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The City of St. Louis
Department of Human Services
Homeless Services Division
in partnership with the
City of St. Louis Continuum of Care for Ending Homelessness
Introduce Hope is Moving In - CALL 211 for referral to the Hope is Moving In Program
Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP)
Informational Guidelines for the Community
Francis G. Slay
Mayor
City of St. Louis
William F. Siedhoff
Director
Department of Human Services
Antoinette D. Hayes-Triplett
Division Manager
Homeless Services Division
TABLE OF CONTENTS
HOPE IS MOVING IN
City of St. Louis, Missouri
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
BACKGROUND
A. City of St. Louis Continuum of Care for Ending Homelessness
B. American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009
HOPE IS MOVING IN INITIATIVE
HOMELESSNESS PREVENTION
A. Eligibility Requirements
B. Types of Services
C. Location for Services
D. Hours of Operation
E. How to get an appointment
F. What to bring to the appointment
RAPID RE-HOUSING
A. Eligibility Requirements
B. Types of Services
C. Location for Services
D. Hours of Operation
E. How to get an appointment
F. What to bring to the appointment
SUMMARY OF PROGRAM
TEN STEPS TO HOME
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
In May 2003, under the leadership of Mayor Francis G. Slay, the Department of Human Services’ Homeless Services Division in conjunction with the City of St. Louis Continuum of Care for Ending Homelessness embarked upon a lofty goal of developing a plan to end long term homelessness in the City of St. Louis.
This strategic journey began on May 2, 2003 when Mayor Slay convened the Mayor’s Summit on Ending Homelessness. The Summit was a gathering of over 150 service providers, advocates, clergy, representatives from the public and private sectors. The Summit’s purpose was to develop a realistic and workable plan of action designed to have an impact on ending homelessness in the City of St. Louis.
The next step on this journey occurred in February 2004 when Mayor Slay challenged neighboring counties to join the City in developing a Ten-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. St. Louis County Executive Charlie Dooley immediately stepped forward and on March 24, 2004, Mayor Slay and County Executive Dooley formally announced a partnership between the City and the County in developing a Ten-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness.
At the pinnacle of this journey, on August 10, 2005, the City and County released a joint Ten-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness. The purpose of the Ten-Year Plan is to create a new strategy based on national and local best practices, to reduce the suffering of citizens experiencing chronic homelessness.
This journey will be accelerate resulting from the receipt of $8.4 million in funding through of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009. In October 2009, the City of St. Louis took a giant leap in the battle of ending long term homelessness for families and individual residing on the streets and in emergency shelters for months and even years. On October 6, 2009, the City’s Homeless Services Division in conjunction with the City of St. Louis Continuum of Care for Ending Homelessness launched the Hope Is Moving In initiative.
The City of St. Louis looks forward to improving the lives of its residents by continuing the goals of the 10-Year Plan to End Homelessness and implementing the services outlined in the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act’s (ARRA) Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-housing Program.
BACKGROUND
City of St. Louis Continuum of Care for Ending Homelessness (St. Louis City CoC): The Department of Human Services (DHS) funds agencies based on comprehensive and collaborative service delivery systems that enhance the quality of life for citizens of the City of St. Louis. DHS’ responsibilities include funding and programming for five Divisions: Homeless Services, St. Louis Area Agency on Aging (SLAAA), Office on the Disabled, Youth & Family Services and Veterans Services.
The Homeless Services Division facilitates the local Continuum of Care (CoC) system, the City of St. Louis Continuum of Care for Ending Homelessness. The CoC’s strategy represents maximum participation of community-wide organizations and providers to meet the needs of homeless individuals and families as well as to identify gaps and priorities in the provision of services. Nearly, 70 agencies participate in developing the CoC strategy each year.
The Continuum of Care strategy embodies a comprehensive approach to the delivery of services. Its goals are: 1) to help participants obtain and remain in permanent housing, 2) to help participants increase skills and income allowing them to secure an income to live as independently as possible and 3) to help participants achieve greater self-determination, enabling them to transition out of homelessness.
American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009: Title XII of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, created funding for homelessness prevention, referred to by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) as the "Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP)". HPRP funds will provide temporary financial assistance and housing relocation and stabilization services to individuals and families who are homeless or would be homeless but for this assistance. Resources will be targeted and prioritized to serve households that are most in need of this temporary assistance and are most likely to achieve stable housing, whether subsidized or unsubsidized, outside of HPRP after the program concludes.
