Basic Needs: Housing/Shelter

Results: 29

• Community Shelters (2)
  BH-1800.8500-150

  Community Shelters

  BH-1800.8500-150
  
  Programs, usually sponsored by community organizations or coalitions, that provide temporary shelter for homeless people, generally in dormitory-style facilities with very little privacy. Most community shelters offer support services which may include counseling, advocacy, referrals and help with future plans; and enforce house rules including curfews and mandatory household chores. Participation in religious activities is either optional or not a part of the program. There may be differences in intake, length of stay and amenities in family oriented facilities and those that target other specific populations.
• Crisis Nurseries/Child Care (1)
  BH-1800.1500-050

  Crisis Nurseries/Child Care

  BH-1800.1500-050
  
  Programs that provide temporary shelter/residential care for infants and children who are at risk for or who have experienced child abuse or neglect in the home or whose families are experiencing an emergency that makes it untenable for the child to remain in the home. Care is generally provided by licensed family child care homes that are available on a 24-hour basis when needed. Some providers are able to accommodate children to age 12 or 14 and will consider older children on a case-by-case basis, while others limit their services to very young children, generally from birth to age five or six.
• Emergency Shelter Clearinghouses (3)
  BH-1850

  Emergency Shelter Clearinghouses

  BH-1850
  
  Programs that coordinate requests for emergency shelter by screening homeless individuals who apply using criteria established by the shelters, maintaining lists of individuals who have been aided, and checking new applicants against the lists before referring them to a resource that can meet their needs. Emergency shelter clearinghouses help to avoid duplication of service and maximize the availability of shelter resources while relieving the agencies of the task of handling requests directly. Also included are programs that refer people needing shelter to an appropriate resource, but which are not the sole source for this information.
• Extreme Weather Shelters (1)
  BH-1800.8500-185

  Extreme Weather Shelters

  BH-1800.8500-185
  
  Programs that provide overnight accommodations during times of extreme heat or cold for people who are temporarily at risk for exposure due to a power failure, fuel shortage, road closure, homelessness or other situations which make them vulnerable.
• Home Barrier Evaluation/Removal Services (2)
  BH-3000.3500

  Home Barrier Evaluation/Removal Services

  BH-3000.3500
  
  Programs that provide assistance in the form of labor and supplies for people with disabilities who need to install ramps, elevators, stair glides or lifts; widen doorways; install grab bars in showers and bathrooms; lower kitchen and other cabinets; or make other modifications in their homes or apartments to make them accessible. Also included are programs that assess the accessibility of homes and apartments of people who have disabilities and make recommendations regarding necessary modifications.
• Home Rental Listings (1)
  BH-3900.3050

  Home Rental Listings

  BH-3900.3050
  
  Programs that maintain lists of available rental housing for review by people who are in search of housing. Included is information that is available online, in print or in other formats.
• Homeless Diversion Programs (1)
  BH-0500.3100

  Homeless Diversion Programs

  BH-0500.3100
  
  Programs that help people seeking shelter identify immediate alternate housing arrangements (e.g., a shared housing arrangement, reestablished lease arrangements with a previous landlord, moving in with friends/relatives) and if necessary connect them with services (such as short term case management, conflict mediation and moving in expenses) to help them return to permanent housing. The main difference between diversion and other permanent housing-focused interventions centers on the point at which intervention occurs. Prevention targets people at imminent risk of homelessness, diversion targets people as they are applying for entry into shelter, and rapid re-housing targets people who are already homeless.
• Homeless Drop In Centers (1)
  BH-1800.3500

  Homeless Drop In Centers

  BH-1800.3500
  
  Centers where homeless people can spend time during the day or evening. Services may include counseling and/or medication monitoring on a formal or informal basis; personal hygiene supplies; facilities for showering, shaving, napping, laundering clothes, making necessary telephone calls or attending to other personal needs; and other basic supportive services. Some centers may also provide meals or facilities for cooking. Programs that focus on homeless youth may provide case management, living skills training, family reunification assistance, classes and other educational supports, pre-employment training, health education (including HIV prevention), help in obtaining valid ID and other services that help youth successfully exit street life and transition to independent living.
• Homelessness Prevention Programs (2)
  BH-0500.3140

