Social Services Temporary Housing Assistance Programs in Suffolk County

COUNTY OF SUFFOLK DEPARTMENT OF SOCIAL SERVICES Temporary Housing Assistance 1

Agenda Preventive Try to preserve the current housing Placements Safe, temporary placement in a shelter Permanency Reaching the ultimate goal of permanent housing 2

Preventative Programs To preserve an individual or family s housing, the Department can: Assist with rent arrears - ongoing rent must be affordable Assist with home repairs, if applicant is the owner Using these Temporary Assistance (TA) programs: Emergency Assistance to Families Diversion payments Emergency Safety Net Assistance Household income must be below 125% of FPL Emergency Assistance to Adults Other possible programs Contact the township for possible availability in other rental assistance programs programs 3

Placements THA Request and THA Eligibility Determination Shelter Emergency Housing Placements Reasonable Accommodations Responsibility Sanctions 4

THA Request THA 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 TA Request 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 is their job located in? Do you need a reasonable accommodation due to a disability? 5

Eligibility Determination for Temporary Housing Assistance (THA) Consider available housing resources (such as friends and/or family) Available cash on hand Prior Compliance (this does not always apply, but could be a factor) Applicant completes a Request for Temporary Housing Assistance form Center TA worker interviews the client and makes a THA determination 6

Reasonable Accommodation (RA)Requests All requests for an RA in a shelter will be evaluated and responded to the same day DSS 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 Verification of a Disability is requested when the disability is not visible 7

Service Animal Requests Must be trained to perform a task to help the client with a disability DSS 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 service animals Must be under the control of the handler at ALL times 8

Shelter Placements Consideration is given to many factors when making a placement Children s educational needs - McKinney-Vento Act Employment needs - Promoting Self-Sufficiency Medical needs proximity to doctors and other medical appointments Child Care needs while parents work or look for housing 9

Reduced Barriers to DSS Shelter Client does not need to go to DSS Center to request emergency housing The DSS Housing Unit is conducting phone intakes during the day for people in our communities experiencing homelessness at 631-854-9547 during the hours of 8:00am 4:30pm Housing Unit will determine if household is potentially eligible If yes, client is provided placement and offered transportation to the shelter At the shelter, staff will assist the client to apply for TA online at mybenefits.ny.gov Avoids another 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 at 631-854-9100 10

The Shelters Responsibilities Provide safe, secure environment OTDA certification and inspections DSS inspections Check clients into shelter by verifying identity Complete intake and assessment with the head of household to determine strengths, barriers, goals Make referrals to services as needed to eliminate barriers Assist with housing searches Provide transportation to required appointments, housing viewings Assist with documentation required for their TA case. Ensure any approved RA s are being met. 11

The Clients Responsibilities Maintain compliance with TA program requirements Work with shelter to develop an Independent Living Plan (ILP) Seek and accept suitable permanent housing Follow the shelter rules Be respectful to the shelter staff and other residents 12

Sanction 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 regulations Prior to discontinuing an individual or family s THA, 2 assessments are conducted: 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? 13

Sanctions TA Sanctions Single adult households TA case will close and De-authorized from THA Family households may incur a financial penalty, but will not lose THA THA Sanctions Will result in de-authorization from THA but can continue to receive TA grant if eligible 14

Permanency 15

Permanent Housing Options Section 8 Coordinated Entry Rapid Rehousing ESG voucher Shelter Supplement Program (SSP) Foster Care Preventive Subsidy State Charge RSP 16

Long Island Coalition for the Homeless (LICH) Continuum of Care (COC) lead for Long Island Local planning body tasked by the Department of Housing and Urban Development to coordinate housing and services for homeless people in Nassau and Suffolk Coordinated Entry Prioritizes permanent and supportive housing based on length of homelessness and vulnerability 17

Suffolk County Shelter Supplement Program(SSP) Family Size 2 3 4 5 6 7 Standard $358 $447 $503 $560 $586 $611 Multiply 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 2.5 Net $895 $1118 $1258 $1400 $1465 $1528 Max.Client Contribution* $200 $250 $250 $250 $350 $350 Total Rent $1095 $1368 $1508 $1650 $1815 $1878 18

Preventive Services Housing Grant This program is offered through the Office of Children and Family Services Family must have an active preventive services case or be eligible for preventive services Up to $725/month for 3 years This grant is in addition to the TA maximum standards and SSP monthly amounts A separate check is mailed to the landlord monthly 19

Permanency DSS can assist a move to permanent housing with: Security Agreement Brokers Fees Furniture Voucher/moving expense Criteria: Proposed rent must be affordable on going The move must be: Out of a Shelter, Out of the District for employment purposes or to be united with family, or An emergency such as an eviction or for health and safety 20

The Housing Package The housing package can be found at: https://www.suffolkcountyny.gov/Departments/Social- Services/Client-Benefits-Administration/Housing-Package- Information Very easy to understand Color coded: Yellow = Landlord Blue = Broker Pink = Client/Tenant 21

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