Rapid Rehousing is a short-term subsidy program that assists
individuals experiencing homelessness find affordable permanent housing. It is
specifically designed for individuals experiencing homelessness for the past 1
year or have had several periods of homelessness within the last 3 years move
into a house quickly.
It's a short-term subsidy to make sure the government
assists you (12 months) while you're trying to get housing.
It helps you get into housing quickly, but it is not
permanent housing.
Steps in the Program:
- Complete
a Coordinated Entry assessment (VI-SPDAT).
- Get
matched if eligible and if space is available.
- Case
management: Meet with a case manager to review income and goals. Connect
to employment services, medical care, or recovery programs
- Find
your own apartment that meets program guidelines.
- Receive
temporary move-in and rent assistance.
- Work
on income, stability, and long-term housing plans.
- Exit
the program when assistance ends.
Important Notes:
- Rapid
Rehousing is time limited.
- Participants
must locate their own rental unit.
- After
assistance ends, rent becomes the participant’s responsibility.
- If the
unit becomes unaffordable, participants must find another place.
- You
can save up enough so that you can eventually pay it yourself.
What is provided?
- Up to
12 months of subsidy based on need, including:
- Move-in
assistance, including first month’s rent, utility assistance, bedding and
household essential.
- Assistance
with utilities
- Case
management services that will partner with you to address your identified
goals
What is expected of clients?
- Connect
with your assigned case manager to discuss your service plan and goals
- Actively
participate in your housing search
- Create
and participate in your goal plan that will lead to housing stability
- Pay
30% of your monthly gross income towards housing payments
- Provide
income verification
- Pay
your portion of rent and utilities on time
Why should you participate?
You will receive assistance with the following:
Locating affordable housing
- Move-in
costs, including:
o First month’s rent and security deposit
o Bedding and household essentials
o Identifying and accessing employment
services
o Connecting to other community
resources
o Budgeting for long-term financial support
o Support to assist you in meeting your
identified goals
Summary
Rapid Rehousing helps you get into your own place faster,
but it’s not long-term and it’s not free. You’ll get
help with move-in fees and rent for a short time while you work on income. You
pick the apartment, and once the assistance ends, you take over the rent
yourself. If you can’t afford the unit later, you may need to move to a cheaper
place. The first step is completing the VI-SPDAT so you can
be considered for a match. It is gradually scaled down:
essentially, they might pay 100% or 70% and it gradually goes down until you
are able to pay it yourself- or downsize to what you can afford
Rapid Rehousing: Questions and Answers
Q: Why did Rapid Rehousing stop paying for my apartment?
A: Because Rapid Rehousing is a short-term program. It only
pays rent for a limited time, usually a few months to a year. It never pays
permanently.
Q: Did I do something wrong?
A: No. The program ends for everyone. It’s designed to be
temporary, not long-term support.
Q: Is Rapid Rehousing permanent housing?
A: No. Rapid Rehousing helps you get into housing quickly,
but it is not permanent housing and not meant to cover rent forever.
Q: Why doesn’t Rapid Rehousing pay longer?
A: The funding comes from government grants that have strict
time limits. When the funding ends, the rental assistance ends for all
participants.
Q: What am I expected to do while I’m in the program?
A: Work on increasing income, budgeting for rent, staying in
communication with your case manager, and planning for when assistance ends.
Q: What happens when the program ends?
A: You become responsible for the full rent. If the rent
becomes too high, you may need to look for a cheaper unit or apply for other
programs.
Q: Does everyone in Rapid Rehousing have to find their
own apartment?
A: Yes. Participants choose their own unit, and the program
helps temporarily with payments.
Q: Can I stay in the apartment after Rapid Rehousing
stops paying?
A: Yes, as long as you can afford the rent on your own.
Q: Is Rapid Rehousing free housing?
A: No. It’s temporary rental assistance. You still need
income to take over the rent once support ends.
Q: What if I believed the program would pay forever?
A: Many people misunderstand the program at first. The truth
is that no Rapid Rehousing program pays permanently. It’s only meant to help
you stabilize short-term.
