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This SiteUpdated: 08.16.04
HOPWA-STAP Program Handbook for Case Managers
Eligibility RequirementsExtremely Low Income Component
Family Unit StatusTypes of Grants Assistance Available:
Move-In Grants
Shallow Grants
Required Documents for Move-In Grant Application
Required Documents for Section 8 Move-In Grant Application
Required Documents for Shallow Grant Application
Case Manager Check List
Client Checklist
The objective of the Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS (HOPWA) Short-Term Assistance Program (STAP) is to provide short-term rent, mortgage, and utility payments to persons who are diagnosed HIV positive symptomatic, with AIDS or HIV positive asymptomatic with an unrelated disability; to encourage them to move into and/or maintain safe, stable, and affordable housing to prevent homelessness.
Types of Grants Available
Types of Grants Maximum Amount Specific Documents Required by Each Grant Type Move-in
Rent, Utility Switch-on (Gas, Electric), phone switch-on$1800 individual every 12 months.
$2700 family unit every 12 months.Move-in letter from owner stating move-in costs, address and name of owner of property. Utility/telephone documentation. Shallow subsidy
Rent/Mortgage, Utilities (Gas, Electric), Telephone$600 individual every 90 days
$900 family unit every 90 daysA rent/lease agreement, mortgage company bill is required as well as current bill from appropriate utility company, and the telephone company. Back to Top
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The HOPWA STAP is a federally funded program that provides short-term rent, mortgage, and utility payment assistance to persons who are diagnosed HIV+ symptomatic, HIV+ symptomatic with an unrelated disability or AIDS.
The following are extremely important factors you must understand:
- Every application is considered on an individual basis.
- Qualification for the program process does not guarantee approval.
- Acceptance of one grant does not guarantee additional grants.
- Many factors are considered prior to acceptance or denial of any application.All AIDS Service Providers (ASOs) comply with the guidelines set by the HOPWA STAP Central Coordinating Agency (CCA). In order to apply for a STAP grant, you should get a referral from your Case Manager every fiscal year. Once you meet with a Housing Specialist and ALL of the required documents have been provided, they will submit your application to the CCA as soon as possible. If you do not bring ALL the required documents at the time of your appointment, you will be rescheduled. Checks are usually available within 15 working days after the application is completed. If the CCA request additional information or documents to complete your application, the application process will be delayed. Your application cannot be submitted to CCA until you have provided us with ALL the program's required documents.
We strongly recommend that you do not rely on this assistance as it can be delayed or denied for several reasons beyond our control. Please budget your finances accordingly and pay your rent on time (regardless of the status of your application) to avoid receiving an eviction notice from your landlord. If you are applying for a move-in grant, we don't recommend that you pay your move-in expenses, as HOPWA doesn't reimburse paid move-in expenses.
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Click here for a printable list of agencies that provide access to the HOPWA-STAP program.
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Back to Housing Programs pageApplicants must be:
- Diagnosed HIV+ symptomatic, or diagnosed with AIDS, or HIV+ asymptomatic with an unrelated disability. A person with a disability must be receiving other private or public disability insurance. Clients must provide an original proof of diagnosis which must be signed by a physician licensed by the State of California. A diagnosis that is faxed from the physician's office is acceptable only if a coversheet is also transmitted with the fax date and phone number printed at the top of the cover page.
- Must have a source of income
- Clients must be living in, or moving to, Los Angeles County.
