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, sustainability planning and providing referrals to appropriate agencies for needed services, if necessary. Engagement with your Case Manager on a monthly basis with ongoing goal planning for sustainability is required.
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 past due rent. An eviction letter or Notice to Quit is required. One of our Case Managers will work hard with your landlord to maximize your chances for staying in your apartment or home, HAP can also assist with first month rent and/or security deposit transferring from a homelessness situation 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 meet the definition of Homeless or Near Homeless.
- 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
- All persons must meet the Financial Eligibility limits (see table below).
- Household must have adequate permanent income and demonstrate the ability to maintain rent and sustain their basic needs.
- Temp agency employees must be steadily employed for 12 months.
- Qualified persons moving into subsidized housing are only eligible for one-time assistance with security deposit.
- Note: We do not pay court costs, pet fees, late fees or utilities. We do not fund hotel or motel stays.
July 1, 2025 - June 30, 2026
FINANCIAL GUIDELINES - (200% federal poverty level)
FAMILY SIZE GROSS INCOME (3-Months)
1 $7,824.00
2 $10,575.00
3 $13,326.00
4 $16,074.00
5 $18,825.00
6 $21,576.00
7 $24,324.00
8 $27,075.00
(For each additional individual: Add $2,751.00)