1. Living in Communities (LINC) Rental Assistance Program
December 16, 2014

2. LINC IV LINC IV is designed to assist homeless seniors.
Client must currently reside in a DHS shelter, safe haven, drop-in center (or be on an outreach caseload) and must have resided there prior to December 1, 2014.
One member of the household must be at least 60 years old.
Household must be eligible for Temporary Assistance (PA) or receive Federal benefits (SSI, SSA, SSD, VA).
Priority will be given to households with the longest homeless histories.
Household may receive annual renewals if the total household income does not exceed 200% of the poverty guideline.  

3. LINC V
LINC V is designed to assist working singles and adult families.
Clients must currently reside in a DHS shelter, safe haven, drop-in center (or be on an outreach caseload) and must have resided there prior to December 1, 2014.
At least one adult member of the household must be employed at least 30 days before certification (FT or PT).
The household must be in receipt of Cash Assistance or have a Single Issuance (SI) case.
The total household income cannot exceed 200% of the Federal Poverty Guideline (see Attachment A) for the family size.
The household may receive up to four 1-year renewals if the household maintains employment and the total household income does not exceed 200% of the poverty guideline.

4. LINC IV and V Opportunities
LINC IV and V programs are designed to be flexible.
Clients have the option of renting an apartment with “enhanced maximum rents” up to Section 8 levels; or
Clients can enter into shared living arrangements or rented rooms. The maximum rental assistance for these arrangements is $800 per month.
In all cases, the client contribution will be equal to 30% of gross household income (earned and unearned).

5. LINC Process
HRA will identify eligible clients. DHS OIT will generate and post certification letters on the Remote Access Folder (S:Drive).
Certification letters are valid for 90 days. DHS will send out an blast when certification letters have been posted to the Remote Access Folder.
Shelters will submit completed apartment registration form with completed OSD package to DHS for review.
DHS will review the package and send the package to HRA for clearance, inspection and checks.
Once checks are made available, DHS will schedule the lease signings.

6. Maximum Rents
The following chart reflects the enhanced maximum rent amounts for LINC IV and LINC V.
Family Size 1 2 3 4 5 6
Enhanced maximum rents LINC IV
$1268
$1515
$1956
Enhanced maximum rents LINC V
$1213
1515

7. Sample Budget A Sample budgets for LINC V is shown below.
The following is a sample tenant contribution and subsidy amount for a LINC V apartment. Contribution and maximum rent will be based on the household income and family size.
Family Size:
Enhanced Maximum Rent: $1,268
Monthly Household Income: $1,320
Monthly Tenant Contribution (30%): $396
Monthly Rental assistance: $872
The Office of Housing & Program Planning will be responsible for processing requests for the LINC IV and V. Designated shelter staff will submit a leasing package with all required documents to the Special Projects Unit for review. The unit will review the leasing package to ensure that all documents have been submitted and that they are complete and accurate.  

8. Provider Process
All providers should identify clients where one member of the household is 60+ OR has employment income. These clients should be sent to HRA to: 1) Open a PA case; and 2) Have their case budgeted.
Clients should bring proof of income (1 month of pay stubs) or SSI/SSD award letter to their HRA appointment. For Adult Family Households, all members of the household must provide income documentation.
All Providers will receive an blast stating that certification letters for eligible LINC IV and LINC V clients have been posted to the Remote Access Folder (S:Drive). All Providers should ensure that they have access to the Remote Access Folder.
In preparation for the implementation of the LINC rental assistance programs, DHS recommends that Providers meet with the landlords and brokers with whom they have developed relationships. The purpose of the meeting is to ensure your contacts are knowledgeable of the rental assistance programs by reviewing the LINC Rental Assistance Program.

9. Provider Process
Upon receiving the blast Providers are to initiate the following steps:
Print Certification letters.
Meet with clients to discuss the eligibility criteria for their rental assistance program.
Review the certification letter to ensure the information is accurate.
If the certification letter is correct:
The Provider is to give the household a copy of the certification letter, the appropriate fact sheets for the household and landlord as well as the forms that need to be completed by the family member(s), landlord and broker.
The Provider is to task the household on the ILP to begin conducting a minimum of 3 housing searches per week and submit proof.
The Provider is to assist the client with housing search.

10. Provider Process
If the certification letter is inaccurate the Provider is to contact their Program Analyst & Administrator.
The Provider is to monitor the PA status of each household utilizing the Client Profile System (CPS) at a minimum weekly to ensure:
The PA case is in Active status.
There are no pending actions that would effect LINC eligibility.
No family members are sanctioned.
If a Provider does not have access to CPS or is having difficulty accessing CPS, contact your Program Analyst.

11. Rental Process
When a client has found an apartment and the landlord has agreed to rent to the client, the provider should submit a Leasing Package to the Special Projects Unit. The leasing package consists of the following documents:
LINC Request Form
LINC Payee Form (to identify which person/entity is to be paid)
Residency Letter
Copy of Certification Letter
Employment Verification (Pay stubs/letter from employer)
Award Letters (SSI/SSD, etc.)
Program Tenant Statement of Understanding (LINC IV, V)
Taxpayer ID & Certification Form (W9)
Landlord Letter (Intent to Lease)
Landlord Statement of Understanding (LINC IV, V)
Apartment Registration Form (Inspection Request)
Standard for Permanent Housing Checklist (completed for room rentals only)
Broker Request for Payment (W147j)
Copy of Broker License

12. Rental Process
For Apartment rentals, HRA will review the leasing package. If the leasing package is deemed complete an apartment inspection will be scheduled within 48 hours. DHS will inform the landlord/broker, shelter contact of the outcome of the inspection.
If the apartment does not pass inspection all parties will be notified and the landlord will have 5 days to complete the repairs. If the repairs are not completed within 5 days the client will be delinked from the apartment and the leasing package rejected.
If the apartment passes inspection HRA will schedule a lease signing and notify the landlord, DHS, shelter contact and the household. Client should start packing as soon as they are notified that the apartment has passed inspection.

