Long Term Support Program Supportive Housing Demonstration Program

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NJ Department of Human Services
Division of Family Development (DFD)
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Why is housing important to TANF recipients in NJ?

• New Jersey has the highest housing costs in the
  country
• In a Dec. 2001 report, the Anti-Poverty Network
  of New Jersey stated that
• 22.8 of low-income families experienced
  housing hardship in 1999 (unable to pay rent,
  mortgage or utilities during previous 12 months)
• In 2000, 44 of renters in NJ were unable to
  afford the Fair Market Rent for a 2-BR unit.
• Many of our low-income families are one crisis
  away from returning to welfare
• New Jerseys housing initiatives are helping
  low-income working families stabilize their
  finances, minimize financial crisis and, where
  feasible, become first-time home buyers

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Housing Assistance Program (HAP)

• Created in 1997 as partnership between DHS NJ
  Dept. of Community Affairs (DCA)
• Provided temporary housing subsidies to eligible
  WFNJ families transitioning to work
• Administered by DCA funded by DFD (6M for 3
  year period...2M per year)
• Subsidy reduced as clients income increased.
  Savings from reduced subsidy were put into
  clients escrow account, to help with future costs

350 clients assisted in 5 major urban cities
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Supportive Housing Demonstration Program(SHDP)
Long Term Support Program

• A Public / Private Partnership

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Goals of LTSP SHDP
1. Permanent 2. Affordable 3. Linked to
Residential Support Services 4.
GeographicallyDistributed 5. Partnerships
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Overview of LTSP
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Other Innovative Approaches
Social Services for the Homeless (SSH)

• State appropriation of 8M to assist families
  and individuals who are working and homeless or
  at imminent risk of becoming homeless ( and are
  not eligible for WFNJ).
• Services include emergency food and shelter,
  payment of back rent or utilities and security
  deposits, etc.
• SSH serves 100,000 people annually.

• Each county receives an annual allocation to
  provide services under contract with DFD.
• Additional 2M in TANF funds allocated to
  augment SSH services for working families with
  incomes up to 250 of the federal poverty level.
  Provides non-recurring, short-term assistance
  (not beyond 4 months).

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Other Innovative Approaches
TANF funding used to wrap around Section 8
Vouchers

• 4 M in TANF dollars set aside to help clients
  utilize their Section 8 Certificates
• Extremely low vacancy rate makes finding a
  landlord to accept Section 8 difficult
• Funds can be used for security deposits, moving
  or other expenses
• Allows payments to landlords while repairs are
  made to bring a unit up to Section 8 standards

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Other Innovative Approaches
Housing Subsidy Program(MOE monies)

• Ongoing rental assistance or one-time expenses,
  such as moving costs, utility turn-on or security
  deposit
• Current former TANF clients with earned income
  up to 150 of FPL, spending 40 or more of income
  on rent
• TANF recipients who are employed and working at
  least 20 hrs. per week for the past 4 months
• Must voluntarily close their welfare case
• Assistance up to 24 months

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Issues in using TANF funds for Housing

• TANF final regulations define housing as
  assistance
• Therefore, payments toward housing costs for a
  working family could make their TANF clock run
  (after 4 months)
• Recommend treating housing like transportation,
  child care and Medicaid

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Key Contacts

• Liza Nolan, New Jersey Program
  DirectorCorporation for Supportive Housing
  (CSH)609-392-7820 fax [phone]liza.nolan_at_cs
  h.org
• Larry HattonDepartment of Human ServicesPolicy
  and Planning698-984-9335 fax [phone]Larry.
  Hatton_at_dhs.state.nj.us
• Barbara DeGraafNJ Division of Family
  Development609-588-2405 fax [phone]Barbara
  .Degraaf_at_dhs.state.nj.us