Part of the Clients Benefit Division Stephanie Macauley June 2022 COUNTY OF SUFFOLK DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES Preventive Programs available to preserve housing Placements Eligibility Determination ID: 1042459
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1. 1Temporary Housing AssistancePart of the Clients Benefit DivisionStephanie MacauleyJune 2022COUNTY OF SUFFOLKDEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES
2. PreventivePrograms available to preserve housingPlacementsEligibility DeterminationShelter PlacementsResponsibilitySanctionsPermanencyPrograms available to assist2Agenda
3. 3The Three P’s of Housing
4. Preventive Programs4Department of Social Services Family Service League (FSL) Services for the Underserved (SUS)HELP USALong Island Coalition for the Homeless (LICH)
5. To preserve an individual or family’s housing, the Department can:Assist with rent arrears - ongoing rent must be affordableAssist with home repairsUsing these Temporary Assistance (TA) programs:Emergency Assistance to Families – Diversion paymentsEmergency Safety Net Assistance – Household income must be below 125% of FPL 5Department of Social Services
6. 6Family Service League (FSL) & Services for the Underserved (SUS)Homeless Prevention and Rapid RehousingOne-time financial assistance to homeless individuals and at-risk homeowners in the Township of IslipEligible households can receive assistance with rent arrears, security deposits, and first month’s rentValuable resource for households who are not eligible for Emergency Temporary Assistance
7. HELP USA: Project AnchorProvides financial assistance with rental and utility arrears for those who qualifyCase Management / AdvocacyEmployment ServicesReferral for Legal AssistanceLandlord/Tenant MediationBenefits CounselingCommunity referrals
8. 8Long Island Coalition for the Homeless (LICH)Continuum of Care (COC) lead for Long IslandLocal planning body tasked by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to coordinate housing and services for homeless people in Nassau and SuffolkCoordinated Entry Prioritizes permanent and supportive housing based on length of homelessness and vulnerability
9. 9Individuals & Households in Shelter
10. Placements10THA Request and THA Eligibility DeterminationShelter Emergency Housing PlacementsReasonable AccommodationsResponsibilitySanctions
11. 11THA RequestTHA is a TA benefit!Client must be eligible for Temporary Assistance (TA) to qualify for Temporary Housing Assistance (THA)We can meet the emergency housing need before the client applies for TARequest for Temporary Housing Assistance Form will require the THA applicant to answer the following:Last permanent address?How much did you pay in rent? How long were you there?Reason for leaving that address?Where did you stay last night?Children’s school district?Who in the household is working? In what town their job located?
12. 12Eligibility Determination forTemporary Housing Assistance (THA)
13. 13Shelter PlacementsSCDSS is required to make every effort to place families in or near their children’s school districtPlacements are made where there is availability based on the household size and composition SCDSS can not guarantee placement requests that are not associated with a disability will accommodated
14. 14Reasonable Accommodation (RA)RequestsAll requests for an RA in a shelter will be evaluated and responded to the same dayDSS aims to meet the accommodation the same day There may be situations that require more information or more time to meet the accommodation All responses for a reasonable accommodation will be in writing
15. 15Service Animal RequestsMust be trained to perform a task to help the client with a disabilityDSS will ask:Is the dog a service animal required because of a disability?What work or task has the dog been trained to perform?Must be in compliance with all local laws and regulations regarding animalsMust be under the control of the handler at ALL times
16. 16Shelter Placements
17. 17Reduced Barriers to DSS ShelterSince March 2020, DSS Housing Unit has been conducting phone intakes during the day for people in our communities experiencing homelessnessClient does not need to go to DSS Center to request emergency housingHousing Unit will determine if household is potentially eligibleIf yes, client is provided placement and offered transportation to the shelterAt the shelter, staff will assist the client to apply for TA online at mybenefits.govAvoids anther trip to the Center to apply However, client may be required to report to Center to provide more information Emergency Services (ES) hotline operates after hours, weekends and holidays
18. 18The Shelter’s ResponsibilitiesProvide safe, secure environmentOTDA certification and inspectionsDSS inspectionsCheck clients into shelter by verifying identityComplete intake and assessment with the head of household to determine strengths, barriers, goalsMake referrals to services as needed to eliminate barriers Assist with housing searchesProvide transportation to required appointments, housing viewings
19. 19The Client’s ResponsibilitiesMaintain compliance with TA program requirementsWork with shelter to develop an Independent Living Plan (ILP) Seek and accept suitable permanent housingFollow the shelter rules Be respectful to the shelter staff and other residents
20. 20Sanction All individuals and families residing in THA must comply with TA program rules and regulations Sanctions are imposed when clients fail to comply with TA and/or THA regulationsPrior to discontinuing an individual or family’s THA, DSS must make two assessments: Is the household in need of services (APS, CPS or Preventive)?Does the responsible individual have any mental or physical impairments that contributed to the non compliance?
21. TA SanctionsSingle adult households TA case will close and De-authorized from THA Family households may incur a financial penalty, but will not lose THATHA SanctionsWill result in de-authorization from THA but will continue to receive TA grantDuration of TA and/or THA sanction is either until compliance or 30 days21Sanctions
22. Permanency22
23. 23Permanent Housing OptionsSection 8Coordinated EntryRapid RehousingESG voucherShelter Supplement Program (SSP) Foster Care Preventive SubsidyState Charge
24. 24Suffolk County Shelter Supplement Program(SSP)Family Size234567Standard$358$447$503$560$586$611Multiply2.52.52.52.52.52.5Net$895$1118$1258$1400$1465$1528Max.Client Contribution*$200$250$250$250$350$350Total Rent$1095$1368$1508$1650$1815$1878
25. 25Preventive Services Housing GrantThis program if offered through the Office of Children and Family ServicesFamily must have an active preventive services case or be eligible for preventive servicesUp to $300/month for 3 years This grant is in addition to the TA maximum standards and SSP monthly amountsA separate check is mailed to the landlord monthly
26. 26PermanencyDSS can assist with a move to permanent housing with:Security AgreementBrokers FeesCriteria:Proposed rent must be affordable on goingThe move must be:Out of a Shelter, Out of the District for employment purposes or to be united with family, orAn emergency such as an eviction or for health and safety
27. 27The Housing PackageVery easy to understandColor coded:Yellow = LandlordBlue = BrokerPink = Client/TenantThe necessary forms needed to assist with a move
28. 28Temporary Housing AssistanceRegulationsPart 900 ((Families)Part 491 (Singles)16-ADM-1194-ADM-2002-ADM-0203-INF-3418 CRR-NY 352.35
29. 29Shelter Management SystemOTDA is certifying all NYS OTDA Homeless shelters by January 1, 2023.Suffolk County has 62 sheltersOTDA requires that each shelter submit an operational plan and security plan:Operational Plan - describes the shelter’s location, size, layout and delivery of program services (case management, intake, assessment, face-to-face meetings, ILPs, connection to services, housing support, etc.)Security Plan - outlines fire safety precautions, shelter safety and securityOTDA Shelter certification is valid for 5 years
30. 30System EnhancementsNew SoftwareDSS and Shelter staff will have direct access to client’s electronic case record.
31. 31