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D.C. Municipal Regulations (Last Updated: September 13, 2017) |
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Title 29. PUBLIC WELFARE |
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Chapter 29-25. SHELTER AND SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FOR INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES |
Section 29-2542. PSH PROGRAM – UNIT IDENTIFICATION AND ACCEPTANCE
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2542.1Participants in the PSH Housing Program shall accept a unit that passes a housing inspection and meets the Rent Reasonableness Standard.
2542.2A PSH Program participant shall be assigned one (1) unit in the available unit inventory list. The Program shall consider the participant’s stated needs and preferences when assigning the unit to the extent possible considering the PSH Program inventory and the housing market. Participants may also find a unit of their choice, as long as such unit passes a housing inspection required by the PSH Program and does not exceed the Rent Reasonableness Standard for their household size.
2542.3To facilitate timely unit identification and entry into the PSH Housing Program, the participant shall:
(a)Make a reasonable effort to complete the housing subsidy program’s application or placement requirements. For purposes of this subsection, failure to take tangible steps towards obtaining or supplying items necessary to complete the requirements of the program may be considered not making a reasonable effort;
(b)Make a reasonable effort to meet with the PSH Program’s representative in a timely manner to view a unit. For purposes of this subsection, refusal to meet with the Provider’s representative three (3) times without good cause shall be considered not making a reasonable effort;
(c)After viewing a unit, assist the PSH Housing Program to submit a timely and complete application to the landlord; and
(d)Accept a unit that meets the Rent Reasonableness Standard for their household size.
2542.4If an individual or family fails to make a reasonable effort to complete any of the requirements set forth in Subsection 2542.3, the PSH Program may discontinue the placement process for that individual or family.
2542.5The PSH Program shall give written and oral notice to clients of discontinuation of the placement process at least fifteen (15) days before the effective date of such discontinuation.
2542.6The PSH Program’s written notice to an individual or family of discontinuation of the placement process shall be on a form prescribed by the Department and shall include:
(a) A clear statement of the effective date on which the placement process will be discontinued;
(b) A clear and detailed statement of the factual basis for the determination that the individual or family has failed to make reasonable efforts to meet the requirements of Subsection 2542.3, including the date or dates upon which the determination is based;
(c) A reference to the statute, regulation, or Program Rule pursuant to which the discontinuation is based;
(d) A statement that a reasonable effort by the individual or family to meet the requirements of Subsection 2542.3 prior to the effective date of discontinuation of the placement process shall result in a withdrawal by the Program of the Notice of Discontinuation; and
(a) A clear and complete statement of the client’s rights to appeal the discontinuation through a fair hearing and administrative review, including deadlines for instituting the appeal.
2542.6An individual or family for whom the PSH Program has discontinued the placement process pursuant to Subsection 2542.4 shall not have a right to continue the placement process during the appeal.
2542.7An individual or family for whom the PSH Program has discontinued the placement process pursuant to Subsection 2542.4 may resume the placement process at any time if ready to accept a unit and the Program has an uncommitted housing placement available. For purposes of this section, an available uncommitted housing placement means that the Program has an available subsidy and is not currently working with an individual or family for whom the subsidy is allocated.
2542.8The PSH Program shall not be obligated to provide placement services to any individual or family issued two (2) or more Notices of Discontinuation of Placement Services.
2542.9The PSH Housing Program shall assist any participant, at any time, to move to an alternate unit as long as the PSH Program or the participant is able to ensure that the participant:
(a)Exits the existing lease with the landlord according to the terms of the lease or receives the landlord’s written approval to exit the lease without financial cost to the Program;
(b)Identifies an alternate unit that passes a housing inspection and does not exceed the HUD Fair Market Rent standards for their household size;
(c)Submits an application to the landlord within the necessary timeframe; and
(d)Accepts the alternate unit and provides the PSH Program with all necessary information regarding the new unit.
2542.10Once housed, if requested by the participant, the PSH Housing Program may assist the participant to identify an alternate unit that better meets the participant’s needs, to the extent possible, considering the availability of units within the PSH Program housing inventory and considering the needs of new applicants.