Program Objectives:

• Provide homelessness prevention services that assist clients to maintain affordable housing.
• Help people experiencing homelessness find refuge and care.
• Assist people experiencing homelessness or near homelessness in attaining economic self-sufficiency.

Overview:

Homeless Assistance Caseworkers assist people who are Homeless or Near Homeless providing both prevention and intervention services to meet basic needs in the immediate or near future.

Definition of Homeless for this program

Individuals and families are Homeless if they:

• Reside in a group shelter; domestic violence shelter; hotel or motel paid with public or charitable funds; a mental health, drug, or alcohol facility; jail; halfway house; or hospital with no place to reside; or living in a home but due to domestic violence, needs a safe place to reside.
• Have received verification that they are facing foster care placement of their children solely because of lack of adequate housing, or need housing to allow reunification with children who are in foster care placement.
• Live in a “doubled-up” arrangement for six months or less on a temporary basis due to an emergency.
• Live in a condemned building.
• Live in housing in which the physical environment presents life and/or health threatening conditions (e.g. dangerous structural defects, lacks plumbing, heat or utilities).
• Live on the streets, in cars, doorways, etc.

Definition of Near-Homeless

Individuals and families are Near-Homeless if:

• Residence will be lost within 14 days of the date of application for homeless assistance.
• No subsequent residence has been identified.
• The individual or family lacks the resources or support networks needed to obtain other permanent housing.
• They are in the process of evictions through the court system.
• They possess a Notice to Quit or Court Eviction Notification.

Case Management

This service is designed to assist you in identifying your needs and the reasons why you became homeless or near homeless. The focus of Case Management is to provide you with the tools and skills that you need to promote self-sufficiency. Services include budgeting, life skills, job preparation, home management and referrals to local services, if necessary.

Rental Assistance

If you are in danger of being evicted from your apartment or home, your county may be able to assist you with payments for rent or security deposits. One of our Case Managers will work hard with your landlord to maximize your chances for staying in your apartment or home, or work with you to find a more affordable apartment. HAP can also be used to move you out of shelter into an affordable apartment. 

Emergency Shelter

For information on Emergency Shelters please call 211 and ask for Coordinated Entry. 

Eligibility Guidelines 

• Must be a Cumberland County resident with proof of 30 days of residency.
• Must be a US Citizen, US Non-citizen national, or "qualified alien".
• Must find your own property.
• Must have the property and a lease to work with this program. 
• Without readily accessible resources sufficient to resolve housing crisis.

Financial Eligibility

1. All persons must meet the Financial Eligibility limits (see table below).
2.  Household must have adequate permanent income and demonstrate the ability to maintain rent and sustain their basic needs.
3. Temp agency employees must be steadily employed for 12 months.
4.  Household will be required to pay a percentage of initial costs.
5.  Qualified persons moving into subsidized housing are only eligible for one-time assistance with security deposit or first month's rent.
6. Note: We do not pay court costs, pet fees, late fees or utilities.

Cumberland County Human Services Plans 2019-20