CalWORKs Housing Support Program Sacramento County Assisting Families Toward Self Sufficiency

Overview Effective December 2014, the Housing Support Program (HSP) was implemented as a component of the CalWORKs program in Sacramento County. Sacramento County received $1.3 million. HSP is not in lieu of Homeless Assistance (HA) and can be used in conjunction with temporary HA. HA does not have to be used prior to receiving HSP.

HSP Housing Assistance HSP may be used to cover the following “verified” expenses from an eligible provider: Move in Expenses Rent including first and last and deposits Utilities, including deposits and arrearages if required to turn utilities on Rent Subsidies For up to eight months – decreases 20% each month beginning with month five

Rent Subsidies The following chart indicates the percentage of the rent that may be paid by HSP for each month the family receives a rent subsidy. Month Rent Subsidy 1st /Move in month through 4th Month 100% of rent paid with HSP   5th Month 80% 6th Month 60% 7th Month 40% 8th Month 20% Subsequent months 0%

How we receive referrals Walk ins Worker referrals Referrals from Shelters Weekly visit to Mary House/Loaves and Fishes School districts

Partners Family Emergency Shelters Monthly Meetings Volunteers of America (VOA) Next Move St. John’s Program for Real Change Monthly Meetings Sacramento Steps Forward (SSF) Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency (SHRA) City of Sacramento

Shared Housing Shared housing may be considered for HSP housing if all rent contributors are identified on the lease or rental agreement.

Circumstances for HSP Denial CW participants will not be eligible to receive HSP housing assistance when the CW family: No longer has a CW recipient. Is not in an eligible residence situation. Does not meet additional county eligibility criteria.

Circumstances for HSP Denial Cont. Chooses not to participate with FS when eligible. Is denied/discontinued from FS services for noncooperation with the FS program. Does not want to participate with HSP SW. HSP funds are not available.

Circumstances for HSP Discontinuance HSP participants will no longer receive HSP housing assistance when the CW family: Moves out of Sacramento County. Whereabouts are unknown. Completed the HSP program. No longer has a CW recipient. Is non-compliant with HSP requirements. Is no longer eligible per county requirements.

Overview of HSP SW Duties Interview the participant the same day referral is received or within 24 hours. Complete Housing Plan at every contact and review progress at every contact. Document all interviews, contacts, and progress in the Case Plan and Case Comments. Assist with Housing Search. Verify all required expenses with vendor Explain program to landlord Be advocate for landlord and participant. Adhere to participant contact requirements. Authorize HSP payments to be issued by worker Meet with participant throughout HSP assistance Participate in monthly staffing meeting.

Overview of Specialist Duties Review housing options with participant and complete Enrollment Form accordingly Issue payments within two days when HSP Payment Form received from SW Keep SW informed of changes in case status Update Case Comments

Overview of Supervisor Duties Authorize NSDI payments Enter information from forms into HSP Spreadsheet on flow basis Assure all participants have been updated in the spreadsheet every month until discontinued Submit spreadsheet on monthly basis Participate in monthly staffing meeting and weekly conference calls

Monthly Staffing Meeting Mandatory attendance for all HSP SW and their supervisors Held mid-month to allow for timely notification if adverse decision is made Staff all cases that are proposed to be discontinued (non-cooperative participants or those not moving forward with their Housing Plan) Identify resources that may be needed

Challenges Finding landlords who are willing to participate Finding affordable housing Coordination of efforts with local shelters Making initial and follow up contact

Forms HSP Data Collection Worksheet HSP Referral From Shelter HSP Enrollment Form HSP Data Collection Worksheet - HSP SW HSP Payments-Case Status Worksheet HSP Data Collection Worksheet – Worker Housing Plan