Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program

Background

As a part of the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act (or the “stimulus package”), the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) was charged with administering just over one billion dollars in new funding for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP).  In Connecticut, a total of just over $17 million of that funding was awarded by HUD to the State of Connecticut’s Department of Social Services (DSS) and to five entitlement communities (Bridgeport, Hartford, New Britain, New Haven, and Waterbury).

A one- time opportunity exists to address an escalating crisis as families and individuals turn to an already overcrowded emergency shelter system. We can create lasting change by implementing a housing based, not a shelter based, intervention for those facing a catastrophic housing and economic crisis in CT. The following are a list of town’s in which a person must reside in or are seeking to relocate to if applying for HPRP in Region II: Branford, East Haven, Guilford, Hamden, Madison, New Haven, North Branford, North Haven and West Haven.  For information regarding CT towns not listed please contact 2-1-1 Info Line to be directed to the appropriate agency.

CT Region II Agencies/Populations Served:

Columbus House, Inc.

Lead Region II State Agency: Individuals and couples without children.

Phone: 203-401-4400

New Haven Home Recovery

Lead Region II City Agency: Families with children.

Phone: 203-492-4866                        Fax: 203-503-0067

TEAM, Inc.: Serves individuals and families in: Bethany, Seymour, Woodbridge, Ansonia, Derby, Shelton, Orange and Milford.

Phone:  203-736-5420

Liberty Community Services.: Serves individuals and families in New Haven with prevention in place.

Phone:  203-495-7600

Community Mediation, Inc.: Serves individuals and families in New Haven providing help with security deposit funds.

Phone:  203-495-7600

HPRP Basics

NHHR serves families who are at imminent risk of homelessness, or who are literally homeless. Applicants must meet income requirements to be eligible for financial assistance. Eligible families must also show they are able to maintain their housing (financially) if assisted through HPRP. This is not an entitlement program; it is a financial assistance program. Examples of assistance that may be provided include:

Financial Assistance

• Rental assistance, including back rent
• Security and utility deposits
• Assistance with utility payments, including utility arrearages
• Moving cost assistance (not furnishings)

General Assistance

• Referrals to other agencies/shelters when appropriate.
• Legal services to assist appropriate person’s to stay in their housing (not assistance with mortgages)

Populations to be Served
Programs will target people who would be homeless "but for this assistance."

• Rapid Re-Housing: Includes people who are literally homeless (ex: living in a shelter, a motel, a car, etc.) who require more permanent housing.

• Prevention with Re-location:  Includes people who are at imminent risk of becoming homeless (ex: notice to quit, in the process of an eviction, institutional discharge, housing has been condemned, etc.), who are unable to repair their current housing situation and will need to relocate.

• Prevention In Place: This includes people who are at risk of becoming homeless (ex: behind on rent, temporary loss of income, etc.), but who intend to stay in their current housing situation.  

Region II Eligibility Requirements:

• Less than 50% Area Median Income
• Current rent/new rent does not exceed 60% of total monthly gross income
• Live or want to live in towns listed in Region II
• Must be financially able to sustain housing
• Must be in the eviction process, in the shelter system, or living in a place not meant for human habitation

Application Process:
For additional information regarding the state of Connecticut HPRP, contact 2-1-1 Info line or http://www.infoline.org/ 2-1-1 Info line will be able to assist you with beginning the HPRP process.  If determined HPRP application eligible 2-1-1 info line will make a direct referral to the corresponding HPRP Agency. 

For additional information regarding NHHR or its services please call 203-492-4866.  At this time no Walk-Ins will be accepted for HPRP services.

The Need for HPRP

According to the National Center on Family Homelessness' Stat Report Card, the minium wage in CT is $8.25. The average wage for renters is $16.53, but the hourly wage needed to afford a two-bedroom apartment is $21.11. That means someone working full-time at minimum wage earns only 39% of what is needed to afford the average two-bedroom apartment.

85% of the people waiting for Section 8 are considered extremely low income. 55% of the people waiting for Public Housing are also extremely low income.

Community Partners

Success Stories

Click here to read HPRP success stories!