The new and improved HOPWA Program Manual

1. The new and improved HOPWA Program Manual

2. Highlights • Income Eligibility Packet • Client Enrollment Packet • Spanish versions of forms • Rent Reasonableness Certification • Section 8 Waiver • STRMU 21-week Tracking Worksheet • Permanent Housing Placement

3. Client Eligibility • ALL clients must be income eligible: annual gross income cannot exceed 80% of area median income • STRMU clients must already be in housing and are required to show evidence of tenancy.

4. STRMU • Evidence of emergency situation • Clients must be recertified each time but initial application may be photocopied, resigned and dated • Maximum 1 month of assistance at a time • New STRMU worksheet • 21-week Tracking worksheet • Client Eligibility period is 52 weeks from date of first payment for each client • Annual STRMU Cap formula • Require self-certification of Housing Quality Standards • Housing Quality Standards ALL STRMU clients require a Comprehensive Housing Plan

5. TBRA • Rent Reasonableness certification • Rent payment cannot exceed the FMR, includes rent and utilities • Comprehensive Housing Plan, including tracking referrals

6. Supportive Services • Case Management, basic telephone service, and smoke detectors • Smoke detectors only to those w/ a mortgage • Can also provide Supportive Services as a stand alone service (Supportive Services Only)

7. Permanent Housing Placement (PHP) • Reasonable security deposits (not to exceed the amount equal to 2 months of rent); includes all types of security deposits (rent, utility, telephone) • Related application fees and credit checks • Refunded deposits must be returned to the program

8. PHP Application Process • Submit PHP application to HIVSTDReports.tech@dshs.state.tx.us • Receive TA from DSHS Contract Oversight Support Unit • Get final approval from DSHS • Submit revised Project Sponsor Data Sheet • Start application now for February 1 project year

9. Reporting • Reports quarterly and cumulative • HUD’s revised reporting requirements next year • Project Sponsor Data Sheets due at contract negotiation but no later than February 1 of project year. • Project Sponsor Data Sheets must be resubmitted each time HOPWA budget is revised via HIVSTDReports.tech@dshs.state.tx.us • Submit goals for number of households for each program activity (STRMU, TBRA, SS, PHP)

10. Policies established by Project Sponsor and approved by AA • Confidentiality • Waitlist • Restrictive TBRA/STRMU eligibility criteria • Annual STRMU cap formula • Termination • Grace Period • Assistance to Survivors

11. Schedule of HOPWA TA calls • Beginning in December, have a series of HOPWA TA calls with AA and Project Sponsors • 1 HOPWA TA session a week by topic via Web Seminar

12. HOPWA TA Schedule • Tuesdays 10-11am • December 4, 11, 18 • January 8, 15, 22, 29 • All Regional DSHS staff, AAs, and Project Sponsors invited

13. What now? • DSHS will send out communication about release of HOPWA Program Manual (Effective 02/01/08) • AAs distribute information to Project Sponsors • Review HOPWA Program Manual posted on website www.dshs.state.tx.us/hivstd/hopwa/default • Submit questions and topics for HOPWA TA sessions to HIVSTDReports.tech@dshs.state.tx.us by November 30, 2007