13. Provider Role in the Rental Process
Provider staff must escort clients to the lease signing. All family members must be present to sign the lease. Client will receive the lease and keys to their apartment at the lease signing. Providers are to place a copy of the lease in the case record.
Providers are to ensure that clients are logged out the day of their move to permanent housing using the LINC IV or V exit codes.

14. Aftercare
Shelter/ safe haven/ drop in center and outreach providers will be expected to provide up to one year of aftercare. DHS will provide funding at a level of $200/ per client per month. (Roughly 20 placements = 1 FTE aftercare worker)
Additional supports will be provided by HRA and DFTA

15. Federal Poverty Guidelines 200%
Attachment A Federal Poverty Guidelines Effective 7/1/2014 – June 30, 2015
Household Size
Federal Poverty Guidelines 200%
Annual
Monthly
Twice monthly
Bi-weekly
Weekly 1
23,340
1,946
974
898
450 2
31,460
2,622
1,312
1,210
606 3
39,580
3,300
1,650
1,524
762 4
47,700
3,976
1,888
1,836
918 5
55,820
4,652
2,332
2,148
1,074 6
63,940
5,330
2,666
2,460
1,230 7
72,060
6,006
3,004
2,772
1,386 8
80,180
6,682
3,342
3,084
1,542
Each additional family member add
8,120
678
340
314
158

16. Frequently Asked Questions
What is LINC?
Answer: It is a Rental Assistance Program that targets specific homeless populations, and stands for Living in Communities.
 Who determines eligibility for any of the Programs?
Answer: HRA/DHS
 How do I become eligible for LINC IV and V?
Answer: a) currently be in a DHS Shelter or in a street/outreach program b) for LINC IV one member of the household must be 60+ c) for LINC V one member of the household must be employed; c)must have an active Temporary Assistance or Single Issuance Case.
How will I get my certification letter?
Answer: Certification letters can be accessed via the DHS Remote Access folder/S Drive.

17. Frequently Asked Questions
How is client contribution determined?
Answer: HRA calculates client contribution based on the budgeted income.
How much is the broker fee?
Answer: A check in the amount of one month’s rent.
 What happens if a client loses employment while residing in their apartment?
Answer: The family is still responsible for paying their contribution. Clients should contact their former shelter for Aftercare assistance.
 How does the rental assistance work with undocumented working clients?
Answer: They maybe eligible as long as the income is budgeted by HRA and they meet all other requirements.

18. Frequently Asked Questions
What if you think a client is eligible but a letter does not generate?
Answer: Call your Program Analyst & Administrator
 Where do you submit a lease package?
Answer: Special Projects Unit
 How long does the inspection take?
Answer: 2 business days after HRA has approved the package
 How long do we wait for a lease signing date?
Answer: After successful inspection you will be contacted by HRA to schedule a date. All lease signings will be held at 109 East 16th Street

19. Frequently Asked Questions
Can the Broker come to the lease signing?
Answer: Yes if they have power of attorney for the landlord
The certification is valid for how long?
Answer: Ninety (90) Days
If the client does not secure an apartment by the 90th day, is the client still eligible?
Answer: A new certification will generate if the client meets the eligibility criteria for LINC.

20. Frequently Asked Questions
What is 200% of the poverty guideline?
Answer: See attached table on page 15
Is Parks Employment being considered income?
Answer: No. Subsidized employment is not considered income for LINC.
What if my client is a citizen but has off the books income?
Answer: Income must be budgeted by HRA in order to be considered.
Can the rental assistance be used outside of NYC?
Answer: No, only EOSD can be used outside of NYC.

21. Frequently Asked Questions
Will clients receive after care information at lease signing?
Answer: Yes, at lease signing shelter contacts will be provided to the client for Aftercare services.
When will clients that moved to permanency be notified of the renewal process?
Answer: HRA will notify families three (3) months prior to the end of the Lease

22. Frequently Asked Questions
Will DHS have Housing Fairs to match clients with Landlords and Brokers?
Answer: We encourage Providers to have housing fairs to continue to increase their relationships with landlords and Brokers as they have been doing. DHS will provide housing resources as they become available.
How will I know if my family is eligible for Temporary Assistance (PA) in the community?
Answer: HRA makes the determination

23. Frequently Asked Questions
When will furniture money be available?    
Answer:   At lease signing
What happens if a certified client hasn’t moved within 90 days?
Answer: If still eligible, they will be re-certified for another 90 days.  However, you should be meeting with all certified clients regularly to assist them to secure housing as soon as possible - LINC funding is limited.

24. Frequently Asked Questions
When can we inform clients about LINC?
Answer: Immediately.  You can begin to identify potential clients by reviewing LOS, income, and client demographics reports.  Again, eligibility is determined by HRA and only certified clients are eligible for rental assistance, but you can make sure each client has their income budgeted and that their TA case is AC or SI.