Homelessness Prevention:
RAFT Cuts Partially Offset

RAFT Program Cut

Governor Patrick recently filed legislation that transfers funds from the Residential Assistance to Families in Transition (RAFT) program to the Mass Rental Voucher Program (MVRP). The legislation transfers $2.9 million from the RAFT program, almost the entire RAFT budget for FY10, to preserve existing MRVP vouchers (preventing some families from losing their subsidies).1 While the RAFT program has been important in helping low income tenants avoid homelessness or obtain new housing, one rationale for the transfer articulated by the Administration was that, at least in the short term, there are new federal homelessness prevention funds (the Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program or HPRP) through the federal stimulus bill.2 According to Kelly Turley of the Coalition for the Homeless, the remaining RAFT funds will be used to target households who are living in areas without HPRP allocations, primarily in Berkshire county.

HPRP is not a replacement for RAFT; however specific at-risk and homeless populations may access HPRP funds for short-term assistance through local agencies. The following article will summarize how the federal stimulus money has been distributed on a state and local level throughout the commonwealth and how low-income homeless individuals and those at risk of homelessness can access funds and services.

The Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP)

HPRP is a federally funded homelessness prevention program that is part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. The program provides services and financial assistance to homeless and at-risk households who only need short-term help to achieve housing stability. HPRP funds can be used to help households keep their housing or find new housing and financial assistance to pay for rent, utilities, and other approved expenses. HPRP benefits are short-term only, for households whose income is at or below 50% of Area Median Income and who can stabilize their housing situation in a short period of time. Specifically, HPRP funds can provide a rent subsidy for up to 18 months if one can document that they should be self-sufficient beyond this time frame. An example might be someone who considered “emergency” or priority status on a housing waitlist and is expected to get subsidized housing within 6-12 months. Services will vary by agency as will specific rules around financial assistance. Financial assistance will not be made directly to households taking part in the program, but instead to landlords, utility companies, etc. Additionally, financial assistance will not provide mortgage assistance or payments for mortgage refinancing as there are other stimulus programs focusing on foreclosure prevention. Massachusetts’ HPRP funds are also divided into two pools of money distributed at the state and local levels.

State HPRP

The U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) awarded approximately $18 million in HPRP funds to the state’s Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) who in turn set the goals for the state HPRP program, using federal guidelines. The award has been split between 20 grantees that are each focusing on one or more of the following 4 services areas:

Most of these funds are being used to assist families because the state has a legal mandate to house families with children and such a mandate does not exist for single adults. To qualify for “Diversion” funding, families must be within 48 hours of homelessness, so these funds are mainly available to DHCD workers when families apply for family shelter.

Application for State HPRP program : Eligible individuals must apply through one of the 20 grantee agencies that service his/her community. To locate an agency:

Local HPRP:

In addition to state HPRP program, 20 “entitlement” communities were granted funding through HUD. These communities include:


Application/Assessing Funds and Services: If an individual resides in one of the above listed communities, HPRP funds and/or services will be accessible through a number of local agencies, which vary by town. Locating agencies may be challenging; however, the local Continuum of Care (CoC) agency or town hall may be able to assist.

An example of how funds were distributed in the city of Boston (one of the entitlement communities) is as follows:

The City of Boston was awarded $8.2 million for HPRP. 16 Social Service agencies were awarded a portion of the HPRP funds. The subgrantees are:

According to Kelly Turley of the Coalition for the Homeless, contracts were signed December 10 th, 2009; however, agencies have been requested to hold off on administering funds. More information will follow when available.

As noted above, MBHP will be administering funds only; however, MBHP can be a resources in directing advocates to agencies in the Boston area that are receiving HPRP funds. For more information on the Boston area HPRP program, contact MBHP’s Boston Homelessness Prevention Manager, Caitlin Dolan at Caitlin.Dolan@mbhp.org or 617-425-6628.3

Regional Networks to End Homelessness – State ICCH Funds

In addition to HPRP funds another pool of money exists with the purpose of reducing homelessness.

On December 16, 2008 The Patrick-Murray Administration awarded $8 million to eight regional pilot networks around the state under the auspices of the Interagency Council on Housing and Homelessness (ICCH). The networks will help better coordinate, integrate and implement innovative services focused on securing permanent housing options for homeless individuals and families, and ultimately lessen the need for emergency assistance shelters.

ICCH funds can be used for rental arrears, security deposits, etc. Though a relatively small amount of money has been awarded, these Shelter Prevention funds are flexible; they can be used for needs that impact homelessness beyond the direct costs of housing. An example might be to get a car repaired if there is no alternative transportation and the individual needs the car to keep his/her job. Eligibility criteria: pregnant women or parents with at least one child 19 and under, and income less than 115% FPL. Families would contact their REGIONAL PILOT NETWORK (click on Contact Information for Staff of the Regional Networks) to determine eligibility and availability of funds.4

Footnotes

1http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3terminal&L=3&L0=Home&L1=Legislation+%26+Executive+Orders&L2=Legislation&sid=Agov3&b=terminalcontent&f=legislation_legis_091029budget&csid=Agov3

2 Massachusetts Law Reform Institute – Governor’s FY 2010 Budget Cuts: Preliminary Analysis of Selected Cash Assistance, Child Care, Child Welfare, Elder and Workforce Development Items, October 30, 2009

3MA Coalition for the Homeless’ Housing Benefits Meeting, December 4, 2009

4http://www.mass.gov/?pageID=gov3terminal&L=6&L0=Home&L1=Our+Team&L2=Lieutenant+Governor+Timothy+P.+Murray&L3=Councils%2c+Cabinets%2c+and+Commissions&L4=Interagency+Council+on+Housing+and+Homelessness&L5=Regional+Networks+to+End+Homelessness&sid=Agov3&b=ter

 

12/09