Transcript Document

Living in Communities (LINC)
Rental Assistance Program
December 16, 2014
LINC IV

LINC IV is designed to assist homeless seniors.

Client must currently reside in a DHS shelter, safe haven, drop-in
center (or be on an outreach caseload) and must have resided there
prior to December 1, 2014.

One member of the household must be at least 60 years old.

Household must be eligible for Temporary Assistance (PA) or receive
Federal benefits (SSI, SSA, SSD, VA).

Priority will be given to households with the longest homeless
histories.

Household may receive annual renewals if the total household
income does not exceed 200% of the poverty guideline.
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LINC V

LINC V is designed to assist working singles and adult families.

Clients must currently reside in a DHS shelter, safe haven, drop-in
center (or be on an outreach caseload) and must have resided there
prior to December 1, 2014.

At least one adult member of the household must be employed at
least 30 days before certification (FT or PT).

The household must be in receipt of Cash Assistance or have a Single
Issuance (SI) case.

The total household income cannot exceed 200% of the Federal
Poverty Guideline (see Attachment A) for the family size.

The household may receive up to four 1-year renewals if the
household maintains employment and the total household income
does not exceed 200% of the poverty guideline.
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LINC IV and V Opportunities

LINC IV and V programs are designed to be flexible.

Clients have the option of renting an apartment with “enhanced
maximum rents” up to Section 8 levels; or

Clients can enter into shared living arrangements or rented rooms.
The maximum rental assistance for these arrangements is $800 per
month.

In all cases, the client contribution will be equal to 30% of gross
household income (earned and unearned).
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LINC Process

HRA will identify eligible clients. DHS OIT will generate and post
certification letters on the Remote Access Folder (S:Drive).

Certification letters are valid for 90 days. DHS will send out an e-mail
blast when certification letters have been posted to the Remote
Access Folder.

Shelters will submit completed apartment registration form with
completed OSD package to DHS for review.

DHS will review the package and send the package to HRA for
clearance, inspection and checks.

Once checks are made available, DHS will schedule the lease
signings.
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Maximum Rents

The following chart reflects the enhanced maximum rent amounts
for LINC IV and LINC V.
Family Size
Enhanced
maximum
rents LINC IV
Enhanced
maximum
rents LINC V
1
2
4
3
5
6
$1268
$1268
$1515
$1515
$1956
$1956
$1213
$1268
$1515
1515
$1956
$1956
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Sample Budget
A Sample budgets for LINC V is shown below.

The following is a sample tenant contribution and subsidy amount
for a LINC V apartment. Contribution and maximum rent will be
based on the household income and family size.
 Family Size:
2
 Enhanced Maximum Rent:
$1,268
 Monthly Household Income:
$1,320
 Monthly Tenant Contribution (30%):
$396
 Monthly Rental assistance:
$872

The Office of Housing & Program Planning will be responsible for
processing requests for the LINC IV and V. Designated shelter staff
will submit a leasing package with all required documents to the
Special Projects Unit for review. The unit will review the leasing
package to ensure that all documents have been submitted and that
they are complete and accurate.
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Provider Process

All providers should identify clients where one member of the household is
60+ OR has employment income. These clients should be sent to HRA to: 1)
Open a PA case; and 2) Have their case budgeted.

Clients should bring proof of income (1 month of pay stubs) or SSI/SSD
award letter to their HRA appointment. For Adult Family Households, all
members of the household must provide income documentation.

All Providers will receive an e-mail blast stating that certification letters for
eligible LINC IV and LINC V clients have been posted to the Remote Access
Folder (S:Drive). All Providers should ensure that they have access to the
Remote Access Folder.

In preparation for the implementation of the LINC rental assistance
programs, DHS recommends that Providers meet with the landlords and
brokers with whom they have developed relationships. The purpose of the
meeting is to ensure your contacts are knowledgeable of the rental
assistance programs by reviewing the LINC Rental Assistance Program.
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Provider Process
Upon receiving the e-mail blast Providers are to initiate the following steps:

Print Certification letters.

Meet with clients to discuss the eligibility criteria for their rental
assistance program.

Review the certification letter to ensure the information is accurate.

If the certification letter is correct:

The Provider is to give the household a copy of the certification letter,
the appropriate fact sheets for the household and landlord as well as
the forms that need to be completed by the family member(s),
landlord and broker.

The Provider is to task the household on the ILP to begin conducting a
minimum of 3 housing searches per week and submit proof.

The Provider is to assist the client with housing search.
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Provider Process



If the certification letter is inaccurate the Provider is to contact their
Program Analyst & Administrator.
The Provider is to monitor the PA status of each household utilizing
the Client Profile System (CPS) at a minimum weekly to ensure:
 The PA case is in Active status.
 There are no pending actions that would effect LINC eligibility.
 No family members are sanctioned.
If a Provider does not have access to CPS or is having difficulty
accessing CPS, contact your Program Analyst.
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Rental Process
When a client has found an apartment and the landlord has agreed to rent to the
client, the provider should submit a Leasing Package to the Special Projects Unit.
The leasing package consists of the following documents:

LINC Request Form

LINC Payee Form (to identify which person/entity is to be paid)

Residency Letter

Copy of Certification Letter

Employment Verification (Pay stubs/letter from employer)

Award Letters (SSI/SSD, etc.)