The funds are intended to target two populations of persons facing housing instability: 1) individuals and families who are currently in housing but are at risk of becoming homeless and need temporary rent or utility assistance to prevent them from becoming homeless or assistance to move to another unit (prevention), and 2) individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness (residing in emergency or transitional shelters or on the street) and need temporary assistance in order to obtain housing and retain it (rapid re-housing).
“HOPE IS MOVING IN” INITIATIVE
With the passage of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (ARRA) of 2009, the “Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program” (HPRP) was established. Congress appropriated $1.5 billion for this program allowing communities to provide financial assistance and services to either prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless or help those who are experiencing homelessness to be quickly re-housed and stabilized. Through these funds, the City of St. Louis received an allocation of $8.1 million from the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) and nearly $300,000 from the State’s Department of Social Services’ allocation, a total of $8.4 million.
As a result, the City of St. Louis is poised to take a giant leap forward in the battle of ending long term homelessness for families and individuals residing in emergency shelters or on the streets. The City, through the Department of Human Services, has developed a comprehensive plan to administer HPRP funding by partnering with the City of St. Louis Continuum of Care and the St. Louis Public Schools.
This new plan, titled “Hope Is Moving In”, was launched by Mayor Francis G. Slay and several other dignitaries in the rotunda of City Hall on October 6, 2009. “Hope Is Moving In” represents a new service delivery model requiring close collaboration between participating agencies and designed to provide easy access for those in need of help.
This new initiative builds on the success of the 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness, implemented in 2005. It combines the efforts of preventing homelessness, rapidly re-housing persons that become homeless, reducing barriers to securing housing, linking persons with needed resources and providing permanent supportive housing.
Central to “Hope Is Moving In” is the establishment of five hubs which will be located throughout the city where people can receive assistance. One hub will be located downtown at the Housing Resource Center, 800 N. Tucker, which will provide rapid re-housing services for homeless people. The other four hubs will provide services to prevent households from becoming homeless. The prevention hubs will be located within St. Louis Public Schools that are considered Community Education Full Service Schools (CEFSS). These schools currently provide a variety of education, health and cultural activities to the community and are ideally positioned to provide easy access to these new services.
ALL PARTICIPANTS MUST HAVE AN APPOINTMENT TO RECEIVE PREVENTION SERVICES. WALK-IN SERVICES ARE NOT AVAILABLE AT THE SCHOOLS.
All participants must have an appointment to receive prevention services. Walk-in services are not available at the schools.
Schools will begin providing services in November 2009.
• Sigel Elementary School, 2039 Russell Boulevard
Southeast Hub -- Serving Wards: 6, 7, 9, 11, 15, 20, and 25
Opening November 3, 2009
• Stevens Middle School, 1033 Whittier Street
Northwest Hub -- Serving Wards: 1, 17, 18, 22, 24, 26, and 28
Opening November 10, 2009
• Mullanphy Elementary School, 4221 Shaw Boulevard
Southwest Hub -- Serving Wards: 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, and 23
Opening November 17, 2009
• Clay Elementary School, 3820 North 14th Street
Northeast Hub -- Serving Wards: 2, 3, 4, 5, 19, 21, and 27
Opening November 24, 2009
Each of these hubs will have a case manager and an intake clerk. Additionally, the team of providers will include a hub coordinator, a benefit coordinator, a housing specialist, a housing inspector, legal professionals, and financial counselors. The City will also establish additional collaborations in each hub focusing on employment, mainstream services and other assistance needed to stabilize homeless and at-risk individuals and families. Each team member will be employees of existing agencies that currently provide similar services and have additional resources to assist program participants. Partnering agencies are:
• Catholic Charities Housing Resource Center • Municipal Information Systems
• Grace Hill Settlement House • Society of St. Vincent DePaul
• Human Development Corporation • SLATE
• Legal Services of Eastern Missouri • Urban League
• MERS Goodwill
The launch of this new initiative on October 6th afforded persons experiencing homelessness an opportunity to meet in the City Hall rotunda with homeless service and housing providers. Over 200 homeless persons were assessed and immediate steps were initiated to assist them in removing housing barriers in an effort to secure stable housing.
While the City has had great success in reducing homelessness, this new funding source will accelerate those efforts dramatically allowing the City to house many more of the remaining homeless people in the city. The City has experienced a 30% reduction in homelessness in the last three years and now ranks as having one of the lowest percentages of homeless people of any major city in the country.
“HOPE IS MOVING IN” INITIATIVE
Homelessness Prevention
IMPORTANT: HPRP funds will provide temporary services to individuals and families who are homeless or would be homeless but for this assistance. Resources will be targeted and prioritized to serve households that are most in need of this temporary assistance and are most likely to achieve stable housing after the HPRP program concludes. There are many people who are housed and have additional needs, but would not become homeless if they did not receive HPRP assistance. In some cases, the household may need more intensive supportive services or long-term assistance, or the household is not at risk of homelessness, providers will work to link them to other appropriate available resources and assistance.
