DDD Housing Vouchers: What Support Coordinators Need to Know - PowerPoint Presentation

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DDD Housing Vouchers: What Support Coordinators Need to KnowFebruary 12, 2016Revised as of July 1,2016

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The New Jersey Department of Human Services

Division of Developmental DisabilitiesSlide2

Agenda2BackgroundHow the Housing Voucher WorksSupport Coordinator RoleHousing Voucher ProcessResourcesNext StepsQ&ASlide3

Background3Approximately 200 housing vouchers are available through the Supportive Housing Connection (SHC) for individuals who qualify for DDD services, are not on the Community Care Waiver (CCW), and are currently experiencing housing instabilitySHC issues rental subsidies in partnership with the Division of Developmental Disabilities and the Division of Mental Health and Addiction Services DDD has identified potential recipients of these

vouchersThis webinar will provide an overview of the voucher process and explain the role of the Support Coordinator within that process Slide4

How the Voucher Works4The voucher provides a subsidy to the qualifying individual’s rentThe individual pays 30% of their adjusted gross income directly to the landlord; DDD and the SHC reviews the individual’s income annuallyIf the individual pays utilities separately, an additional deduction of $70 is applied to their rent contributionThe SHC pays the rest of the rent up to the Fair Market Rate (FMR) for the county, by direct deposit directly to the landlord on behalf of DDD Slide5

Voucher: Example5 Individual income $1000/month Individual pays 30% of income $300/month Utilities not included -$70/month subsidy Rent paid by individual $230/monthSlide6

Subsidy Start Date6Rental subsidy can begin on the 1st of the month only if all information is received by the SHC by the 23rd of the prior monthRental subsidy can begin on the 15th of the month only if all information is received by the SHC by the 9

th of the prior monthSlide7

7The Housing Voucher ProcessSlide8

Individual Requirements8Individuals identified by DDD must meet the overall Supports Program criteria in order to qualify for the housing voucherCompleted NJ CATMedicaid eligibleIndividuals must also have a Support Coordinator prior to receiving servicesIf the individual does not have an SC at the time of identification, the individual may select one or DDD will assign one according to the usual process

Individuals using a housing voucher must also monitor Section 8 vouchers in their county, and must apply, even if there is a waiting list; may require SC assistance Slide9

Housing Requirements9Apartments must be one bedroomRent must not exceed Fair Market Rate (FMR)Apartments must meet HUD Housing Quality StandardsSHC will determine that FMR and Housing Quality Standards are met, once an apartment has been identifiedSlide10

Process Overview: Three Phases10Slide11

Phase 1: Identifying & Notifying Individuals(SC Role in Blue)11Slide12

Phase 2: Securing the Voucher(SC Role in Blue)12Slide13

Phase 3: Two Paths13There are two paths by which individuals can access the voucher, depending on their current housing statusOne path for individuals who are already living in an apartmentOne path for individuals who will be moving into new apartmentsSlide14

Phase 3: For Individuals Already Living in Apartment(SC Role in Blue)14Slide15

Phase 3: For Individuals Moving into New Apartment(SC Role in Blue)15Slide16

Start-Up Resources for Individuals Moving Into New Apartments16SC will assist the individual in identifying community resources for free/low-cost furniture, other itemsFamilyFriendsGoodwillDonations

Faith communitiesIf gaps still exist after other resources are exhausted, alert your DDD Mentor; assistance will be determined on a case-by-case basisSlide17

Review: SC Role in Housing Voucher Process17Notify individual of housing voucher opportunity, if identified by DDD/SHCIdentify natural supports and/or need for individual supports, and update ISP accordinglyComplete Attachment A or B, depending on whether individual is living in apartment or moving into new apartmentAssist with applying for and monitoring Section 8 lists in the individual’s county

Facilitate access to housing options and one-time items needed for move-in (furniture, etc.), as neededSlide18

In Summary: Support Coordinator Role18Support Coordinators will participate in the housing process in the same way they participate in other services today, supporting the individual throughout the process and helping to identify supportsSupport Coordinators are not responsible for:Finding apartments for individuals Evaluating appropriateness of apartments

Negotiating rent for individualsProviding transportation for individualsSlide19

Resources19The NJHRC offers a database to assist individuals and service providers looking for affordable housinghttp://www.nj.gov/njhrc/find/The site offers a searchable interactive online database of affordable and accessible units in NJ

Managed by Social Serve, a non-profit that provides housing locator tools to states and localities throughout the country30 general and advanced search fields, many related to accessibility features

Spanish and English Toll-Free Call Center

Individuals

can also contact one of the various housing authorities operating in New Jersey to find out about available resources specific to the areas they cover. Links to housing authorities are below

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/states/new_jersey/renting/hawebsites

http://portal.hud.gov/hudportal/HUD?src=/program_offices/public_indian_housing/pha/contacts/nj

Other

resources:

Social Serve -

http://www.socialserve.com/landlord/NJ/CityChooser.html

Craigslist -

http://

geo.craigslist.org/iso/us/nj

Regardless of where the apartment is listed, always confirm that the rent does not exceed

the appropriate county’s

Fair Market Rate (FMR)Slide20

Next Steps20Individuals will begin to be identified in FebruaryIf you have an individual who is identified for a voucher, you will be notified by your DDD MentorIf you have an individual who you believe needs a housing voucher, please notify your DDD Mentor of the situation/personSlide21

Thank you!21Q & A