Making the Move to Independent Housing in Northern Virginia
Explore the journey to independent housing with the Northern Virginia Housing & Supportive Services Regional Implementation Team. Discover the choices and responsibilities that come with independent living through interactive games and insights into success stories. Learn about the offerings, responsibilities, and support available in transitioning to independent housing.
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MAKE THE MOVE TO INDEPENDENT HOUSING Northern Virginia Housing & Supportive Services Regional Implementation Team May 8, 2017
Lets Play a Game: Which Do You Prefer? Coca-cola Being assigned housemates Having a planned set of meals each week Paying your bills/choosing how to spend your money Having a set bedtime Choosing who visits your home and how long they stay Taking a walk with your 3 housemates (one hates walks) Pepsi Choosing who lives with you Choosing meals to make based on the foods you like Giving others control over how your money is spent Choosing when to go to bed Having visitor time one day a week Choosing what you want to do with your best friend
Independent Housing Offers: CHOICES Where you live Who lives with you Who supports you Who visits you How you decorate your home What you eat When you get up and go to sleep How you spend your time
Independent Housing Offers: RESPONSIBILITIES Pay bills & expenses (rent, utilities, phone, food, transportation, laundry) Housekeeping & chores Call landlord to repair your unit when needed Follow the rules in your lease agreement Fees if you pay rent late Keep the noise down Keep your unit clean and free of pests Time limits on guest stays No unapproved residents or pets No drugs or violence toward people or property Repair damages you cause to the unit Give proper notice if you plan to move out Make an agreement with roommate & work out issues Ask for help when you need it
As You Watch the Videos, Think About Where did these individuals live before they moved? Where do they live now? What do they like about their new home? What are they responsible for? What helps pay for their housing? Who helps them live in their own home? How do they help?
Videos of Success Stories in Integrated, Independent Housing http://www.novahss.org/success-stories/success-story-1- brian http://www.novahss.org/success-stories/success-story-2- gail-and-esther http://www.novahss.org/success-stories/success-story-3- david-and-rory http://www.novahss.org/success-stories/success-story-4- rogan?id=98 http://www.novahss.org/success-stories/success-story-5- theresa http://www.novahss.org/success-stories/success-story-6- robert
Discussion Where did these individuals live before they moved? Where do they live now? What do they like about their new home? What are they responsible for? What helps pay for their housing? Who helps them live in their own home? How do they help?
Who is in the Settlement Agreement Population for Housing? People with developmental disabilities who Are age 18 or older AND in ONE of these categories: living in a training center, intermediate care or nursing facility receiving Medicaid DD Waiver Services (e.g., group home, in- home support, personal assistance, companion services, integrated day or employment services, etc.) on a waitlist for Medicaid DD Waiver Services
New Housing Resources in Northern VA for the Settlement Agreement Population State Rental Assistance Low Income Housing Tax Credit lease preference Flexible Funds
State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) Helps pay part of the rent so you can afford to lease your own home. Currently available in: Fairfax County, Fairfax City or the Towns of Clifton, Herndon or Vienna Chesapeake Norfolk Virginia Beach Must rent housing in Cities/Counties where SRAP is available If approved, household receives rent assistance certificate Must find a place to rent take certificate to any landlord who will accept it Monthly rent plus tenant paid utilities must be within SRAP maximum subsidy limit Support coordinator must refer you Use the DBHDS referral form at http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/library/developmental%20services/housing/re ferral%20docs/dds_dbhds%20housing%20resource%20referral%20form_2 _10_17finalv4.pdf
State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) DBHDS selects referrals to apply in priority order: 1. persons in training centers, ICFs, nursing facilities or group homes 2. persons who are homeless, at risk of homelessness, at risk of abuse/neglect, or paying more than half of their income toward rent 3. persons who live with their families For SRAP referrals to Fairfax County, DBHDS will select referrals as follows: Priority 1 referrals living in Fairfax County, then out of County Priority 2 referrals living in Fairfax County, then out of County Priority 3 referrals living in Fairfax County, then out of County For more info, see the SRAP Fact Sheet: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/library/developmental%20ser vices/housing/srap/dds_srapfactsheet_8_19_16.pdf
Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Lease Preference LIHTC program offers affordable housing to low/moderate income households rents are set for residents in certain income ranges rents may still be higher than what a single person on SSI/DI can afford without rent assistance Some LIHTC properties have a preference for Settlement Agreement applicants. They move to the top of the waitlists & apply for specific units. Rent assistance is attached to some apartments. Other apartments have no rent assistance. People who get SRAP can use it to help pay rent in unassisted apartments.