Assistance may be terminated if a participant violates program requirements. In terminating assistance to a participant, the agency must provide a formal process that recognizes the rights of individuals. This process, at a minimum, must consist of: (1) written notice to the participant containing a clear statement of the reasons for termination; (2) a review of the decision, in which the participant is given the opportunity to present written or oral objections before a person other than the person (or a subordinate of that person) who made or approved the termination decision; and (3) prompt written notice of the final decision to the participant.
Eligibility Requirements:
All program participants must at least meet the following minimum criteria:
1. Must be a City resident (ie: the last room, house or apartment you stayed in for 90 days or more must be within the City)
2. Any individual or family must have at least an initial consultation with a case manager who can determine the appropriate type of assistance to meet their needs.
3. All participants are required to re-certify their eligibility at least once every 3 months to remain in the program.
4. The household must be at or below 50 percent of Area Median Income (AMI).
5. The household must be at risk of losing its housing and meet both of the following circumstances: (1) no appropriate subsequent housing options have been identified; AND (2) the household lacks the financial resources and support networks needed to obtain immediate housing or remain in its existing housing.
6. Must agree to attend a mandatory workshop (financial, legal, employment, benefits) and have a housing inspection.
Types of Services:
HPRP assistance is not intended to provide long-term support for participants, nor will it be able to address all of the financial and supportive services needs of households. Rather, assistance should be focused on housing stabilization, linking program participants to community resources and mainstream benefits, and helping them develop a plan for preventing future housing instability. Participants are eligible for two types of assistance: financial assistance and housing relocation and stabilization assistance.
1. Financial Assistance. Payments must not be made directly to participants, but only to third parties, such as landlords or utility companies. In addition, an assisted property may not be owned by the grantee, or the parent, subsidiary or affiliated organization of the grantee.
a. Rental Assistance: Tenant-based rental assistance that can be used to allow individuals and families to remain in their existing rental units or to help them obtain and remain in rental units they select.
b. Utility deposits: Payment for utility deposits, if the participant is required to obtain a new rental unit.
c. Utility payments: Payment for gas, electric, and water including utility payments in arrears, provided that the program participant or a member of his/her household has an account in his/her name with a utility company.
d. Moving cost assistance. Funds may be used for reasonable moving costs, such as truck rental, hiring a moving company, or short-term storage fees for a maximum of 2 months.
2. Housing Relocation and Stabilization Services. HPRP funds may be used for services that assist program participants with housing stability and placement. These services are limited to the following eligible activities:
a. Case management: Services and activities may include: counseling; developing, securing, and coordinating services; monitoring and evaluating program participant progress; assuring that program participants’ rights are protected; and developing an individualized housing and service plan, including a path to permanent housing stability.
b. Housing search and placement: Services or activities designed to assist individuals or families in locating, obtaining, and retaining suitable housing. Component services or activities may include: tenant counseling; assisting individuals and families to understand leases; securing utilities; making moving arrangements; representative payee services concerning rent and utilities; and mediation and outreach to property owners related to locating or retaining housing.
c. Legal services. Services to help people stay in their homes, such as services or activities provided by a lawyer or other person(s) under the supervision of a lawyer to assist program participants with legal advice and representation in administrative or court proceedings related to tenant/landlord matters or housing issues. Legal services related to mortgages are not eligible.
d. Credit repair. Services that are targeted to assist program participants with critical skills related to household budgeting, money management, accessing a free personal credit report, and resolving personal credit issues.
Ineligible and Prohibited Activities
Financial assistance or services to pay for expenses that are available through other Recovery Act programs, are not eligible. Case managers will work to link program participants to these other resources.
•Child care
•Food
•Construction or rehabilitation
•Medical or dental care and medicines
•Credit card bills or other consumer debt
•Work or education related materials
•Car repair or other transportation costs
•Cash assistance to participants.
•Mortgage costs or any fees, taxes, or other costs of refinancing a mortgage
•Travel costs
Location for Services:
Everyone must have an appointment to receive prevention services. Walk-in services are not available.
