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: Can HPRP funds be used to assist illegal immigrants? If so, what type of identification documentation is acceptable?

In accordance with Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996, an alien (a person who is not a U.S. citizen or national) may be eligible for assistance under HPRP only if he or she is a “qualified alien” (defined in 8 U.S.C. 1641). This means that no entity that receives funds under HPRP may knowingly provide HPRP assistance to an alien who is not a qualified alien.
The law requires all state and local governments that directly administer HPRP assistance to first verify that an alien is a qualified alien before using HPRP funds to assist him or her. Nonprofit organizations that administer HPRP assistance are not required, but may, verify that an alien is a qualified alien in order to provide him or her with HPRP assistance. However, if a nonprofit organization pursues verification, it must follow the requirements set forth in the interim guidance published by the Department of Justice.
For more information on these requirements (including documentation), see the “Interim Guidance on Verification of Citizenship, Qualified Alien Status, and Eligibility under Title IV of the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act of 1996,” 63 Federal Register 61344 (Nov. 17, 1997), available at http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/advanced.html. (Select 1997 Federal Register and search for page 61344. Scroll down through the list provided to find “Interim Guidance of Verification of Citizenship, Qualified Alien.”)
Grantees/subgrantees with additional questions are encouraged to contact their local US Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) office. An office locator is available at https://egov.uscis.gov/crisgwi/go?action=offices

Q&A: Is it acceptable to use HPRP funds on renting a room for housing, excluding motels?

From HUD virtual helpdesk: Yes, HPRP assistance can be provided in these situations as long as there is a lease in place and there is no conflict of interest (e.g., there may be a conflict of interest if the landlord is the renter's brother). It is the grantee's job to fully assess the situation to ensure a conflict does not exist, and that the applicant has no other resources, support networks, or housing options to prevent homelessness.

Q&A: Can an HPRP provider get a security deposit back if the household moves?

It is the decision of the lead agency and/or provider if their agreement with clients includes recovering security deposit funds if they move.

From HUDhre: HUD is giving grantees the discretion to determine how to handle security deposits. The grantee may recover the security deposit, in which case it must be treated as program income. Alternately, the grantee may allow the household to keep the deposit and use it towards their next unit. Finally, the landlord or property management company may keep a portion of the deposit if it is needed to pay for costs incurred by the tenant such as damages to the unit.

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: Is all social security income that is excluded from income or is it just deferred payments?

From HUD Income Eligibility Documentation: http://www.hudhre.info/documents/hprp_IncomeDocReqs.pdf

Gross income that must be included in calculation: Any monthly payments in lieu of earnings, such as unemployment, disability compensation, SSI, SSDI, and worker's compensation.

Not included in income calculation: Deferred periodic amounts from SSI and Social Security benefits that are received in a lump sum amount or in prospective monthly amounts.

Q&A: Are sober houses/recovery houses considered transitional housing?

No, they are not transitional housing.  Sober/Recovery housing fall under "sober living facilities" as a type of housing in CT. There are DMHAS supported sober/recovery housing which may provide rental assistance/reimbursement; uncertified housing is supported only by rental payments.  Many uncertified sober units have oral leases (month to month) which are legal in CT, but there must be a written lease to support a client using HPRP funds.

Click on link below for more info on Sober Housing in CT
http://www.cga.ct.gov/2009/rpt/2009-R-0316.htm