Program Tenant Statement of Understanding (LINC IV, V)

Taxpayer ID & Certification Form (W9)

Landlord Letter (Intent to Lease)

Landlord Statement of Understanding (LINC IV, V)

Apartment Registration Form (Inspection Request)

Standard for Permanent Housing Checklist (completed for room rentals only)

Broker Request for Payment (W147j)

Copy of Broker License
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Rental Process
For Apartment rentals, HRA will review the leasing package. If the
leasing package is deemed complete an apartment inspection will be
scheduled within 48 hours. DHS will inform the landlord/broker, shelter
contact of the outcome of the inspection.
 If the apartment does not pass inspection all parties will be
notified and the landlord will have 5 days to complete the repairs.
If the repairs are not completed within 5 days the client will be
delinked from the apartment and the leasing package rejected.
 If the apartment passes inspection HRA will schedule a lease
signing and notify the landlord, DHS, shelter contact and the
household. Client should start packing as soon as they are
notified that the apartment has passed inspection.
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Provider Role in the Rental Process

Provider staff must escort clients to the lease signing. All family
members must be present to sign the lease. Client will receive the
lease and keys to their apartment at the lease signing. Providers are
to place a copy of the lease in the case record.

Providers are to ensure that clients are logged out the day of their
move to permanent housing using the LINC IV or V exit codes.
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Aftercare

Shelter/ safe haven/ drop in center and outreach providers will be
expected to provide up to one year of aftercare. DHS will provide
funding at a level of $200/ per client per month. (Roughly 20
placements = 1 FTE aftercare worker)

Additional supports will be provided by HRA and DFTA
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Attachment A
Federal Poverty Guidelines
Effective 7/1/2014 – June 30, 2015
Household Size
Federal Poverty Guidelines 200%
Annual
Monthly
Twice monthly
Bi-weekly
Weekly
1
23,340
1,946
974
898
450
2
31,460
2,622
1,312
1,210
606
3
39,580
3,300
1,650
1,524
762
4
47,700
3,976
1,888
1,836
918
5
55,820
4,652
2,332
2,148
1,074
6
63,940
5,330
2,666
2,460
1,230
7
72,060
6,006
3,004
2,772
1,386
8
80,180
6,682
3,342
3,084
1,542
Each additional family
member add
8,120
678
340
314
158
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is LINC?
Answer: It is a Rental Assistance Program that targets specific homeless
populations, and stands for Living in Communities.
Who determines eligibility for any of the Programs?
Answer: HRA/DHS
How do I become eligible for LINC IV and V?
Answer: a) currently be in a DHS Shelter or in a street/outreach program b)
for LINC IV one member of the household must be 60+ c) for LINC V one
member of the household must be employed; c)must have an active
Temporary Assistance or Single Issuance Case.
How will I get my certification letter?
Answer: Certification letters can be accessed via the DHS Remote Access
folder/S Drive.
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Frequently Asked Questions
How is client contribution determined?
Answer: HRA calculates client contribution based on the budgeted income.
How much is the broker fee?
Answer: A check in the amount of one month’s rent.
What happens if a client loses employment while residing in their apartment?
Answer: The family is still responsible for paying their contribution. Clients
should contact their former shelter for Aftercare assistance.
How does the rental assistance work with undocumented working clients?
Answer: They maybe eligible as long as the income is budgeted by HRA and
they meet all other requirements.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What if you think a client is eligible but a letter does not generate?
Answer: Call your Program Analyst & Administrator
Where do you submit a lease package?
Answer: Special Projects Unit
How long does the inspection take?
Answer: 2 business days after HRA has approved the package
How long do we wait for a lease signing date?
Answer: After successful inspection you will be contacted by HRA to
schedule a date. All lease signings will be held at 109 East 16th Street
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Broker come to the lease signing?
Answer: Yes if they have power of attorney for the landlord
The certification is valid for how long?
Answer: Ninety (90) Days
If the client does not secure an apartment by the 90th day, is the client still
eligible?
Answer: A new certification will generate if the client meets the eligibility
criteria for LINC.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is 200% of the poverty guideline?
Answer: See attached table on page 15
Is Parks Employment being considered income?
Answer: No. Subsidized employment is not considered income for LINC.
What if my client is a citizen but has off the books income?
Answer: Income must be budgeted by HRA in order to be considered.
Can the rental assistance be used outside of NYC?
Answer: No, only EOSD can be used outside of NYC.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will clients receive after care information at lease signing?
Answer: Yes, at lease signing shelter contacts will be provided to the client
for Aftercare services.
When will clients that moved to permanency be notified of the renewal
process?
Answer: HRA will notify families three (3) months prior to the end of
the Lease
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Frequently Asked Questions
Will DHS have Housing Fairs to match clients with Landlords and Brokers?
Answer: We encourage Providers to have housing fairs to continue to increase
their relationships with landlords and Brokers as they have been doing. DHS will
provide housing resources as they become available.
How will I know if my family is eligible for Temporary Assistance (PA) in the
community?
Answer: HRA makes the determination
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Frequently Asked Questions
When will furniture money be available?
Answer: At lease signing
What happens if a certified client hasn’t moved within 90 days?
Answer: If still eligible, they will be re-certified for another 90
days. However, you should be meeting with all certified clients regularly to
assist them to secure housing as soon as possible - LINC funding is limited.
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Frequently Asked Questions
When can we inform clients about LINC?
Answer: Immediately. You can begin to identify potential clients by
reviewing LOS, income, and client demographics reports. Again, eligibility is
determined by HRA and only certified clients are eligible for rental
assistance, but you can make sure each client has their income budgeted
and that their TA case is AC or SI.
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