- Have a monthly income that does not exceed 50% of the median income in the Los Angeles area as defined annually by HUD:
Family Size City of Los Angeles - Maximum Allowable
Monthly IncomeCity of Los Angeles - Maximum Allowable
Annual IncomeCounty of Los Angeles - Maximum Allowable
Monthly IncomeCounty of Los Angeles - Maximum Allowable
Annual IncomeOne $1,592 $19,100 $1,646 $19,750 Two $1,817 $21,800 $1,879 $22,550 Three $2,046 $24,550 $2,117 $25,400 Four $2,271 $27,250 $2,350 $28,200 Five $2,454 $29,450 $2,538 $30,450 Six $2,633 $31,600 $2,725 $32,700 Seven $2,817 $33,800 $2,913 $34,950 Eight $2,996 $35,950 $3,100 $37,200
Spending no more that 75% (or 80% if utilities are included in rental payment) of his/her adjusted income for rent/mortgage. Then rent-to-income ratio is 90% for the Extremely Low Income Component (ELIC).Adjusted income for the purpose of this program is defined as monthly net income (if employed) less monthly medical insurance payments, monthly Medi-Cal share-of-cost payment, or monthly "out-of-pocket" medication related to their HIV status. Documentation for any of these adjustments must be in the client file.
Clients who are under investigation for, or have committed, questionable activity in the 2006-07 STAP funding cycle or during any previous HOPWA STAP program year, are NOT eligible for assistance.
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EXTREMELY LOW INCOME COMPONENT (ELIC)
ELIC Is a new component of the HOPWA STAP program. It was created to assist individuals with monthly incomes of less than $400. The purpose of this component is to provide move-in and/or shallow grants to persons with extremely limited monthly incomes that may not otherwise qualify because their rent-to-income ratio is too high (e.g. individuals on GR).
Policies for ELIC:
- Monthly adjusted income must not exceed $400 (may include food stamps - adjusted to 50% of their value).
- Spending no more than 90% of his/her adjusted income for rent/mortgage (including utilities).
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Family Unit is defined as "a household composed of two or more related persons." The term family also includes one or more eligible persons living with another person(s) who are determined to be important to their care or well being, and the surviving member(s) of any family described in this definition who were living in a unit assisted under the HOPWA program with the eligible person at the time of his/her death."
A Family Unit is defined as one adult with children or two adults with or without children, living in the same residence in a committed relationship, who are financially and emotionally dependent upon each other and who are not simply roommates. A family may exist between a man and a woman, two women, two men, or any such combination with children.
Children are defined as a person under the age of 18. Do not include children when pro-rating rent or other expenses.
Roommate is defined as a person who shares the rent with other adults. The rent must be divided evenly between all adults in the residence. (Form H).
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TYPES OF GRANT ASSISTANCE AVAILABLE
There are two types of grant assistance available to eligible individuals: move-in grants and shallow grants.
Move-in grants: For cost including, but not limited to, security deposit, first month's rent, and utility switch-on (may include balance at previous residence if new utilities can't be switched on until the balance is paid). The maximum amount allowed during the HOPWA STAP funding cycle is up to $1,800 per individual and up to $2,700 for family units.
- Applicants securing move-in grants are eligible for additional assistance (shallow grant) 6 months after the date of the move-in grant was issued; and if they want to apply for another move-in grant they must wait 12 months to apply again.
- A maximum of $50 can be used for telephone service switch-on.
- After a client is approved and receives a Section 8 Move-in Grant, that client will not qualify for a HOPWA STAP Assistance Grant.STAP grants: To pay rent and utilities.
- STAP grants may be accessed every 90 days (from the date of the last check). The maximum amount available for each shallow grant is $600 for individuals and $900 for individuals applying as Family Unit status.
- STAP grants are not available to clients who receive Section 8 assistance.
- A maximum of $50 can be used to pay a telephone bill.
An individual cannot receive more than $2,400 in grants during the 2005-06 STAP funding cycle. A family unit cannot receive more than $3,600 in grants during the 2005-06 STAP funding cycle. Applicants who receive a maximum move-in grant may be eligible for an additional shallow grant if there are more than 180 days left in the 2005-06 STAP funding cycle.
Eligible individuals may access both the move-in grant and the STAP grants. For clients accessing both types of grants, a maximum of $2,400 is available in the 2005-06 STAP cycle.
All information submitted for a HOPWA STAP grant application is subject to investigation by the Central Coordinating Agency.