  Homelessness Prevention Programs

  BH-0500.3140
  
  Programs that provide financial assistance and supportive services that stabilize households in their current housing or help them to move into new housing without first entering the shelter system or experiencing homelessness. Services may include financial assistance (short or medium-term rental assistance, security or utility deposits, utility payments, moving cost assistance), housing relocation and stabilization services, legal assistance (generally mediation), credit counseling and case management. The goal is to help households resolve their crisis, secure short-term financial or rental assistance as needed, and access ongoing sources of support in the community in order to remain housed. If the individual or family is unable to stay in their existing housing, the prevention program helps the household to find an alternative housing arrangement that is safe, reasonably affordable and adequate.
• Housing Authorities (7)
  BH-8300.3000

  Housing Authorities

  BH-8300.3000
  
  City, county, or state housing offices that provide information about eligibility for and vacancies in the subsidized housing properties that are under their jurisdiction. Housing authorities accept Section 8 applications, provide Section 8 vouchers, make approved Section 8 rental payments and administer public housing communities while in certain rural areas, the housing finance agency may play this role.
• Housing Counseling (1)
  BH-3700

  Housing Counseling

  BH-3700
  
  Programs that provide comprehensive assistance for people who want to rent or purchase housing including information and guidance about buying and rental costs; how to select affordable housing that meets individual needs; and how to provide for insurance, maintenance and other requirements related to acquiring and paying for housing.
• Housing Development (3)
  TB-3000

  Housing Development

  TB-3000
  
  Programs that monitor and analyze the current housing environment in a community and provide support for the development, finance, management and preservation of a mix of decent, safe and affordable housing for individuals and families of all income levels. Housing development programs improve the livability of communities, expand home ownership opportunities, build a strong tax base, encourage safe streets and empower neighborhoods and communities to flourish.
• Housing Related Coordinated Entry (4)
  BH-0500.3200

  Housing Related Coordinated Entry

  BH-0500.3200
  
  Organizations that are part of a community-wide, coordinated effort to identify, assess and find appropriate options for homeless individuals and families seeking housing or related services, and/or for those at imminent risk of becoming homeless. The number of physical access points in the community for intake and assessment may vary (no wrong door), but all sites use the same assessment and targeting tools; make referrals using the same criteria and have access to the same set of resources including homelessness prevention (e.g., rent assistance), shelters, shelter diversion programs, service centers, transitional housing programs, permanent housing programs and outreach programs. Most coordinated entry programs also include real-time knowledge about program inventory and capacity, referral and waiting list management, and enrollment/admission decision criteria as process components.
• HUD Management Companies (2)
  BH-8300.3200

  HUD Management Companies

  BH-8300.3200
  
  Real estate organizations that contract with HUD to manage HUD rental property. Responsibilities include screening of applicants; rental, maintenance and upkeep of the apartment units; and enforcement of rental agreements.
• Low Income Home Loans (1)
  BH-3500.3400-450

  Low Income Home Loans

  BH-3500.3400-450
  
  Programs outside of HUD that provide direct or guaranteed housing loans for low-income families who do not have sufficient resources to purchase a home for themselves and who could not otherwise secure credit for this purpose.
• Low Income/Subsidized Private Rental Housing (43)
  BH-7000.4600-450

  Low Income/Subsidized Private Rental Housing

  BH-7000.4600-450
  
  Privately owned rental housing that is made available to low-income individuals and families at reduced rates based on a contract between HUD or the state housing authority and the property owner. Subsidies are paid directly to the owner of the property who then rents units to income-eligible individuals and families. Also included are low-cost or below market rate housing that is operated or sponsored by religious or charitable organizations for the benefit of low-income individuals and families; and rental housing targeted to lower income households that has been purchased, rehabilitated or constructed by developers who are receiving a federal income tax credit under the Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) program or are participants in other similar affordable housing incentive programs. Some privately owned rental units that were developed or improved with public funds are also required to rent a designated number of units at reduced prices to people who meet low-income eligibility requirements until the federal or state loans are paid. Some complexes or housing units may be reserved for low-income older adults, people with disabilities and/or other special populations. Included are income-based rental housing where tenants pay rent that is geared to their income; as well as fixed below market rate rental housing where rent is lower than what people would normally pay renting the unit but is based on a specified percentage of the median income for the area rather than on a percentage of an individual's actual income, and tenants may have to be within a specified income range to live there. Rental amounts and the level of "affordability" may vary considerably among programs.
• Maternity Homes (1)
  LJ-5000.5000

