 Under title XII of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA)  Congress designated $1.5 billion for communities to provide assistance to prevent homelessness and quickly re-house those who are currently homeless

 “To provide homeless prevention assistance to households who would otherwise become homeless – many due to the economic crisis – and to provide assistance to rapidly re-house persons who are homeless”  Temporary need is the key  The household must be able to maintain stable housing after the program concludes  FOR THOSE WHO WOULD BE HOMELESS BUT FOR THIS ASSISTANCE

 Households who would otherwise become homeless (Homeless Prevention)  Right on the brink of homelessness – not just late without any eviction notice  Households who are homeless (Rapid Re-Housing)

CountyMedian Income 1 Person2 Persons3 Persons4 Persons5 Persons6 Persons7 Persons8 Persons Barbour$39,400$15,100$17,250$19,400$21,550$23,250$25,000$26,700$28,450 Greenbrier$44,200$15,450$17,700$19,900$22,100$23,850$25,650$27,400$29,150 Marion$48,400$16,950$19,350$21,800$24,200$26,150$28,050$30,000$31,950 Monongalia$52,700$18,950$21,700$24,400$27,100$29,250$31,450$33,600$35,750 Pocahontas$43,100$15,100$17,250$19,400$21,550$23,250$25,000$26,700$28,450 Preston$52,700$18,950$21,700$24,400$27,100$29,250$31,450$33,600$35,750 Randolph$43,900$15,350$17,550$19,750$21,950$23,700$25,450$27,200$28,950 Taylor$42,700$15,100$17,250$19,400$21,550$23,250$25,000$26,700$28,450 Tucker$43,200$15,100$17,300$19,450$21,600$23,350$25,050$26,800$28,500

 In addition the meeting the income guidelines, the following must also be met:  Rapid Re-Housing  Homeless and it can be verified  No housing options identified  Lacks financial resources and support networks to obtain immediate housing  Homeless Prevention  At risk of losing housing, eviction notice  No housing options identified  Lacks financial resources to remain in existing housing

 In addition to meeting the income and the minimum qualifications, household must meet at least 1 risk factor :  Sleeping in an emergency shelter  Sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation, such as cars, parks, abandoned buildings, streets  Staying in a hospital or other institution for up to 180 days but was sleeping in an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately prior to entry into the hospital or institution  Graduating from, or timing out of, a transitional housing program  Victim of domestic violence

 In addition to the minimum qualifications, the following risk factors will be considered when evaluating applicants for Homeless Prevention:  Eviction within 2 weeks from current housing  Discharge within 2 weeks from an institution in which the person has been a resident for more than 180 days  Residency in housing that has been condemned by officials  Sudden & significant loss of income  Sudden & significant increase in utility costs  Mental health and substance abuse issues  Physical disabilities  Severe housing cost burden (greater than 50% of income)  Homeless in last 12 months

 Under 25 pregnant or with children  Current or past child welfare involvement  Pending foreclosure of rental housing  Extremely low income (<30% AMI)  High overcrowding  Past institutional care  Recent traumatic life event  Credit problems that preclude obtaining housing  Significant medical debt  Remember – It’s for those who would be homeless but for this assistance!  Ask yourself, “Where will this household be if they do not receive this assistance?” If the answer is not “homeless” then they are not a good fit for the program!

 Review of Referral Form

1.Your staff takes the referrals 2.The referrals are faxed or ed to the respective case manager for your area (contact information later). The release form must be sent with the customer’s signature. 3.The customer is then contacted within 3-5 days regarding their eligibility. If applicable, a face-to- face appointment will be made to gather documentation and do in-take.

 We cannot do current/future rental assistance for anyone who is residing in a subsidized rental unit  Homeowners (unless they have been foreclosed upon and need to move to a rental unit)  The chronically homeless and those with numerous problems are probably not a good fit for this specific program. (Temporary need is the key!)

 Preston, Monongalia, Tucker Counties Sarah Barker, – Fax referrals to  Marion, Taylor, Barbour Counties Allison Tomasek, – Fax referrals to  Randolph, Pocahontas, Greenbrier Counties Becky Brenwalt, – Fax referrals to Amanda Sisson, Case Manager Supervisor, ,