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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 29-78. FAMILY RE-HOUSING AND STABILIZATION PROGRAM |
Section 29-7801. APPLICATION PROCESS
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7801.1Each FRSP application shall be in writing on a form provided by the Department and signed by the applicant, and submitted to the Eligibility Provider. An authorized representative may apply on behalf of the applicant, if the applicant provides a written and signed statement stating why he or she cannot apply in person and the name and address of the person authorized to act on his or her behalf.
7801.2If an applicant with a disability or the authorized representative of an applicant with a disability requests assistance to complete the FRSP application, the Provider shall assist such applicant or authorized representative with the application process to ensure that the applicant has an equal opportunity to submit an application.
7801.3 The Department shall provide FRSP application forms to the Eligibility Provider to use, and to disseminate to applicants, and the Eligibility Provider shall accept applications from each applicant who requests or is referred for FRSP assistance.
7801.4 At the time of application, the Eligibility Provider shall provide each applicant with a written FRSP notice explaining the program. Each applicant shall personally, or through an authorized representative, sign an FRSP notice acknowledgement form, acknowledging receipt of the FRSP notice. The FRSP notice shall contain a description of the Program, the Eligibility Provider and Service Provider’s responsibilities, the applicant’s rights and responsibilities, grievance procedure and the Program requirements, including that receipt of FRSP assistance is conditioned upon actively seeking housing and completing the steps necessary to lease and move into an FRSP-approved housing unit in a timely manner (approximately thirty (30) days from the date of the Notice of Eligibility), absent a good cause reason for delay. For purposes of this section, “good cause” shall include delays caused by actions or inactions of persons outside of the applicant’s control.
7801.5As part of the application process, each applicant, personally or through an authorized representative, shall sign an FRSP release form authorizing the Eligibility Provider to obtain or verify information necessary for processing the application.
7801.6As part of the application process, each applicant shall provide the following information to the Eligibility Provider to determine if the applicant is eligible for the Program:
(a) What circumstances brought about the applicant’s experience of homelessness, or imminent risk of homelessness;
(b) Willingness to actively engage in the application process; and
(c) Documentation of the following:
(1) Household composition;
(2) Employment status and employment history;
(3) Income and financial assets history;
(4) Household expenses;
(5) Rental and other relevant housing history;
(6) Facts and circumstances surrounding financial and other barriers to housing stability; and
(7) Facts and circumstances surrounding work experience, education, or training that can contribute to the household’s ability to achieve housing stability independent of the Program by the end of the FRSP period.
7801.7The request for documentation under § 7801.6(c) may be waived if the applicant signs a declaration containing the necessary information listed in § 7801.6(c).
7801.8If additional information is needed from the applicant to determine eligibility for the Program, the Eligibility Provider shall make the request, in writing, for additional information, which shall specify the information needed to complete the application. The written request shall also include information to assist the applicant with obtaining the required information and/or offer appropriate assistance in obtaining the required information. The application shall be considered complete when all required information is provided to the Eligibility Provider.
7801.9The Eligibility Provider may use, among other things, documents, telephone conversations, personal and collateral interviews, reports, correspondence, and conferences to verify applicant information.
7801.10If an applicant has not obtained and provided to the Eligibility Provider the required information for eligibility determination under § 7801 within thirty (30) days of the date of application, then the Eligibility Provider is responsible for making documented efforts to contact the applicant both by telephone and in writing upon the completion of the thirty (30) days of the date of application, to discuss if services are still needed and discuss any barriers that are delaying the requested documentation. If, at such time, contact with the applicant is made and services are still requested, the Eligibility Provider will take appropriate steps to assist the applicant in obtaining the required information. If, at such time, contact cannot be made, or the applicant no longer requests the services, an application shall be considered abandoned.