DHAP-Ike Family Participation

More than 11,000 families have been assigned to Houston and Harris County housing authorities for participation in a program that provides housing assistance for homeowners and renters whose homes suffered significant damage from the hurricane.
 
To help understand the program, here is a list of frequently used acronyms. 
 
 
·         HUD – Department of Housing and Urban Development
·         DHAP – Disaster Housing Assistance Program
·         PHA – Public Housing Authorities; in Houston, there are two: Houston Housing Authority (HHA) and Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA)
 
 
As of March 31, Houston Housing Authority (HHA) has received the names of 5,772 families; Harris County Housing Authority (HCHA) has received 5,283 and the Galveston Housing Authority has received 6,295. In Texas, more than 25,000 families have been referred to PHA's for DHAP-Ike housing.
  
 
FAQ's:
 
Q: Who determines DHAP-Ike families eligible for assistance?
A: FEMA is solely responsible for determining if the family is initially eligible to receive assistance under DHAP-Ike. Neither HUD nor the PHA can determine eligibility. *NOTE: The deadline to register with FEMA is Feb. 20, 2009.
 
Q: Are there income requirements for DHAP-Ike assistance?
A: Initially there are no income eligibility requirements for DHAP-Ike assistance. However, only families with housing costs that exceed 30 percent of the family’s monthly income are eligible for continued DHAP-Ike rental assistance and case management services after the earlier of July 31, 2009, or six months following the effective date of the initial DRSC executed on behalf of the family.
 
Q: Can a family rent a unit under DHAP-Ike where the rent exceeds the monthly rent subsidy?
A: Yes, however, in such cases the family is responsible for covering the portion of the rent that exceeds the monthly rent subsidy. Tenants are also responsible for any utility costs that are not included in the rent under the lease.
 
Q: Are DHAP-Ike families required to contribute to rent?
A: Beginning May 1, 2009, families will be required to pay a portion of the rent of $50, which will increase by an additional $50 each subsequent month. This is called Incremental Rent Transition (IRT). This amount is in addition to the family’s share in cases where the monthly rent exceeds the monthly rent subsidy. Starting August 2009, tenants whose rent burden does not exceed 30 percent of post-disaster gross income (taking into account existing mortgages for personal residences that remain uninhabitable) will no longer be eligible for DHAP-Ike. Tenants whose rent burden and mortgage exceed 30 percent of post-disaster income will continue to receive assistance. The program ends March 13, 2010.
 
Q: Are there exemptions to the Incremental Rent Transition (IRT) for DHAP-Ike families?
A: Families can be determined exempt from the IRT on the basis of economic hardship as defined by HUD.
 
Q: If a family enters a Public Housing Authority (PHA) seeking DHAP-Ike assistance, and is not in the Disaster Information System (DIS), where should the family be referred?
A: The family should be referred to FEMA by calling 1-800-621-FEMA (3362)
 
Q: If a family is listed in DIS, and is not assigned to a PHA, who can assign the family to a PHA?
A: Only HUD and HUD contractors may assign or re-assign a family to the PHA.
 
Q: If a family refuses to participate in case management services, are they still eligible for DHAP-Ike assistance?
A: No. If the family refuses case management services, the PHA must inform the family that they will not be able to participate in DHAP-Ike. Additionally, the PHA must request a signed and dated statement acknowledging the family understands that as a result of their refusal to comply with these requirements, the family may not participate in DHAP-Ike or any other FEMA housing program.
 
Q: Is the PHA responsible for providing housing search assistance to the family?
A: Yes. The PHA is responsible for such assistance. Once a unit is located, the PHA may help facilitate the execution of the lease.
 
Q: If the owner of a unit is unwilling to participate in DHAP-Ike, can the family receive DHAP-Ike assistance while residing at that unit?
A: No. If the owner is unwilling to participate, the family must move to receive DHAP-Ike assistance. If the family chooses to stay at the unit they will be terminated from DHAP-Ike.Additionally, if eligible applicants actively seek and find housing prior to contact from the PHA, in a unit that currently is not listed, call HUD’s Referral Call Center 1-866-373-9509 to let them know. The PHA may encourage the landlord to register to participate in DHAP-Ike. Registering is a simple process that offers the landlord incentives to participate. Landlords can go to the HUD Web site at http://www.hud.gov/offices/pih/publications/ike.cfm for a sample rental agreement. For rental rates, landlords can contact their local PHA.
 
Q: What steps should the PHA take if the family wishes to move to another unit, or the owner does not want to participate in DHAP-Ike (or the owner will not take steps to bring the unit up to compliance)?
A: The PHA will inquire if the family wishes to move to another unit in the PHA’s jurisdiction, move back to the pre-disaster jurisdiction, or another jurisdiction to receive DHAP-Ike assistance. If family wishes to remain in the PHA’s jurisdiction, the PHA will provide the family with housing search assistance. If the family wishes to move to a different jurisdiction, the PHA is responsible for identifying the DHAP-Ike administering PHA.  Additionally, eligible applicants can live in a community outside of the disaster area and DHAP-Ike will subsidize their rent anywhere in the United States. If housing resources become available a year from now, applicants can move back to the area if suitable housing is available.
 