•Sigel Elementary School, 2039 Russell - Serving Wards: 6, 7, 9, 11, 15, 20, and 25
•Stevens Middle School, 1033 Whittier - Serving Wards: 1, 17, 18, 22, 24, 26, and 28
•Mullanphy Elementary School, 4221 Shaw - Serving Wards: 8, 10, 12, 13, 14, 16, and 23
•Clay Elementary School, 3820 North 14th: - Serving Wards: 2, 3, 4, 5, 19, 21, and 27
Hours of Operation:
•Monday, Wednesday and Friday: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
•Tuesday and Thursday: 11:00 am – 7:30 pm
How to get an Appointment:
Residents seeking assistance have three methods of scheduling an appointment:
•Internet: www.hopeismovingin.com
•24-hour Automated Toll Free Number: 1-877-70-HOPE4 or 1-877-35-HOPE4
•Live person during hours of operation: 314-657-1705.
What to bring to the Appointment
•Income verification: (pay stubs; TANF; unemployment; disability, etc.) •Utility bills: (gas, electric)
•Proof of housing crisis: (eviction notice, hotel receipts, etc.) •Social Security card
•Verification of address: (lease, bills, school records, etc.)
•Photo ID
•Assets: (bank account statements, etc.)
•DD 214 (Veterans)
“HOPE IS MOVING IN” INITIATIVE
Rapid Re-Housing
IMPORTANT: HPRP funds will provide temporary services to individuals and families who are homeless or would be homeless but for this assistance. Resources will be targeted and prioritized to serve households that are most in need of this temporary assistance and are most likely to achieve stable housing after the HPRP program concludes. There are many people who are housed and have additional needs, but would not become homeless if they did not receive HPRP assistance. In some cases, the household may need more intensive supportive services or long-term assistance, or the household is not at risk of homelessness, providers will work to link them to other appropriate available resources and assistance.
Assistance may be terminated if a participant violates program requirements. In terminating assistance to a participant, the agency must provide a formal process that recognizes the rights of individuals. This process, at a minimum, must consist of: (1) written notice to the participant containing a clear statement of the reasons for termination; (2) a review of the decision, in which the participant is given the opportunity to present written or oral objections before a person other than the person (or a subordinate of that person) who made or approved the termination decision; and (3) prompt written notice of the final decision to the participant.
Eligibility Requirements: All program participants must at least meet the following minimum criteria:
1. Must be a City resident (ie: the last room, house or apartment you stayed in for 90 days or more must be within the City)
2. Any individual or family must have at least an initial consultation with a case manager who can determine the appropriate type of assistance to meet their needs.
3. All participants are required to re-certify their eligibility at least once every 3 months to remain in the program.
4. The household must be at or below 50 percent of Area Median Income (AMI).
5. The household must be at risk of losing its housing and meet both of the following circumstances: (1) no appropriate subsequent housing options have been identified; AND (2) the household lacks the financial resources and support networks needed to obtain immediate housing or remain in its existing housing.
6. Must agree to attend a mandatory workshop (financial, legal, employment, benefits) and have a housing inspection.
Types of Services: HPRP assistance is not intended to provide long-term support for participants, nor will it be able to address all of the financial and supportive services needs of households. Rather, assistance should be focused on housing stabilization, linking program participants to community resources and mainstream benefits, and helping them develop a plan for preventing future housing instability. Participants are eligible for two types of assistance: financial assistances and housing relocation and stabilization assistance.
1. Financial Assistance. Payments must not be made directly to participants, but only to third parties, such as landlords or utility companies. In addition, an assisted property may not be owned by the grantee, or the parent, subsidiary or affiliated organization of the grantee.
a. Rental Assistance: Tenant-based rental assistance that can be used to allow individuals and families to remain in their existing rental units or to help them obtain and remain in rental units they select.
b. Utility deposits: Payment for utility deposits, if the participant is required to obtain a new rental unit.
c. Utility payments: Payment for gas, electric, and water including utility payments in arrears, provided that the program participant or a member of his/her household has an account in his/her name with a utility company.
d. Moving cost assistance. Funds may be used for reasonable moving costs, such as truck rental, hiring a moving company, or short-term storage fees for a maximum of 2 months.
2. Housing Relocation and Stabilization Services. HPRP funds may be used for services that assist program participants with housing stability and placement. These services are limited to the following eligible activities:
a. Case management: Services and activities may include: counseling; developing, securing, and coordinating services; monitoring and evaluating program participant progress; assuring that program participants’ rights are protected; and developing an individualized housing and service plan, including a path to permanent housing stability.
b. Housing search and placement: Services or activities designed to assist individuals or families in locating, obtaining, and retaining suitable housing. Component services or activities may include: tenant counseling; assisting individuals and families to understand leases; securing utilities; making moving arrangements; representative payee services concerning rent and utilities; and mediation and outreach to property owners related to locating or retaining housing.
c. Legal services. Services to help people stay in their homes, such as services or activities provided by a lawyer or other person(s) under the supervision of a lawyer to assist program participants with legal advice and representation in administrative or court proceedings related to tenant/landlord matters or housing issues. Legal services related to mortgages are not eligible.
d. Credit repair. Services that are targeted to assist program participants with critical skills related to household budgeting, money management, accessing a free personal credit report, and resolving personal credit issues.
