HPAT
How often can the HPAT be taken?
Once a year
Can HPS help with other expenses that are not rent/deposit/mortgage?
Please explain and give examples.
Yes, can also help with other expenses that can be tied to the household’s housing stability plan
-car registration
-security guard training
-work uniform
-work exams
Do households need a SSN or immigration status to qualify for HPS?
No information about immigration status will be collected; citizenship or legal residency is not required for eligibility.
What are some alternatives if a parent cannot find their child's birth certificate?
-Government ID
-Passport
-School transcript
-Immunization record
How can a non eligible HPS household be connected to the Law Foundation?
Staff can share the following information with them:
WALK-IN HOURS: Emergencies only (i.e. Unlawful Detainers, Sheriff Notice, and Illegal Lockouts)
Every Thursday from 1pm until appointments are full
PHONE INTAKE HOURS: This call line is dedicated non-urgent legal advice on housing matters.
Mondays 9 AM - 11:30 AM
Is case management a requirement of HPS?
No, households are strongly encouraged to participate in case management but it is not required to receive financial assistance.
Clients are expected to actively and consistently communicate with their case manager. Households that need multi month assistance are required to communicate with their case manager at least once a month to share updates and progress on their housing stability plan.
What are the HPS eligibility guidelines?
*Hint there are 4 *
When is gross income and net income used?
Gross income = total income before taxes, used to verify income eligibility.
Net income = total income after taxes, used for budgeting and determining client’s rent contribution.
How many partner agencies are part of the HPS network, including law partner(s)?
Name three key points that should be provided to the person being screened prior to conducting the HPAT assessment?
-Explain WHY you are conducting the survey
-Some questions are very personal
-Only Yes/No or one word answers are required
- You can skip or refuse to answer any question
-Answer all of the questions as honestly and accurately as possible
- Information that you share will not be used to disqualify you from any other services at this agency.
-The information will be stored in HMIS.
-Please answer the questions on behalf of yourself and all members of your family who live with you
What are some helpful points to include in your explanation of what HPS is to an eligible household ?
-Nature of the program
-What HPS may assist with
-Financial assistance is not guaranteed
-Who payment is typically made out to
-The landlord is contacted to confirm arrears and payee information
-Household engagement
Scenario: An active HPS household contacts you seeking further assistance. How would you proceed?
Refer them back to their CM. If the client they have had trouble reaching their CM we suggest you reach out to the CM/agency directly to notify them.
How can a household obtain a copy of their CalWorks benefits letter?
-Can create an online profile on BenefitsCal
-Visit the benefits office
-Contacting their caseworker
Who is the newest HPS partner?
Roots
Founded in Oakland, California, the mission of Roots Community Health is to uplift those impacted by systemic inequities and poverty. We accomplish this through medical and behavioral health care, health navigation, workforce enterprises, housing, outreach, and advocacy.
When can the HPAT be retaken?
-It has been one year since they took the HPAT
-If the household experiences a life event or change in circumstances that substantially impacts their vulnerability.
This may include, but is not limited to, a significant change in:
- Health or disabling condition
-Ability to care for oneself or dependents
-Family composition
-Exposure to imminent danger or risk of severe physical harm
What year was HPS founded?
In 2017, Destination: Home helped launch the Homelessness Prevention System to build a solution that stops the cycle of homelessness before it even begins.
What are some examples of how HPS can be flexible to assist households in sublease situations?
-accept a combination of different documents if can't provide a traditional lease and sublease agreement
-pay the client's bills so they can use the money they were going to use for the bills towards rent
-pay the main tenant's bills
-cut the check to the owner without the name of the client
-with a NCT exception and if no other options work, make the check payable to the client or the main tenant
What should you be looking for when reviewing documentation?
-Names and HH info is correct in IDs & bills (also check for alterations); this excludes change in gender identity, relationship status, immigration.
-Dates of income documentation
-Discrepancies across all copies of submitted leases. For example, differing rent amounts, doctored content, white out or crossed out info. Whether additional tenants, outside of those enrolled in the program, are listed in the lease.
-Accuracy between lease, ledger, W-9 and any other documentation from LL. For example, rent amount, late fees, and other listed fees match and are accurate.
What are the steps to refer a HPS eligible household to the Law Foundation?
Complete the Online Referral Form
Complete the LFSV ROI with household and upload to the online referral form
Please select "URGENT" on referral form if the household already has a sheriff's notice or unlawful detainer. If they have a detainer, include the date it was received too
LFSV will reach out to the client, but if they are having troubles connecting with them then they will reach out to the HPS staff member that sent the referral
The countywide housing assistance program takes into account all of the factors of your current housing situation and financial situation from your responses to the form we just filled out. Based on that form, unfortunately today you do not meet the requirements for financial assistance. However, you did mention that…. so I have this resource for you. Would you like their contact information?
Who are HPS' funders?
Destination Home and the County of Santa Clara
Scenario: An adult child is part of the household that is applying. They make their own income but do not pay their own portion of rent. Do we need to collect their documentation?
Yes, we need to collect their documentation (ID, income) because it is a program requirement for us to have income information for all adults in a household. Their expenses should be included in the household budget.
If they decline to submit the paperwork staff we could consider them a roommate but they would have to cover their own portion of the rent, a conversation the CM would have with the household. Staff is welcome to reach out to NCT for further questions.
Scenario: A household is applying for HPS after being unemployed for 3 months. They have just completed one month at their new, high paying job. When calculating their AMI based off their income from the last 30 days you discover they are over AMI. What would you do?
Request and average income from last 3 months. Use the average to calculate annual salary.
If they qualify, clearly document this method was used and note household had recent income increase but still owe arrears from before.
After one year of exiting HPS, what percentage of households remained housed?
95%