLARATION 214 HOMELESS VERIFICATION SOCIAL SECURITY CARD DRIVERS LICENSE CLIENT INCOME UPLOAD #2 COUPON AND SIGNED OBLIGATION UPLOAD #3 LANDLORD PACKET: REQUEST FOR UNIT APPROVAL LEAD DISCLOSURE RADON DISCLOSURE UNSIGNED LEASE W-9 AND DIRECT DEPOSIT FORM AND…

Then… UPLOAD #4 But WAIT…..

You know the unit has passed inspection AND The client may sign the lease……… BUT……..

Once that lease is signed, it is CRITICAL that you get the lease and income information uploaded right away UPLOAD #4…….. FINAL PAPERWORK: SIGNED LEASE INCOME INFORMATION: 12 WEEKS OF PAYSTUBS OR EMPLOYEE VERIFICATION FORM ZERO INCOME CERTIFICATION AND Include another DHHS Release with a current signature and date

So why do we ask for income information AGAIN at the time of lease-up? When you submit income documents with the STEP Application, what you’re really doing is providing the proof that your client qualifies for the program as it pertains to their finances So why do we ask for income information AGAIN at the time of lease-up?

The population you work with often has a history of changing jobs, making their income variable and inconsistent. In order to calculate the tenant’s portion of monthly rent we need accurate, current and clear income documentation. We ask for 12 weeks because that is what HUD dictates Those 12 weeks income ideally will be dated from the date of lease up going back 12 weeks. If there is a lapse of employment during any part of those 12 weeks we ask that you submit a ZERO income certification with the missing dates accounted for

Once you’ve uploaded all the income documentation and the signed lease…. It’s CRUNCH time Our Financial Officer takes this income information and calculates the tenant’s portion of the rent, as well as MaineHousing’s contribution and prepares a letter which is then sent to the landlord, the tenant and the navigator.

Please ensure the client updates their address on their mailbox and with the US Postal Service to avoid returned correspondence and/or Utility Assistance Payments (if applicable).

Which landlord would you rather deal with?

Happy Tenant…Happy Landlord…Happy Navigator…Happy ME ! When all the components are in place, having been submitted in a timely fashion Happy Tenant…Happy Landlord…Happy Navigator…Happy ME !

It’s time to Celebrate BUT THERE’S MORE

A few final thoughts…. Please impress on the client the importance of SAVING. This could mean the difference between success and failure in the STEP program They need to save before they move in and receive the official notification of their portion of rent so they aren’t caught off guard They need to save throughout the months during which they are in STEP so they have the money to afford rent on their own once the program has ended

FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP, FOLLOW UP Budgeting Job Coaching Interviewing Skills Good Neighbor Relations Housing Stability Plan updates Landlord Relationships AND MORE FOLLOW UP…