Transcript Long Term Support Program Supportive Housing Demonstration

NJ Department of Human Services
Division of
Family Development (DFD)
Why is housing important to TANF
recipients in NJ?
 New Jersey has the highest housing costs in the country
 In a Dec. 2001 report, the Anti-Poverty Network of New Jersey
stated that:
 22.8% of low-income families experienced “housing
hardship” in 1999 (unable to pay rent, mortgage or utilities
during previous 12 months)
 In 2000, 44% of renters in NJ were unable to afford the
Fair Market Rent for a 2-BR unit.
 Many of our low-income families are one crisis away from
returning to welfare
 New Jersey’s housing initiatives are helping low-income
working families stabilize their finances, minimize financial crisis
and, where feasible, become first-time home buyers
Housing Assistance Program
(HAP)
Created in 1997 as partnership
between DHS & NJ Dept. of
Community Affairs (DCA)
Provided temporary housing
subsidies to eligible WFNJ families
transitioning to work
Administered by DCA & funded
by DFD ($6M for 3 year
period...$2M per year)
Subsidy reduced as client’s
income increased. Savings from
reduced subsidy were put into
client’s escrow account, to help
with future costs
350 clients assisted
in 5 major
urban cities
Long Term Support Program
Supportive Housing
Demonstration Program
(SHDP)
A Public / Private Partnership
Goals of LTSP SHDP
1. Permanent
2. Affordable
3. Linked to Residential
Support Services
4. Geographically
Distributed
5. Partnerships
Overview of LTSP
Legal Services of
New Jersey
Case Management
Initiative
Supportive Housing
Demonstration Program
All LTSP Program
Participants
941
All LTSP Program
Participants
941
80 to 100 Participants
Assist LTSP Participants in
Applying for SSI or
Appealing
Denial of SSI
Conduct Needs Assessment Create Affordable, Permanent
and Provide Case Management
Housing Opportunities
Refer Inappropriately Housed Connected with Residential
to SHDP
Support Services
Other Innovative Approaches
Social Services for the Homeless
 State(SSH)
appropriation of $8M to
 Each county receives an
assist families and individuals who
are working and homeless or at
imminent risk of becoming
homeless ( and are not eligible for
WFNJ).
 Services include: emergency
food and shelter, payment of back
rent or utilities and security
deposits, etc.
 SSH serves 100,000 people
annually.
annual allocation to provide
services under contract with DFD.
 Additional $2M in TANF funds
allocated to augment SSH services
for working families with incomes
up to 250% of the federal poverty
level. Provides non-recurring,
short-term assistance (not beyond
4 months).
Other Innovative Approaches
TANF funding used to wrap around
Section 8 Vouchers
 $4 M in TANF dollars set aside to help
clients utilize their Section 8 Certificates
 Extremely low vacancy rate makes finding
a landlord to accept Section 8 difficult
 Funds can be used for security deposits,
moving or other expenses
 Allows payments to landlords while
repairs are made to bring a unit up to Section
8 standards
Other Innovative Approaches
Housing Subsidy Program
(MOE monies)
 Ongoing rental assistance or one-time expenses,
such as moving costs, utility turn-on or security deposit
 Current & former TANF clients with earned income
up to 150% of FPL, spending 40% or more of income on
rent
 TANF recipients who are employed and working at
least 20 hrs. per week for the past 4 months
 Must voluntarily close their welfare case
 Assistance up to 24 months
Issues in using TANF funds for Housing
TANF final regulations
define housing as “assistance”
 Therefore, payments
toward housing costs for a
working family could make
their TANF clock run (after 4
months)
 Recommend treating
housing like transportation,
child care and Medicaid
Key Contacts
 Liza Nolan, New Jersey
Program Director
Corporation for Supportive Housing
(CSH)
609-392-7820; fax 609-392-7818
[email protected]
 Larry Hatton
Department of Human Services
Policy and Planning
698-984-9335; fax 609-984-7380
[email protected]
 Barbara DeGraaf
NJ Division of Family Development
609-588-2405; fax 609-588-3369
[email protected]