Q: Can a DHAP-Ike eligible family live in a unit owned by a relative?
A: If the owner of the property is a parent, child, grandparent, grandchild, sister, or a brother of any member of the family, then the DHAP-Ike eligible family may not reside in the unit and receive DHAP-Ike assistance. However, if the PHA determines that approving the unit, notwithstanding such relations, would provide reasonable accommodation for a family member who is a person with disabilities.
 
Q: Under DHAP-Ike, what is the ratio of case managers to participants?
A: The overall PHA ration of case managers to participants shall not exceed 1:50.
 
Q: Does DHAP-Ike provide security deposit assistance?
A: Yes. Security deposit assistance is provided assuming the family has asked for it and certifies that the assistance is needed. Once completed, the PHA may make payment directly to the landlord on behalf of the family. The security deposit is limited to applicable Fair Market Rent for the unit published in the area. However, the landlord is not limited to the FMR and request a higher amount. In this instance, the difference in allowable amount must come from other sources (i.e. the family). Once the family vacates he unit, the owner must return the money to the PHA less any amounts the owner could retain under the terms of the lease and state and local laws.
 
Q: Does DHAP-Ike provide utility deposit assistance?
A: Yes. Utility deposit assistance, including connection fees, is provided for families assuming they have asked for it, and certified that they are in need of assistance. The maximum utility deposit is limited to $400 for the family. The PHA may pay the utility deposit assistance directly to the utility companies or may pay the assistance to the family, provided the PHA verifies the family paid the utility deposit.
 
Q: If the family composition changes after Nov. 1, does FEMA approve the change in family composition?
A: Assuming the Head-of Household as designated by FEMA remains in the family, FEMA does not approve a subsequent change in family composition. If the family member designated as the Head-of-Household dies or otherwise leaves the DHAP-Ike, the remaining family members may be still eligible for continued DHAP-Ike assistance. At least one remaining family member must have been part of the family originally determined eligible by FEMA (as evidenced by the original family record in DIS) and must have legal capacity to enter a lease under state and local law. If these conditions are met, the PHA will continue to assist the family. However, if none of the original family members have such legal capacity under state and local law, the family is not eligible for continued DHAP-Ike rental assistance. Should the family wish to add a new member with legal capacity to enter into a lease, the PHA will report the proposed change in family composition to HUD by contacting HUD. HUD in turn will contact FEMA to make the final determination as to whether the family, with such a change in composition, is eligible for continued assistance under DHAP-Ike. FEMA will advise the family of the final determination and HUD will advise the PHA of the FEMA determination. The new family member with legal capacity must agree to and follow the family obligations.
 
Q: Are PHAs required to conduct a full or limited HQS inspection of an eligible DHAP-Ike unit?
A: The PHA, initially, must conduct at a minimum a limited inspection to ensure the unit’s current condition does not contain any life-threatening deficiencies.
 
Q: Are PHAs required to conduct subsequent HQS inspections?
A: The PHA is not required to conduct further inspections for the unit on a periodic or annual basis. However, the PHA may, at any time as needed, inspect a unit to determine if the unit is in compliance with the application inspection standards as determined by the PHA.
 
Q: How does a PHA determine a family’s continued eligibility for DHAP-Ike assistance after July 31, 2009?
A: The family must demonstrate that their current housing costs exceed 30 percent of their current monthly income as required by FEMA. The PHA will use the family’s annual income divided by 12. Housing costs are defined as:
·         Current rent for the DHAP-Ike unit in which the family is residing
·         Mortgage payments, if any, on the family’s primary pre-disaster residence, including principal, interest, real estate taxes, real property insurance and the cost of utilities
 
 
To Remain DHAP-Ike Eligible:

• Tenants must abide by the terms of the lease and maintain the unit in good condition;
• Tenants must participate in case management services;
• When IRT begins, tenants must agree to pay their portion of rent on time and in full;
• Tenants must accurately and honestly certify the receipt of benefits from either U.S. Small Business Administration loans, insurance proceeds or any other duplication of benefits.

For questions or more information about DHAP-Ike, contact HUD's Referral Call Center (RCC) between 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. at 1-866-785-3239 or 1-866-373-9509, or visit www.hud.gov/offices/pih/publications/ike.cfm
 

For more information on Houston Housing Authority, call 713-260-0500 or visit www.housingforhouston.com
 

For more information on Harris County Housing Authority, call 713-578-2100 or visit www.hchatexas.org
 

For more information on Galveston Housing Authority, call 409-765-1900 or visit www.ghatx.org