Funded by the State of California through the Emergency Solutions Grant, this project will address the needs of households who are struggling with homelessness to help them back into housing.

Families/individuals who lost their housing may be able to receive short term help with their rent to enable them to move in to new housing if they are homeless.

Eligibility requirements include:

1. Rapid re-housing funding and stabilization services will be available to eligible households who are literally homeless to help them move into permanent housing and achieve housing stability.
2. Current household income must be 30% of Nevada County Median or less at the time of the annual evaluation. .
3. Families/individuals must have a reasonable plan that will enable them to keep their housing long term.
4. Must lack sufficient resources and support networks necessary to retain housing without assistance from the Rapid Re-Housing program.

Families/individuals who meet the guidelines may receive assistance with:

• Short Term Rental Assistance (0-3 months)
• Medium Term Rental Assistance (4-18 months)
• Security Deposits
• Utility Deposits and Payments
• Moving Costs
• Legal services necessary to resolve a legal problem that prohibits participant from obtaining or maintaining permanent housing
• Credit repair
• Support in developing a housing stabilization plan that may include: budgeting, linkage to resources, housing search support and related assistance as appropriate to the family situation

In order to receive rental assistance, the following rules apply:

1. Rental assistance cannot be provided for a unit unless the rent for that unit is at or below the Fair Market Rent limit, established by HUD.
2. The rent charged for a unit must be reasonable in relation to rents currently being charged for comparable units in the private unassisted market and must not be in excess of rents currently being charged by the owner for comparable unassisted units. See 24 CFR 574.320.
3. The rental unit must meet minimum habitability standards found at 24 CFR 576.403.
4. There must be a rental assistance agreement and lease between property manager and tenant as well as the owner of property and ESG sub-recipient.
5. No rental assistance may be made to an individual or family that is receiving rental assistance from another public source for the same time period, and
6. Rental assistance may not be provided to a participant who is currently receiving replacement housing payments under Uniform Relocation Assistance.
7. Participant will be evaluated by case manager not less than once annually for eligibility and the type and amount of assistance the participant needs.
8. Participant will also be evaluated by case manager when the participant’s income or other circumstances change that affects the participants need for Rapid Re-Housing assistance.
9. To remain eligible for assistance the participant must lack sufficient resources and support networks necessary to retain housing without assistance from the Rapid Re-Housing program.
10. Failure to meet eligibility criteria, follow individual housing plan; including attending scheduled meetings with case managers may result in termination from the Rapid Re-Housing program.
11. Case manager will provide clear guidelines and expectations in writing and in interviews with the program participant in order to help the participant maintain eligibility to the program.
12. Upon termination, participants will be given written notice stating reasons for termination from the program and appeal process.

For more information on this program, Please contact Hospitality House at (530) 271-7144 and ask to speak to a housing case manager.