DHCD Housing Stabilization Notice 2013-02: HomeBASE Transition to Emergency Assistance

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DHCD

Introduction

This Housing Stabilization Notice (HSN) is intended to clarify how families in the time-limited HomeBASE Rental Assistance (HBRA) program who have reached the end of their 24-month subsidy are to be considered if they re-apply for Emergency Assistsance (EA). In summary:

  • HBRA participants who are in good standing at the end of their 24-month HB leases (or shorter rental period if they choose to convert from HBRA to HB Household Assistance (HA) before the end of the 24-month term) will:
    • receive a waiver allowing them to access EA without waiting for eviction (details provided below under Discussion: HomeBASE Rental Assistance participants in good standing at the end of their 24-month benefit, p. 3);
    • receive a waiver allowing their EA applications to be processed through an expedited electronic application process without going to the local Transitional Assistance Office (TAO) for 30 calendar days from the last day of their HBRA benefit (details provided below under Discussion: HomeBASE Rental Assistance participants in good standing at the end of their 24-month benefit, pp. 3); and
    • receive a waiver allowing them to access EA for up to 12 months after the end of their HBRA benefit, regardless of their housing situation during the interim, so long as they otherwise qualify for EA, they have not obtained subsidized housing, they are not facing homelessness again for a disqualifying reason (see 760 CMR 67.06(2)), and they have not been terminated from or are not pending termination from HomeBASE (details provided below under Discussion: HomeBASE Rental Assistance participants in good standing at the end of their 24-month benefit, p. 4). 
  • HBRA participants who have been terminated for cause prior to the end of their 24-month HBRA terms or who are facing termination for cause determined to be justifiable at the end of their 24-month HB benefit will not be eligible for EA. 

This HSN should be treated as containing the three universal waivers summarized above. Former Moving to Economic Opportunity (MEOP) participants will also receive similar waivers.

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