  Maternity Homes

  LJ-5000.5000
  
  Programs that provide shelter, care and support services, which often include counseling regarding future plans and instruction in child care and development, for pregnant women who are unable to remain in their own homes.
• Post Disaster Housing Assistance (1)
  TH-2900.6500

  Post Disaster Housing Assistance

  TH-2900.6500
  
  Programs that provide for the short and long-term housing needs of individuals and families who have lost their place of residence in a major disaster or large-scale emergency by providing them with a mechanism for reporting damage, by arranging for temporary housing while their homes are being repaired or rebuilt, by helping them identify alternative short and/or long-term housing replacement arrangements, by supporting their ability to make structural repairs that will enable them to return to their homes, or by supporting their ability to rebuild. Some forms of post disaster housing assistance are generally also available to individuals who have experienced a localized incident such as a house fire that has made them temporarily homeless.
• Public Housing (1)
  BH-7000.4600-600

  Public Housing

  BH-7000.4600-600
  
  Housing developments or scattered single family dwellings that are owned and managed by local housing authorities and rented to income and program eligible individuals and families, including older adults and people with disabilities. The units are governed by federal regulations which determine the application process, eligibility requirements, and tenant payment and lease obligations. Eligible households pay approximately 30% of their adjusted gross income for rent.
• Rapid Re-Housing Programs (5)
  BH-0500.7000

  Rapid Re-Housing Programs

  BH-0500.7000
  
  Programs that help individuals and families experiencing episodic or transitional (as opposed to chronic) homelessness transition more quickly out of the shelter system or avoid it altogether, and move into permanent housing ideally within 30 days of becoming homeless. Rapid re-housing assistance is generally offered without preconditions (such as employment, income, absence of criminal record, or sobriety) and the resources and services provided are typically tailored to the unique needs of each household. Services include housing search and selection support, assistance in negotiating the terms of a lease, short term rent subsidies and move-in assistance, individualized case management after the individual/family has moved into the home, ongoing crisis prevention and crisis management services as needed, facilitated access to community resources (e.g., benefits, employment) and other supportive services.
• Redevelopment Programs (3)
  TB-7000

  Redevelopment Programs

  TB-7000
  
  Programs that acquire and/or redevelop property in a community with the objective of providing an affordable, safe, sanitary and pleasant place for people to live and work while at the same time attracting private investment in business and industry. Redevelopment programs clear slums and renew or rehabilitate old housing and other structures in blighted and depressed sections of the community, provide for commercial development, offer tax incentives and take other steps to revitalize urban and rural areas.
• Rent Payment Assistance (3)
  BH-3800.7000

  Rent Payment Assistance

  BH-3800.7000
  
  Programs that make rental payments for people who are at risk of eviction without assistance. Also included are rent supplement programs that provide assistance with ongoing monthly rental costs. Rent payment assistance programs may have age, income, disability, need or other eligibility requirements.
• Rental Deposit Assistance (1)
  BH-3800.7250

  Rental Deposit Assistance

  BH-3800.7250
  
  Programs that provide cash grants or loans for people who are in the process of acquiring rental housing and who can handle the monthly rental payments, but who do not have the assets to pay the first month's rent, in some cases, the last month's rent, and any security deposits required to move in.
• Safe Havens for Abandoned Newborns (1)
  LJ-5000.8000

  Safe Havens for Abandoned Newborns

  LJ-5000.8000
  
  Hospitals, health centers, police stations, fire houses and other facilities that are willing to accept, without questions, newborn babies delivered by mothers who are unwilling or unable to care for an infant and are thereby at risk for abandonment. Police reports are generally not filed and no attempt is made to contact the mother's family, even in situations where her identity is known. Infant safe haven statutes vary by jurisdiction with regard to who may leave a baby at a safe haven, the age of the baby at the time of relinquishment, the facilities that can be designated as safe havens, the responsibilities of safe haven providers, anonymity protection for parents and the consequences of relinquishment.
• Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers (2)
  BH-7000.4600-700

  Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers

  BH-7000.4600-700
  
  A federally-supported, tenant-based housing program administered by local housing authorities that provides assistance in the form of vouchers that enable income-eligible families to find and lease approved privately owned housing where the landlord has agreed to enter into a contract with the housing authority and/or finance agency. Tenant-based assistance provides rental subsidies that move with a household into any qualifying housing within a certain area. The housing can be (and often is) private housing that may not have been built with the intention of accepting solely low-income tenants, but if the quality and cost of the unit fall within a specified range, it may qualify. Eligible households pay approximately 30% to 40% of their adjusted gross income for rent and the housing authority subsidizes the balance.
• Single Room Occupancy Housing (1)
  BH-7000.4600-800

  Single Room Occupancy Housing

  BH-7000.4600-800
  
  Single room occupancy housing, which may include shared bath or kitchen facilities, that is owned and maintained by nonprofit and/or public organizations and is made available to eligible individuals at low rates. Also included are hotels that have been converted for use as single room occupancy housing.
• Sweat Equity Programs (1)
  BH-7000.8100-800

  Sweat Equity Programs

  BH-7000.8100-800
  
  Programs that make low-cost housing available to people who have very low incomes by organizing a group of volunteers to design and construct houses which are then sold at cost and at no interest to individuals who qualify by making a small down payment and investing a specified number of hours of "sweat equity" working on the project.
• Tenant Readiness Education Programs (1)
  BH-3700.8500

  Tenant Readiness Education Programs

  BH-3700.8500
  
  Programs that offer classes which help prospective renters acquire and keep decent housing. Many programs are tailored for people who have been denied housing because of poor or no credit, bad references, past evictions, criminal history or other screening barriers. These classes help participants learn how to take responsibility for past rental issues, improve their credit, manage their money, understand the application and rental process, find affordable housing, develop a positive relationship with their landlord and neighbors, and be responsible tenants. Specifics may include information about credit reports and how they are used in the tenant screening process; resources for evaluating an available rental unit and their prospective landlord; the tenant screening process and their rights under fair housing regulations; rental agreements and typical legal (and illegal) provisions; maintenance responsibilities (who is responsible for maintenance and repair of rental unit features); and moving out including notice, security deposits and evictions. Some programs issue a certificate of completion that can be presented to landlords upon application for tenancy. Also included are tenant education programs for high school or college/university students or others who lack experience as a tenant and want to begin their rental experience on a positive note.
• Transitional Housing/Shelter (7)
  BH-8600

  Transitional Housing/Shelter

  BH-8600
  
  Programs that provide extended shelter and supportive services primarily for homeless individuals and/or families with the goal of helping them live independently and transition into permanent housing. Some programs require that the individual/family be transitioning from a short-term emergency shelter. The length of stay varies considerably by program. It is generally longer than two weeks but typically 60 days or more and, in many cases, up to two years or more. The supportive services may be provided directly by the organization managing the housing or may be coordinated by them and provided by other public or private agencies. Transitional housing/shelter is generally provided in apartment style facilities with a higher degree of privacy than short-term homeless shelters; may be provided at no cost to the resident; and may be configured for specialized groups within the homeless population such as people with substance use disorders, homeless mentally ill, homeless domestic violence victims, veterans or homeless people with AIDS/HIV. In some cases, a "transition in place" option allows families to continue living in the same complex (if not the same unit) where their transitional housing unit is located when they are ready to move to permanent housing. In other cases, the permanent housing option is either public housing or private rental housing supported by a tenant-based voucher subsidy. Included are post-domestic violence shelter housing programs that make affordable rental housing (or other accommodations) available to women, generally those who are coming directly out of a domestic violence shelter or other crisis shelter, often in apartment complexes owned by the shelter; and programs that provide transitional housing and support services for other targeted groups such as military and veteran families and others who need a temporary supportive living environment to maintain stability and begin to thrive.