Press Release:
Catholic Charities and Families Count, the agencies responsible for administering Homeless Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing funding, have issued the following clarification regarding eligibility criteria for individuals and families wishing to access Homeless Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing (HPRP) funding.
The Homeless Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing program, created through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, is not an emergency assistance program for homeowners who need help with mortgage payments, nor is it for the chronically homeless who need housing.
The HPRP program is a case management program targeting families striving for self-sufficiency. To qualify for the program, individuals and families must be screened through a 15-30 min. initial telephone screening. No walk-ins will be accepted at either agency.
Eligible Individuals must be:
· At or below 50% of the Area Medium Income (AMI)
· A US Citizen
· A resident of Escambia or Santa Rosa County
· Have a documented lease agreement
· Be facing imminent homelessness if they do not receive assistance
Those deemed eligible through a phone screening will be interviewed by a professional case manager. Their case manager will develop a self-sufficiency plan that they will be required to complete. The plan may include:
· Goal Setting
· Participation in education and workforce readiness training
· Creating a life plan to move off temporary assistance funds
Individuals and families approved by a professional case manager will be eligible for rental and utility assistance and deposits, certain moving expenses and hotel/motel vouchers.
Funding available through HPRP does not meet the demand for assistance. Limited funding has been made available for staffing and support of the HPRP program. Please be aware that new screenings may be suspended at any time due to the overwhelming demand and limited funding and staffing.
Catholic Charities and Families Count recognize that many families are facing a level of financial crisis and instability that has not seen in decades. In order to better facilitate the high volume of calls, we ask residents to be patient and follow the intake procedures outlined below. These procedures have been implemented to expedite the process and provide assistance to as many eligible individuals and families as funds will allow.
For residents in Escambia County:
· Must receive a phone screening through Catholic Charities at 850-436-6425.
· No other phone numbers are available.
· Phone screenings are conducted on Tuesday’s and Wednesday’s
· Phone screenings are conducted between the hours of 9:30am-11:30am only
· Visit www.catholiccharitiesnwfl.org for more detailed information
For residents of Santa Rosa County:
· Currently out of funds
· Must receive a phone screening through Families Count at 850-983-8886
· Phone screenings are conducted the 1st Monday thru Thursday of each month
· Phone screenings are conducted from 9 a.m. until noon
· Visit www.familiescount.net for more detailed information.
For assistance with issues and crisis other than homeless prevention and rapid re-housing, please contact First Call for Help at 850-595-5905.