Low Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Lease Preference Two LIHTC properties with units that have preferences and rent assistance will open in NoVA in 2017/2018: http://www.wesleypropertymanagement.com/wexford-manor http://www.wesleypropertymanagement.com/news/the-fallstead-at- lewinsville-center-groundbreaking Support coordinator must refer you Use the DBHDS referral form: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/library/developmental%20services/ho using/referral%20docs/dds_dbhds%20housing%20resource%20ref erral%20form_2_10_17finalv4.pdf
Flexible Funding Provides financial assistance to help you cover Expenses to get into housing (up to $5000) Includes application fees, security deposits, utility deposits, temporary rent, assistive technology/environmental mods not covered by Waiver or other sources, furniture, household supplies, moving expenses, temporary supports and other expenses. Expenses to maintain your housing (up to $5000) Includes emergency rent and utility payments, unit repairs, pest extermination, special cleanings, temporary relocation, and other expenses. Payment is not made directly to individuals or families. There are two ways to obtain financial assistance: Pay for expenses up front, save receipts and get reimbursed. Get invoices and W-9s, and submit to CSB. CSB will pay vendors directly. Support coordinator must refer you Local CSBs manage this program and have referral forms For CSB contacts, see: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/library/developmental%20services/housing/flexible%20f unding/dds_flexible%20funding%20flyer_8_31_16ver2.pdf
Am I Ready to Be Referred for Independent Housing? Key Questions Is independent housing what I want? Learn more Watch the HSS videos: https://www.youtube.com/user/VideosatTheArcofNoVA Visit people who live in independent housing with support and ask questions Try out independent housing with support for an overnight or weekend 1.
Am I Ready to Be Referred for Independent Housing? Key Questions Who do I want to live with? Do I want or need a roommate for companionship or to share expenses? a live-in aide for support? If yes identify people in your Circle you can ask to share housing interview each other about what you each want/need in shared housing use Questions to Ask Potential Housemates do a trial run stay overnight at each other s homes, go on vacation together make a Roommate Agreement or Live-in Companion Agreement to share housing 2.
Am I Ready to Be Referred for Independent Housing? Key Questions Can I afford to live in a home I rent with rent assistance? Make a budget use the Household Spending Plan Assume you will spend at least 30% of your monthly income on rent plus utilities (electric, gas, water, sewer, trash) Keep a diary of how you spend your cash for 4 weeks Look at ways to increase income decrease expenses get help to cover certain costs 3.
Am I Ready to Be Referred for Independent Housing? Key Questions Where do I want to live? What communities work for me? near family/friends, job, services, shopping, health care, transportation, recreation safe and secure (good lighting, sidewalks, low crime) What buildings work? (garden-style, mid-rise, high-rise buildings) 4.
Am I Ready to Be Referred for Independent Housing? Key Questions What features do I need in my unit? The building? No smoking/smoking No pets/pets allowed Electric appliances Washer & dryer in the building Audiovisual smoke detectors Roll-in shower, roll-under countertops Secure building entrance Front desk staff Walking distance to bus stop Parking lot/garage 5.
Am I Ready to Be Referred for Independent Housing? Key Questions Will I have the supports I need? Who helps me at home now? What activities do they help me with? What activities did I need or want help with on my overnight trial run? Talk with your support coordinator, service provider and family about who can help with these activities if you move Update your Person Centered Plan to reflect the supports you need in independent housing Ask your support coordinator about DD Waiver services in independent housing and who provides them Independent Living In-home Supports Shared Living Personal Assistance Companion Services Assistive Technology Environmental Modifications Electronic Home Based Monitoring (coming soon) Non-Medical Transportation (coming soon) What if DD Waiver services aren t available? Consider: Live-in aide as a reasonable accommodation in assisted housing Other community resources the individual may qualify for (EDCD Waiver, Meals on Wheels, Mental Health Services, etc.) Natural supports (family, friends, congregation) Privately paid supports (using Able Account, Special Needs Trust) 6. For a summary of DD Waiver service options, see: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/lib rary/developmental%20services/ mlmc%20services%20and%20s upport%20options%202016%20 final%206%2030%2016.pdf
Am I Ready to Be Referred for Independent Housing? Key Questions Do I have the documents I need to apply for housing assistance and rental housing? Birth certificate or proof of citizenship/legal residency Social Security card Photo ID SSI/DI benefits letter, most recent pay stubs 7.
Am I Ready to Be Referred for Independent Housing? Key Questions Can I pay for up-front housing expenses (application fees, security deposit, moving costs, utility deposits, furniture & household supplies)? Complete the Moving Expenses Budget 8.
Am I Ready to Be Referred for Independent Housing? Key Questions What is my plan to address legal issues? Unpaid bills? Prior evictions? 9.
Helpful Resources My Own Home: A Handbook on Independent Housing Options for Individuals with Developmental Disabilities: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/library/developmental%20services/housing/my%20own%20ho me%20handbook/dds_a_home_for_me_final_3_16_17.pdf Housing and Support Services of Northern Virginia: www.novahss.org Housing Success Stories and Videos Toolkit: Preparing Individuals to Transition to Independent Housing Search for Rental Properties and Housing Assistance Resources Coming This Summer: On-line Roommate Match Program Also Coming This Summer: Integrated, Independent Housing Tours Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/individuals-and-families/developmental- disabilities/community-support-services Click on the Housing tab Scroll down for information about rental housing resources for the Settlement Agreement target population
Links Questions to Ask Potential Housemates: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/library/developmental%20service s/housing/housing_training/questions%20for%20potential%20h ousemates.docx Roommate Agreement: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/library/developmental%20service s/housing/housing_training/roommate_agreement_sample.pdf Live-in Companion Agreement: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/library/developmental%20service s/housing/housing_training/liveincaregiveragreement.docx Household Spending Plan: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/library/developmental%20service s/housing/housing_training/household-spending-plan.pdf Moving Expenses Budget: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/library/developmental%20service s/housing/housing_training/moving_expenses_budget.xlsx
Who Do I Contact for More Information? Your DD Support Coordinator Jeannie Cummins Regional Housing Specialist Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (804) 836-4308 j.cummins@dbhds.virginia.gov
