HOUSING NEWS:
CITY LAUNCHES NEW HOUSING PLANS
(Article published in HWW April 2007)
Family homelessness reached a record high of 9,338 families in shelter last month. The city reported a 23% increase in the families entering the system and an 11% decline in the number of families moving into their own apartments in the past year.
Whatever the basic causes of the problem – and there was plenty of argument over who to blame -- the Dept of Homeless Service’s rent subsidy Housing Stability Plus (HSP) had failed to solve it.
"Landlords don’t like HSP!"
As we called around to update and correct our annual Apartment Hunting list of brokers (see page 4), that was the recurring theme. Brokers complain HSP rent levels are too low. When families on welfare are sanctioned, the rent’s not paid. (In fact 65% of HSP families had their payments disrupted.) Families can’t take jobs with decent salaries because they’ll lose their p.a. and their subsidy.
Finally late last month DHS Commissioner Robert Hess promised the city was moving ahead with changes. In a series of meetings with providers he proposed housing subsidy programs for families tailored to five different population groups. He withheld details because some programs require state approval. The first to be launched is Housing Initiative Plus (HIP) – a rent subsidy program for any family that is not eligible for ongoing cash assistance (public assistance). Family income must fall between 150% and 200% of the 2007 Federal Poverty Guidelines. Income can come from employment, Social Security benefits, child support or VA benefits.
Eligible families may receive up to four months advance rent, one month security, furniture allowance, moving expenses, and broker’s fee.
2007 POVERTY LEVEL GUIDELINES
FAMILY / 100% / 150% / 200%
SIZE / POVERTY / POVERTY / POVERTY
1 / $12,252 / $15,315 / $20,420
2 / $13,690 / $20,535 / $27,380
3 / $17,170 / $25,755 / $34,340
4 / $20,650 / $30,975 / $41,300
5 / $24,130 / $36,195 / $48,260
6 / $27,610 / $41,415 / $55,220
7 / $31,090 / $46,635 / $69,140
8 / $34,570 / $51,855 / $69,140
For family units more than 8 members, add $3,480
SHAKING IT UP — SHELTER STAFF STAGE A FAIR TO HELP FAMILIES FIND HOUSING
by Latisha Been, Senior Case Manager, Sojournor Truth House
On April 20th we are holding a Housing Fair and inviting brokers to Sojournor Truth House to meet with our clients. For each of the clients, we will have a portfolio telling who they are, how long they have been with us, if they are certified for any housing subsidy, and so on. We’re putting the portfolios together now. On the day of the Fair, we’ll have a continental brunch and open our offices so the brokers can meet one-on-one with our client families.
Some of us used to work at HELP Morris where we did have a Housing Fair. But this is the first time we have a done a Fair like this at Sojournor Truth House and we plan to hold one every year.
["HOW…WHEN…WHERE" is looking for stories about new ideas and new approaches to finding affordable apartments for families. If you hear about one, please let us know.]
