Housing

Case management is essential to the success of the Housing Opportunity for People Living with AIDS Program. A meeting with a case manager is required in order to receive assistance, although it is not necessarily the first step. Housing Case Managers will also complete eligibility assessments in order to determine HOPWA eligibility. The meeting with the case manager should be regarded not only as a program requirement, but also as an early opportunity to help a household improve its housing stability during and beyond the period of assistance.

To receive supportive services/Case Management the household can be housed or homeless. Supportive Services should be used to complement housing assistance services (TBRA, STRMU, and PHP) and promote housing stability, but may be provided as a standalone service.

• Determine HOPWA eligibility
  • At least one household member must be living with HIV.
  • Household annual gross income cannot exceed 80 percent of area median income per the household’s county of residence.
  • The household must reside in the four counties (Orange, Osceola, Lake and Seminole).
• Help HOPWA clients secure and maintain stable, affordable housing
• Assist clients develop a stable housing plan and connect client to needed services

Under the STRMU program, grantees may provide assistance for rent, mortgage, and/or utilities for up to 21 weeks of assistance in any 52-week period (weeks do not need to be consecutive). The amount of assistance varies by client depending on funds available, tenant need, and program guidelines.

Time-limited housing subsidy assistance designed to prevent homelessness and increase housing stability. Project Sponsors may provide assistance for up to 147 days (21 weeks) in any 365 days (52 week period). The amount of assistance varies per household depending on funds available, need, and program guidelines.

• Client must be currently housed
• Short-term, needs-based intervention
• 147 days (nearly 5 months) per HOPWA contract year.

Supportive housing assistance service that helps establish the household in the housing unit, including but not limited to reasonable costs for security deposits not to exceed two months of rent costs.

• Rent Deposit - not to exceed 2 months total rent
• Utility Deposit - One-time utility connection fees and processing costs
• Application Fees and 1st month's rent

TBRA is a rental subsidy that can be used to help individual households afford housing costs such as rent and utilities.

Long-term rental assistance program that help low-income households access affordable housing. Services are not tied to a specific unit, so households may move to a different unit without losing their assistance, subject to individual program rules. The subsidy amount is determined in part based on household income and rental costs associated with the household’s lease.

• Client must be currently housed
• Rent cannot exceed Fair Market Rate (FMR)
• Client responsible to contribute 30% of their income
• Unit has to meet HOPWA established Housing Quality Standards

Temporary shelter to program qualified individuals to prevent homelessness, and allow an opportunity to develop an individualized Housing Plan of Care to guide the client’s linkage to permanent housing.

• Hotel Voucher
• Provided to homeless households
• May not exceed 60 days in a 6-month period.

Transitional housing programs for individuals and/or families provide temporary assistance necessary to prevent homelessness, and to gain or maintain access and compliance with HIV-related medical care and treatment. Housing services must also include the development of an individualized Housing Plan of Care that must be updated monthly to guide the client’s linkage to permanent housing.

• Shared housing for homeless clients in need of high level supportive services