Program Description

The City of Newport News has received federal funding from the Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Homelessness Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP). HPRP is focused on housing for homeless and at-risk households. It will provide temporary financial assistance and housing relocation and stabilization services to individuals and families who are homeless or would be homeless but for this assistance.

The funds under this program are intended to target two populations of persons facing housing instability:

• Individuals and families who are currently in housing but are at risk of becoming homeless and need temporary rent or utility assistance to prevent them from becoming homeless or assistance to move to another unit (prevention), and
• Individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness (residing in emergency or transitional shelters or on the street) and need temporary assistance in order to obtain housing and retain it (rapid re-housing).

The program will provide financial and other assistance to prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless and help those who are experiencing homelessness to be quickly re-housed and stabilized.

Minimum Requirements for Program Participants

In order to receive financial assistance or services funded by HPRP, individuals and families-whether homeless or housed-must at least meet the following minimum requirements:

• Any individual or family provided with financial assistance through HPRP must have at least an initial consultation with a case manager or other authorized representative who can determine the appropriate type of assistance to meet their needs.
• Any individual or family receiving medium-term assistance (assistance beyond three months) must be evaluated and re-certified as eligible every three months.
• The household must be at or below 50% of Area Median Income (AMI).
• The household must be either homeless or at risk of losing its housing and meet both of the following circumstances:
  • No appropriate subsequent housing options have been identified; and
  • The household lacks the financial resources and support networks needed to obtain immediate housing or remain in its existing housing.

Program Participating Organizations

LINK of Hampton Roads-Homeless Prevention
Contact: Regina Harrison, 246-0066 or Lynne Finding, 595-1953 (Ext. 202)
10413 Warwick Boulevard, Newport News, 23601
Website: www.linkhr.org

Office of Human Affairs (OHA)-Homeless Prevention
Contact: Terri Francis, 247-0379, ext 303
Administrative Offices: 2410 Wickham Avenue, Newport News, 23607
Housing Services: 392 Maple Avenue, Newport News, 23607
Head Start: 610 Hampton Avenue, Newport News, 23607
Children's Services: 616 16th Street, Newport News, 23607
Website: www.ohainc.org

Transitions Family Violence Services-Homeless Prevention and Rapid re-Housing
Contact: Sylvia Freeman,722-2261
Mailing Address: P.O. Box 561, Hampton, 23669
Website: www.transitionsfvs.org

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