1. CalWORKs Housing Support Program Sacramento County
Assisting Families Toward Self Sufficiency

2. 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.

3. 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

4. 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%

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

6. 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

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

8. 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.

9. 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.

10. 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.

11. 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.

12. 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

13. 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

14. 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

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

16. 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