Q&A: Can we serve criminal offenders or ex-offenders?

See question and answer below from HUD regarding serving ex-offenders:

If otherwise eligible for HPRP assistance, can ex-offenders or offenders who are scheduled for release but have no suitable housing options be assisted with HPRP?

HPRP regulations do not require grantees to disqualify individuals or families based on criminal history. HUD requires only that all program participants meet the minimum eligibility criteria and that grantees comply with all local and Federal requirements.
Grantees are allowed flexibility in designing their programs, which means they have the discretion to establish their own policies regarding ex-offenders. If grantees choose to serve ex-offenders with HPRP funds, it is the role of grantees and subgrantees to work with landlords in developing strategies to reduce barriers to housing for ex-offenders.

Per the definitions in HPRP Notice, persons who have been incarcerated for less than 180 days and were homeless prior to entering the institution would be assisted under the rapid re-housing category. Persons that have been in the institution for longer than 180 days would be assisted under the prevention category.

Q&A: As far as you know, are we allowed to pay for a lease for a space for a mobile home? We have a case where a lady owns a mobile home/trailor, but does not have the money currently so rent a space to put it on so it can be hooked up.

Based on the HUD answer below, it appears that it is acceptable.

From HUDhre: Is payment of rented trailer pads/lots on which a mobile home residence rests an eligible expense under HPRP?


Rental assistance or arrears to pay for a lot on which a trailer is located can be eligible under financial assistance, although it is up to the grantee to determine whether to use HPRP funds for financial assistance costs associated with manufactured homes/trailer pads. HUD does not prohibit it

Q&A: We know that HPRP assistance cannot be provided to properties owned by either the lead agency or a sub-contractor but does that apply cross-regionally?

From HUD Financial Assistance Document: http://www.hhs.state.ne.us/fia/nhap/docs/HPRP_Eligible_Activities/FinancialAssistance.pdf

An assisted property may not be owned by the grantee, subgrantee, or the parent, subsidiary or affiliated organization of the subgrantee.

It appears that it is acceptable cross-regionally unless the requesting program has any connection as stated above. By that statement, it also appears acceptable within region as long as there is no connection as stated above.

Q&A: Can HPRP funds be used for furniture?

As stated in the Notice, HPRP funds may not be used to help participants purchase furniture. However, there are a number of resources available to help households who need assistance furnishing an apartment.

Visit http://www.nationalfurniturebank.org/index.html to find a furniture bank in your community.

Q&A: What is the difference between utility assistance and a utility deposit?

Utility assistance is ongoing financial assistance, possibly up to 18 months for an eligible client. An example is someone that cannot currently afford costly utility payments due to heating and is not eligible for a matching payment program or other programs that may assist with utility payments.

Utility deposits are useful for households that are required to pay a deposit for service connection, usually due to poor credit, lack of credit, or history of late payments or outstanding bills with utility company. Utility deposits are also helpful for those that have been “shut-off” by utility company and must pay full amount of outstanding bill to resume service.

Q&A: Can rent arrears be paid with HPRP funds if an applicant has a Section 8 certificate or other type subsidy?

From HUDhre.info: While a household receiving an ongoing housing subsidy cannot receive HPRP rental assistance, HPRP can be used to help the household pay for up to six months of arrears in cases where the household has fallen behind on its portion of the payment due to a time lag between the household’s change in income and the recalculation of the tenant rent contribution. Note that the payment of arrears is eligible because it represents a different period of time – i.e., the arrears represents a back payment of the client portion, while the current rental assistance is a payment going forward.

Q&A: Can someone with a Section 8 certificate or other type subsidy receive assistance with a security deposit through HPRP funds?

Yes. Eligibility for the DSS Security Deposit Guarantee Program should be checked first. From HUDhre.info: “Finally, clients receiving rental assistance under another program may be eligible for other types of HPRP assistance, as long as they are not also receiving that “type” of assistance through another source. For example, a homeless veteran entering a HUD-VASH project may receive security deposit assistance with HPRP funds.”

Q&A: Mortgage foreclosure – if the client’s meet the income eligibility can they receive HPRP assistance other than a housing subsidy?

No. HPRP funds cannot be associated with mortgage, taxes or mortgage refinancing. If the household is in foreclosure and they would be homeless but for this assistance and they meet the HUD eligibility, HPRP may be used for assistance other than the mortgage.

Q&A: Should callers/applicants be directed to Eviction & Foreclosure Prevention Program before screening for HPRP if they request rental arrears?

HPRP is a homelessness prevention program. The resources are limited and should be directed to people who would be homeless but for this assistance. Rental arrears are an eligible cost under HPRP, but should be applied only to households for whom homelessness will result from a lack of assistance.