A look at the program . . .   This program is designed to assist working families with case management services, rental and utility support, along with referrals to employment, credit counseling and other community services as families work towards economic self sufficiency.

Do I qualify? What does the program provide? How do I apply? What if I'm not eligible for this program?

 

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Do I qualify? - Eligibility Flyer

To qualify, your household must meet the following criteria:

 

• Meet identity, residency, age, income and citizenship requirements. 
• A single parent with sole or joint custody of their minor children or a married couple with children, or an unmarried couple who share children.
• Applicant must be employed in a permanent position at least 25 hours per week (or 20 if in school) and have income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level.
• Applicant must be homeless.

 

Household Size Annual Income @ 150% 1 $18,090 2 $24,360 3 $30,630 4 $36,900 5 $43,170 6 $49,440 7 $55,710 8 $61,980 Each additional person add $6,270

You must also be:

• Literally homeless: A family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, meaning: a) has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not meant for human habitation; or b) is living in a publicly or privately operated shelter designated to provide temporary living arrangements (including congregate shelters, transitional housing, and hotels/motels paid for by charitable organizations or federal, state, and local government programs.

Program Requirements / Eligibility:

• Applicant must meet identity, residency, age, income and citizenship requirements.
  
• Applicant must be a single parent with sole or joint custody of their minor children, a married couple with children, or an unmarried couple who share legal custody of the child or children.
  
• Applicant must be employed in a permanent position at least 25 hours per week, or 20 hours if enrolled in school.
  
• Applicant must have income at or below 150% of the Federal Poverty Level (see chart).
  
• Applicant must be willing to submit to a credit check and a criminal background check.
• Applicant must be willing to submit to a prescreening and score within the range for rapid re-housing intervention and support.
  
• Applicant must participate in setting up and maintaining a monthly budget.
  
• Applicant must be willing to invest up to 30% of their income each month into a savings account and can’t withdraw from it until completion or termination from the program.
  
• Applicant must not be convicted of predatory crimes involving sex, or convicted of assault, fraud, drug possession or use within the last 5 years, or drug sales within the last 10 years.
  

Program Goals:

• Participant is stably housed
  
• Participant is closer to self sufficiency
• Participant has a savings account to help with emergencies
• Participant is living in safe housing
  
• Participant is more marketable to an employer
  
• Participant has improved financial management skills
  
• Participants without a high school diploma have earned a GED
  

 

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What does the program offer?

 

Housing stabilization services, which may include:

 

• Payment of rent
• Payment of a security deposit
• Payment of utility deposits
• Bus passes
• Case Management and referrals to outside agencies

 

The following rules apply:

 

• Participant must show consistent progress/adherence to their Participant Service Plan by meeting their goals and responsibilities to reach self-sufficiency as agreed upon between the participant and Case Manager.  Failure to comply with the Participant Service Plan and/or any other compliance requirements will be considered grounds for termination, if reasonable goals, responsibilities, and/or time frames go unmet by the participant for more than 30 days.
• Note: All rental units must be in compliance with the HUD standards. If you are moving into new housing, the rental unit must pass a habitability standards inspection. If children under the age of 6 are in the home, the rental unit must pass a visual lead-based paint inspection.

• The duration and amount of financial assistance each household receives is based upon need and determined by Human Services. 

 

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How do I apply?

 

To apply for the Family Housing Assistance Program, please take these steps:

 

• Review the information provided in the "Do I Qualify?" section of this website to determine if your household may be eligible for this program.
• Walk in to one of our offices to complete an application. The eligibility process begins when the required documents are received and processed for certification. One of our Case Managers will notify you once the eligibility determination process is complete.
• Application for Services

Human Services locations - ready to serve you

 

2189 Cleveland St., Suite #230 -gmap Clearwater, FL 33765 (727) 464-8400

647 1st Ave. N. -gmap St. Petersburg, FL 33701 (727) 582-7781

 

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What paperwork do I need?

 

• Driver’s License/ID for all adults and social security cards for all household members
• Birth Certificate for children in your custody
• Proof of being homeless
• Last 4-8 weeks of pay stubs showing year-to-date income and proof of 25+ hours per week or 20 hours per week if enrolled in school
• Proof of all household assets
  • Proof of all other benefits received by your family - Examples: SNAP, TANF, Medicaid

 

Any one of the following may be accepted as proof of Pinellas County rdsidency, as long as it includes the city of your current residence:

 

• Voter registration card
• Current driver's license or Florida I.D. card
• Bank statement with current address
• Employment record or pay stub
• Rent receipt or lease agreement
• Motor vehicle registration or title with current address
• School record
• Utility bill – examples: landline telephone, electric, water, or gas
  

 

Proof of income that should be received in the next 12-months–
Examples:

• Award letters from the Social Security Administration or Veterans Administration
• Child support/alimony (must show payment history for last 90 days)
• Pay stubs or letter from employer about future income or Employment Verification Form
• Unemployment insurance benefits
• Worker's compensation
• Welfare assistance
• Proof of regular contributions or gifts (monetary or other) received from persons outside of your household or Regular Contributions Form

 

Proof of assets –
Examples:

• Most recent bank statement for any open checking or savings account
• Non-homestead property
• Retirement/401 K funds
• Stocks, bonds, trusts

 

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What if I’m not eligible for this program?

 

You may call 2-1-1 (210-4211 from cell phone), Tampa Bay's 2-1-1 Call Center, or visit www.211tampabay.org. 2-1-1 provides one memorable number that connects individuals, families and employees to information about critical health and human services available in their community for every day needs and in times of crisis. 2-1-1 provides a one-stop service for this vital information and enables people to get assistance before they give up by providing someone to talk to and someone to listen. 2-1-1 provides a central source for community, health and disaster information and referral line.