New Mexico Special Needs Housing and the Local Lead Agency Concept

Transcription

1 New Mexico Special Needs Housing and the Local Lead Agency Concept An Overview for Advocates and Agencies that Serve Special Needs Housing Consumers NMCEH Member Meeting Friday, July 20, 2012

2 New Mexico Special Needs Housing o Special Needs (SN) housing in Tax Credit Housing is for persons with qualified disabilities and limited incomes: the consumer has all the rights and obligations of tenancy o Linked with flexible supportive services to support tenancy and address other needs o What is a SN Unit? A housing unit in a LIHTC property that has been designated for a Special Needs consumer

3 New Mexico s Special Needs Housing Program Who is an Eligible? Must have Household income at or below 60% of area median income for the County: and LIHTC properties built after 2009 Household must meet one of these target populations: homeless individual or family; physical disabilities ; developmental disabilities; chronic mental illness LIHTC properties built after 2011, Disabilities definition also includes: addictive disorder; sensory, or cognitive disability occurring after the age of 22; disability caused by chronic illness; age-related disability (i.e., frail elderly, or, young adult) 3

4 Two Phase Application & Eligibility Process Phase I -- LLA: reviews Special Needs Application consumer screened; wait list order via Lottery and referred by Local Lead Agency to LIHTC Property Manager Phase II -- LIHTC PROPERTY MANAGER: Final Consumer Eligibility is Determined by Property Manager background check; credit check; income level, etc. Special Note: Applications are reviewed and chosen by date and time stamped on Property s Application for Residency form submitted to the Property Manager at the apartment complex

5 How does this work? Who does What Understanding the Roles and Partners

6 Local Lead Agency Liaison for Accessing Housing Housing Property Manager Leasing agent Tenant- landlord relations SN Referrals Local Lead Agency Pre-screens and refers tenants; Maintains wait list; Liaison between service providers & property manager Tenant Support & Eviction Prevention Support Services Provider / Agencies Refers prospective tenants and provides support services to clients Providers/Agencies *Disability services Homeless Services Mental Health Substance Abuse services

7 What does the Local Lead Agency do? Organize Community Providers/Agency Stakeholders meetings and SH Learning Communities Provide SN tenant pre-screening to verify the prospective tenant has: 1) a qualified special need, and, 2) meets income requirements Conduct a SN lottery to establish priority waiting list from eligible SN applicants Maintain a SN tenant waiting list -- Keep LLA list current with new contact info -- stay in contact with consumer and referring provider Refers eligible SN consumers to LIHTC Property Manager for tenant screening & eligibility determination Ensure that Referring Services Agencies is committed to providing tenant support services and eviction prevention How are Local Lead Agencies selected? By an RFP process by OptumHealth

8 Property Manager Responsibilities Notify LLA of special needs unit vacancies Notify LLA of any updates, or anticipated delays of the construction in initial lease up process Notify LLA if a referred Special Needs applicant does not meet Property s tenant selection policy Notify LLA of Tenant Eviction notices 8

9 What are my Responsibilities as a Referring Provider/ Agency? Before the Consumer Accepted Special Needs Tenant: o o o o o o Assess the consumer s potential for success in independent living in their own apartment Does your consumer meet the Special Needs definition? Can your Agency provide the necessary supports and services to your consumer? Is the tenant able to pay a security and utility deposits, application fees and ongoing rent? Review the Tenant Responsibility and Participation Agreement with the Consumer Assist applicants to complete Special Needs Pre-Application forms and documentation 9

10 What are my Responsibilities as an Referring Provider/Agency? After Consumer Accepted as a Special Needs Tenant: o o o o Provide move in assistance and helps with deposits Provide an overview of the consumer s the rights, responsibilities and property rules as a Tenant Responsible for providing ongoing support services as needed and requested by your client/tenant to promote successful tenancy and provide eviction prevention support Maintain a Crisis Response Plan which should include a minimum of two emergency contact numbers to be provided to Property Manager 10

11 What the Difference between Local Lead Agency and Core Service Agency functions? Local Lead Agency (LLA): Pre-screens, determines eligibility and refers special needs tenants to SN housing Core Services Agency (CSA): Provides support services, assessment, treatment for behavioral health consumers only Note: in some Counties the LLA and CSA may be same Agency but different staff perform LLA functions OR provides service and case management functions 11

12 Helping the [Special Needs Housing] Consumer Understand the Rights and Responsibilities of a Good Tenant

13 From the First Day..Create Expectations to Be a Good Tenant Use the Structure and Elements of the Lease o Making Rent and Utility Payments o Maintaining the apartment o Respecting other s quiet enjoyment of their apartment o Maintaining positive communication and relationship with the Property Manager 13

14 MOVING INTO AN APARTMENT or What Does a Consumer Need for their New Home? Furniture: Bed & Mattress, Dresser, Sofa, Kitchen Table, etc. Household Goods: Sheets, blankets, towels, etc. Kitchen and Basic Food Set Up 14

15 Monthly Home Visits are the Key Using the Monthly Housing Supportive Housing Checklist Check on Consumer Well being Check on Apartment condition Are rent and utilities being paid on time? Any Tenancy-related issues? Any changes or challenges in last month? 15

16 How to be a good neighbor Keep the noise down. blasting music, loud disturbances in the middle of the night are you inconsiderate of your neighbors? Do not violate your lease in any way the tenant is responsible for any actions of their guest Keep the common areas clean Pick up after yourself. Don t leave newspapers, junk mail, or litter for others to endure. Be friendly with your neighbors As soon as you move in, begin developing relations with your neighbors. Give them a friendly greeting when you see them. Not only will you feel a stronger tie to your new community, but you may develop a friend to help you out if you need something later.

17 Top 7 Common Issues Rent Delays Frequent Visitors / People Moving In Problems with Neighbors Frequent Repair Requests Hoarding / Problems Maintaining Apt Suspected Criminal Activity Frequent 911 Calls 17

18 Working with Landlords or Property Managers Pro-active outreach introduce yourself Provide education about what services you provide Be persistent, patient Be accessible in person, phone, Know fair housing law Check in with Landlord regularly Recognize they own the property 18

19 Remember Always Keep the Local Lead Agency Informed of any Crisis or Property Management & Tenant Issues as soon as they occur. Any Questions. Contact your Local Lead Agency

20 Discussion and Questions Contact Information: Janie McGuigan, Supportive Housing Coordinator New Mexico Behavioral Health Collaborative Human Services Department