HPRP Funds for Homeless Prevention
Wednesday October 07, 2009, Diocesan
Catholic Charities of Northwest Florida is the recipient of economic stimulus funds from the Economic Recovery Act of 2009 to help prevent families from becoming homeless who meet specific eligibility criteria. Funds can also be used to rapidly re-house those eligible individuals who have become recently homeless due to the economic crisis facing our country and region. You MUST meet specific criteria to be eligible for these funds and they are not intended to be used for chronic homelessness or emergencies.
These funds will be administered out of three of our offices, specifically Pensacola, Panama City and Tallahassee regional offices. HPRP funds are not available through our Ft. Walton Beach office. For more information on eligibility criteria and how to access these funds, please see the HPRP Flyers on this web-site or contact one of the three regional offices nearest you.
HPRP Funds for Homeless Prevention-Escambia County/City of Pensacola
HPRP- City of Tallahassee Residents Only
HPRP- Panama City/ Bay County & Six County Area
Big Bend 7 County Area excluding Leon & City of Tallahassee
Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP)
On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which includes $1.5 billion for a Homelessness Prevention Fund. The fund established the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) to provide financial assistance and services to prevent individuals or families from becoming homeless or to rapidly re-house persons who are currently homeless as defined by the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. The objective is to target households that are most in need of this temporary assistance and are most likely to achieve stable housing, whether subsidized or unsubsidized, outside of HPRP after the program concludes.
In Florida, there are 18 counties, 13 cities, and the state (representing 47 counties), that received an allocation from the Department of Housing and Urban Development. Each county or city also has the discretion to develop prevention and/or rapid re-housing program guidelines that meet locally-defined needs(1). Therefore, you must contact the direct provider of HPRP for you city or county to inquire about eligibility, assistance opportunities, and the date that funding will be available.
General eligibility criteria(2):
• Currently homeless or at-risk of homelessness
• Income of 50% of Area Median Income
• No other housing options
• No Financial Resources or support networks to obtain or remain in housing
Financial assistance available may include(3):
• Temporary rental payments
• Utility payments
• Security deposits
• Utility deposits (only gas, electricity, water, sewer, and garbage collection)
• Moving cost assistance
The HPRP funds can not be used for:
• Mortgage payments, fees, or taxes
• Construction or rehabilitation
• Credit card bills
• Telephone or cable bills
• Consumer debt
• Car repairs or other transportation cost
• Travel costs
• Food
• Medical or dental care and medicines
• Clothing and grooming
• Home furnishings
• Pet care
• Entertainment activities
• Work or Education related materials
• Cash assistance to program participants.
1 Cities or counties may elect to serve only at-risk or only homeless individuals and/or families.
2 Additional eligibility requirements may apply.
3 All payments are made directly to property managers, landlords, utility companies and third-party moving companies.