Ineligible and Prohibited Activities
Financial assistance or services to pay for expenses that are available through other Recovery Act programs, are not eligible. Case managers will work to link program participants to these other resources.
• Child care
• Food
• Construction or rehabilitation
• Medical or dental care and medicines
• Credit card bills or other consumer debt
• Work or education related materials
• Car repair or other transportation costs
• Cash assistance to participants.
• Mortgage costs or any fees, taxes, or
other costs of refinancing a mortgage
• Travel costs
Location for Services:
Catholic Charities Housing Resource Center (HRC)
800 North Tucker
Hours of Operation:
Monday - Friday: 8:00 am – 4:30 pm
How to get an Appointment:
Walk-in: 800 North Tucker
Call during hours of operation: 314-802-5444
What to bring to the Appointment
• Income verification: (pay stubs; TANF; unemployment; disability, etc.)
• Utility bills: (gas, electric)
• Proof of housing crisis: (shelter letter, eviction notice, hotel receipt, etc.)
• Social Security card
• Verification of address: (lease, bills, school records, etc.) • Photo ID
• Assets: (bank account statements, etc.)
• DD 214 (Veterans)
SUMMARY OF PROGRAM
IMPORTANT: “Hope Is Moving In” provides temporary services to households who are homeless or would be homeless but for this assistance. Resources will be targeted and prioritized to households that are most in need of temporary assistance and are most likely to achieve stable housing after the program concludes. There are many people who are housed and have additional needs, but would not become homeless if they did not receive HPRP assistance. In some cases, the household may need more intensive supportive services or long-term assistance, or the household is not at risk of homelessness, providers will work to link them to other appropriate available resources and assistance. Assistance may be terminated if participant violates program requirements. In terminating assistance to a participant, the agency must provide a formal process that recognizes the rights of individuals. This process, at a minimum, must consist of: (1) written notice to the participant containing a clear statement of the reasons for termination; (2) a review of the decision, in which the participant is given the opportunity to present written or oral objections before a person other than the person (or a subordinate of that person) who made or approved the termination decision; and (3) prompt written notice of the final decision to the participant.
HOPE IS MOVING IN -- TEN STEPS TO HOME
The “Hope Is Moving In” initiative merges the goals and efforts of the 10-Year Plan to End Chronic Homelessness and the goals of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA). When completed, the combined goals, the “Ten Steps To Home”, will significantly impact the lives of families and individual at risk of becoming homeless due to the economic crisis and those residing on the streets and in emergency shelters.
STEP 1 - Permanent Supportive Housing: As outlined in the 10-Year Plan, the City is committed to providing 500 units of Permanent Supportive housing by 2015.
STEP 2 - Safe Havens: As outlined in the 10-Year Plan, the City is committed to establishing four Safe Havens by 2015.
STEP 3 - Assertive Community Treatment (ACT) Teams: As outlined in the 10-Year Plan, the City is committed to providing eight ACT teams by 2015.
STEP 4 - Homeless Prevention: As a result of ARRA, the City is committed to providing homeless prevention assistance to 3,000 households (affecting 10,000 residents) by 2012.
STEP 5 - Rapid Re-housing: As a result of the ARRA, the City is committed to providing rapid re-housing assistance to 350 households (affecting 1,000 residents) by 2012.
STEP 6 - Credit Repair Assistance/Workshop: As a result of the ARRA, the City is committed to providing credit repair assistance to 3,000 households (affecting 10,000 residents) by 2012.
STEP 7 - Legal Assistance/Workshop: As a result of the ARRA, the City is committed to providing legal assistance to 3,000 households (affecting 10,000 residents) by 2012.
STEP 8 - Mainstream Benefit Services: As a result of the ARRA, the City is committed to providing linkages to mainstream benefit services to 500 households (affecting 1,500 residents) by 2012.
STEP 9 - Community Awareness and Outreach Services: As a result of the ARRA, the City has committed to providing community awareness and outreach services to 10,000 residents by 2012.
STEP 10 - Employment Assistance/Workshop: In coordination with the City’s St. Louis Area Training and Employment Agency (SLATE), 3,000 residents will receive training and employment services. |
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