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REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR A MOVE-IN GRANT APPLICATION
Required documents for a Move-In Grant are different depending on whether this is the first grant the client will receive under the 2005-06 HOPWA STAP program.
If the client is requesting a move-in grant as the first grant of the 2005-06 HOPWA STAP, all of the following documentation is required as stated below.
Proof of Diagnosis
- If the applicant is a registered client of APLA, the diagnosis on file must be appropriate for HOPWA, this must be determined by the client's case manager.
- If the applicant is not a registered client of APLA, the client's physician must complete Form F.
Proof of Income
Any one of the following which must be dated within the last three months:- Award letter from SSI, SSDI, SDI, AFDC, or GR
- One month's pay stubs or letter from employer on company stationery
- Copy of the most recent income tax return
- A bank statement, complete with all pages
- If none of the above are applicable, Form G
Photo Identification
Any one of the following:- California Driver's License
- California Identification
- Passport
- Disabled ID
- Bus Pass
- Notarized Photograph
- If none of the above are applicable, letter of verification signed by a family member and client's case manager.
Housing Verification Form C
Form C must be filled out and signed by client's prospective landlord.If Client is Requesting Grant Assistance for Utility Switch-On
One of the following which must be either in the client's name at the new residency address. If client lives with roommate(s) he/she will be eligible only for their pro-rated portion of utility switch-on costs.- Notice of estimated cost of switch-on from utility company; and/or
- current utility bill
If Client has (a) Roommate(s)
Form H must be completed and signed by client's roommate(s). Though this form states that completion is required only if the rent is not evenly divided, this form is actually required for ALL roommate situations. Proof of residence is also required.If Client is Self-Employed
Form G must be filled out and signed by client.If a Client is Applying Under Family Unit Status:
- If two adults are part of the Family Unit, clients must provide:- Proof of income for all family members; and
- any two of the following as documentation of their Family Unit status:
- Marriage Certificate Executed health care or financial power of attorney, naming the other as agent
- Designation of the other as beneficiary in a will, life insurance policy, 401(k), IRA accounts, etc.
- Joint bank accounts or credit cards
- Jointly signed lease or utilities under both names
- Recognized registration as a domestic partnership
- If children are part of the Family Unit, clients must provide
- Proof of income for all family members, including children; and
- Any one of the following for each child claimed as a dependent as documentation of their Family Unit status:
- Birth certificate
- Social Security card
- Court orders
- The most recent tax return showing the child(ren) as dependent
- Child's Immunization Record
The following documents must be provided within 30 days of grant assistance: If this following documentation is not provided when a client returns to the program to apply for another grant, the grant application will NOT be processed until such documentation is supplied.
- Copy of lease or rental agreement.
The lease or rental agreement must be between the landlord and/or property management company and the client or family to whom assistance was granted and must show the same amount of rent as that which was reported on the grant application.- Proof of residence,
Any one of the following which must be in the client's name at the new residency address:- Utility Bill
- Bank Statement
- Any "government" document
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REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR A SECTION 8 MOVE-IN GRANT APPLICATION
Required documents for a Section 8 Move-In Grant are different depending on whether this is the first grant the client will receive under the 2005-06 HOPWA STAP program. If the client is requesting a Section 8 Move-In Grant as the first grant of the 2005-06 HOPWA STAP, all of the following documentation is required as stated below:
Same as required documents for move-in grant, plus:
- Housing Verification Form C8
Form C8 must be filled out and signed by client's prospective landlord.- Section 8 Certificate and Request for Lease Approval (RLA)
A client may make an appointment with a HOPWA Counselor only after the property has passed inspection.Back to Top
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REQUIRED DOCUMENTS FOR A STAP GRANT APPLICATION
Required documents for a STAP Grant are different depending on whether this is the first grant the client will receive under the 2005-06 HOPWA STAP funding cycle.
- If the client is requesting a STAP Grant as the first grant of the 2005-06 HOPWA STAP funding cycle, all of the following documentation is required as stated below.
