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What is a S.M.A.R.T. landlord?
Understanding Rapid Rehousing
What is it? This is an intervention designed to help individuals and families quickly exit homelessness, return to housing in the community, and not become homeless again in the near term. RRH provides short-term rental assistance and services.
What is the criteria? It is offered without preconditions (such as employment, income, absence of criminal record, or sobriety) and the resources and services provided are typically tailored to the needs of the person.
What are the core components? Housing identification, move-in and rental assistance, and rapid re-housing case management and services.
What do these core components represent? The minimum that a program must provide to be considered a rapid re-housing program, but do not fully describe what constitutes an effective rapid re-housing program.
Understanding Section-8
What is it? Also known as Housing Choice Voucher. This federal government program assists very-low income families, the elderly, and disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market.
How does it work? The participant is free to choose any housing that meets the requirements of the program and is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects. A family that is issued a housing voucher is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family's choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family's present residence. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety, as determined by the PHA.
A housing subsidy is paid to the landlord directly by the PHA on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program. Under certain circumstances, if authorized by the PHA, a family may use its voucher to purchase a modest home.
Where are HC Vouchers administered? They are administered locally by public housing agencies (PHAs). The PHAs receive federal funds from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to administer the voucher program.
Understanding VASH
What is it? Also known as Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing. This program assists homeless veterans and their families afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing through the distribution of housing vouchers. Beneficiaries are selected based on certain requirements including health care eligibility, homelessness status, and income. Chronically homeless veterans are a target population for HUD-VASH.
What are the requirements? Homeless veterans and their families receiving HUD-VASH rental assistance must receive VA case management services until the VAMC determines that it is no longer necessary.
How does it work? HUD-VASH vouchers may be used to provide rental assistance to eligible homeless veterans and their families. Vouchers are generally tenant-based. However, on a case-by-case basis, project-based vouchers may be used.
Understanding SSP
What is it? Also known as State Supplement Program. This provides state-funded financial assistance to aged, blind and disabled individuals and is part of the monthly benefit paid to most Supplemental Security Income (SSI) recipients.
How do I apply? You must submit an application for federal SSI benefits to the Social Security Administration (SSA). This serves as your application for SSP benefits. SSA shares this information with New York State, who will determine your eligibility for SSP benefits. There is no online SSI Application. Please schedule an appointment with a local Social Security office to file an application.
Am I eligible?
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You are an adult who is age 65+; or are blind or disabled; or are a child under the age of 18 who has a physical or mental impairment; &
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Reside in New York State; &
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Have limited income and resources; &
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Are a citizen or a qualified alien, or otherwise meet citizenship requirements.
What are the benefits?
Monthly benefit amounts vary depending on a variety of factors including:
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living arrangements,
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income; and
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county of residence.
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