Program Description

The HOME Tenant-Based Assistance (HOME TBA) Program assists low-income persons in obtaining and maintaining safe and affordable housing.  Most recipients are on the waiting list for Section 8 housing assistance vouchers.      Approved households pay approximately 30% of their income towards rent and utilities; the Home TBA Program pays the difference, in   addition to refundable security     deposits.  Households are required to meet with a Case Manager on an ongoing basis and make progress in their goals and plans for self-sufficiency.  Approved applicants are funded for an initial 6-month period, although assistance may be extended for up to 24 months.  Funds are also available for refundable security deposits (up to $500 per unit).

Eligibility

Participation guidelines are established by the federal government and include the following standards:

• The applicant must be at or below very low-income (anticipated annual gross income cannot exceed 50% of the area median income).
• The proposed rental unit must be within the area Fair Market Rent guidelines.
• The proposed rental unit must pass the Housing Quality Standards Inspection.
• The landlord must agree to accept both the HOME TBA Program and a Section 8 lease agreement if the applicant intends to get a Section 8 voucher for that rental unit.

Types of Assistance

The HOME TBA Program will pay for current or future rent and refundable security deposits.  The program cannot pay for rental arrearages.  In some instances, an applicant’s income may be low enough to receive a small utility subsidy as well.        

Procedure

Upon notification of Home TBA Program dollars, YCAP will publicize a date and time for interested households to apply for assistance.  New applicants will complete an intake and a Housing Readiness Assessment with a qualified staff person.  Applicants are ranked and placed on a waiting list, based on the current fiscal year Tenant Selection Policy, which includes the Housing Readiness     Assessment rating and demographic criteria (examples include: current Home TBA clients, disabled head-of-household, domestic violence victims, and house fire victims).  The number of households selected for assistance depends on the amount of the funding allocation.  Generally, the demand for rental assistance is far greater than the available funding.

Upon determination and verification of eligibility, applicants are issued rental assistance coupons to be signed by a prospective landlord.  Once a rental unit is secured, an HQS inspection of the rental unit will be conducted.  If the unit passes, the landlord and client will be asked to execute a rental contract and lease.  Final paperwork is forwarded on to the Oregon Housing & Community Services Department (OHCSD) who approves and releases funds for the program.  This final   process typically takes 30 days, therefore payments to the landlord will   begin within 30 days of the execution of the contract.