- If the applicant previously received a Move-In Grant or a Section 8 Move-In Grant and has not already provided the Proof of Residency and Lease or Rental Agreement (which must be provided within 30 days after receiving the grant), an application for another STAP grant will not be started.
Proof of Diagnosis
- If the applicant is a registered client of an AIDS Service Organization, the diagnosis on file must be appropriate for HOPWA, which should be determined by the client's case manager.
- If the applicant is not a registered client of an AIDS Service Organization, the client's physician must complete Form F.
Proof of income
Any one of the following which must be dated within the last three months:
- Award letter from SSI, SSDI, SDI, AFDC, or GR
- One month's pay stubs or letter from employer on company stationery
- Copy of income tax return- Complete bank statement, if any of the government assistance is direct deposit
- If none of the above are applicable, Form G
Photo Identification
Any one of the following:
- California Driver's License
- California Identification
- Passport
- Disabled ID
- Bus Pass
- Notarized Photograph
- If none of the above are applicable, letter of verification signed by a family member and client's case manager.
Copy of Lease or Rental Agreement
Client must provide a valid lease or rental agreement. The lease or rental agreement must be between the landlord and/or property management company and the client or family to whom assistance is to be granted and must show the same amount of rent as that which is being reported on the grant application.
Name of Property Owner
Client must provide the name of the owner of the property for which grant assistance is requested. Checks may be made payable to an authorized management company, but the name of the owner is required for verification.
Proof of residence
Any one of the following which must be in the client's name at the new residency address.
- Utility Bill
- Bank Statement
- Any "government" document
If Client is Requesting Grant Assistance for Utility Bills
Client must provide a current bill from the utility company, which must be either in the client's name or in the name of a roommate who is noted both on the rental agreement and on the HOPWA STAP application. Clients are eligible only for their pro-rated portion of utility switch-on costs.
If Client has (a) Roommate(s)
Form H must be completed and signed by client's roommate(s).
If Client is Self-Employed
Form G must be filled out and signed by client.
If a Client is Applying Under Family Unit Status:
- If two adults are part of the Family Unit, clients must provide:- Proof of income for all family members; and
- any two of the following as documentation of their Family Unit status:
- Marriage Certificate Executed health care or financial power of attorney, naming the other as agent
- Designation of the other as beneficiary in a will, life insurance policy, 401(k), IRA accounts, etc.
- Joint bank accounts or credit cards
- Jointly signed lease or utilities under both names
- Recognized registration as a domestic partnership
- If children are part of the Family Unit, clients must provide
- Proof of income for all family members, including children; and
- Any one of the following for each child claimed as a dependent as documentation of their Family Unit status:
- Birth certificate
- Social Security card
- Court orders
- The most recent tax return showing the child(ren) as dependent
- Child's Immunization Record
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Required documents for a Section 8 Move-In / Required Documentation Per Grant Type
Documents Move-in Grant Section 8 Move-in Grant Shallow Grant Case Management Verification (Form 1) X X X Consent to Release Information and Income Certification (Form E) X X X Family Unit Status Documentation (if applicable) X X X For utility bill assistance, current bill or notice from utility company X X X Housing Verification form/Move-In Letter (Form C) X
Housing Verification Form/Section 8 Move-In Letter (Form C8)
X
Individual Housing Plan X X X Intake Form (Form D) X X X Letter of Intent to return security deposit (Form J) X X X Medi-Cal share of cost or health insurance payment X X X Mortgage statement
Photo Identification X X X Proof of diagnosis X X X Proof of income X X X Proof of residence Due within 30 days of grant Due within 30 days of grant X Rent/Lease Agreement Due within 30 days of grant Due within 30 days of grant X Request for Lease Approval (RLA)
X
Roommate Rent Verification (Form H) if rent is not equally prorated among roommates. X X X Section 8 certificate
X
STAP Grant Request (Form B) X X X STAP Program Access Form (Form A) X X X Worksheet for Determining Certificate Contract Rent
X
Client Checklist - (pdf file) Adobe Acrobat required to view