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I am a single mother of two children. I am receiving unemployment, working odd jobs and have been working on my own business. But it has been very overwhelming and I have not been able to keep up with all of my bills and now I find myself behind in my rent. Although I have been paying off my rent and have asked for assistance it has been a struggle. I have two weeks to come up with $4606.00 or to show some proof that I can present to the housing court judge that states that the balance of my rent will be paid off by an organization or person/s. I have asked for help from two organizations but one can only give me one months rent which is $1144.51. I can pay one months rent by 8/31/10. The other origination takes 60 days before they can tell me if they can award me $2316.98. I don't have enough time to wait this long! I don't have anywhere to go if I don't come up with the money! I am really in need of some help!!! Please if anyone can assist in any way I would greatly appreciate it whether it be a donation or advice.

I am the mother of 2 phenomenal children! My little girl (always be little to me) is 12, and my baby boy is 7. My son has a rare bleeding disorder. He has hemophilia type B. This is a genetic disorder, in which the person doesn't clot on their own. He needs very expensive factor infusions, due to the factor IX deficiency. He normally doesn't have many bleeding episodes. However, in the last 2 months he has had a torn muscle which caused a bleed needing multiple infusions to control, and had kissing tonsils that were scheduled to be removed the end of May, and due to the obstructive sleep apnea they had to move the surgery up. He had his tonsils and adenoids removed at the local children's hospital on May 11. He was inpatient for 3 days due to the bleeding, then was home for 5 days. We are back in the hospital AGAIN... The scab (eschar) fell off prematurely due to the hemophilia, and he had a severe bleeding episode. He was in Trauma in the emergency dept. and is now inpatient. I am a month behind on my rent. I am also on my 2nd disconnect notice with the electric company. We are recovering from an eviction in late December. I do not qualify for Emergency assistance thru the state. I am scared! My children are my life and the adjustment to moving mid-school year has been very difficult. If i could just get caught up on these 2 things i could make it ok. The co-pays for everything have been financially devestating. I have given up on leisure for the sake of my children, as any parent does. I am not blowing money. I just need a hand UP! Can anybody help?

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 Housing Assistance - Rental Assistance Program (RAP)
 
Housing Services | How to Apply | Section 8 | (RAP)
Security Deposit | (T-RAP) | Housing Sub-Contractors
 
 
What are RAP certificates?

The Rental Assistance Program (RAP) is the major state-funded program for assisting very-low-income families to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Participants find their own housing, including apartments, townhouses, and single-family homes. The participant is free to choose any private rental housing that meets the requirements of the program, as described below. RAP certificates are funded through the Department of Social Services (DSS) and are administered statewide by DSS and its agent, J. D’Amelia & Associates (JDA). JDA subcontracts operation of the housing choice program to seven local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) and one Community Action Agency throughout Connecticut.

A family that is issued a RAP certificate is responsible for finding a suitable housing unit of the family's choice where the owner agrees to rent under the program. This unit may include the family's present residence. Rental units must meet minimum standards of quality and safety as defined by the State of Connecticut, which has adopted the federal Housing Quality Standards (HQS) as determined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). A housing subsidy is paid by JDA to the landlord directly on behalf of the participating family. The family then pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program.

Who is eligible?

Eligibility for a RAP certificate is determined based on the household's annual gross income and the state's definition of a family. Participation is limited to U.S. citizens and specified categories of non-citizens who have eligible immigration status. In general, the family's income may not exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which the family chooses to live. Connecticut has adopted the median income levels published by HUD, and these vary by location throughout the state.

During the application process, information on family composition, income, and assets will be collected by the PHA. The PHA will verify this information and use it to determine the family's eligibility and the amount of their housing assistance payment. If the PHA determines that a family is eligible, the PHA will place the family on a waiting list, unless it is able to assist them immediately. Once a family is chosen from the waiting list, the PHA will contact them and issue them a certificate.

How does a family apply?

The Department of Social Services will re-open the waiting list to accept applications when most people on the waiting list have been served. When the list is about to be opened, a notice and pre-application form will be placed in local newspapers as well as on the DSS web-site.

The waiting list -- what is it and how does it affect me?

Since the demand for housing assistance often exceeds the limited resources available, long waiting periods are common. In fact, the state may close the RAP waiting list when it has more families on the list than can be assisted in the near future. The waiting list is closed and not expected to reopen for at least two years.

RAP Certificates - how do they function?

The Rental Assistance Program places the choice of housing in the hands of the individual family. A very-low-income family selected by JDA to participate is encouraged to consider several housing choices to secure the best housing for its needs. A certificate holder is advised of the unit size for which their family is eligible, based on family size and composition. The housing unit selected by the family must meet an acceptable level of quality and safety before the PHA can approve the unit. When the certificate holder finds a unit that she or he wishes to occupy and reaches an agreement with the landlord over the lease terms, the PHA must inspect the dwelling and determine that it meets housing quality standards (HQS).

The PHA determines a maximum allowable rent (MAR) that is the amount generally needed to rent a moderately-priced dwelling unit in the local housing market. This MAR is used to calculate the amount of housing assistance a family will receive. The MAR does not limit the amount of rent a landlord may charge, but it does limit the amount of rent a tenant may pay. A family receiving a certificate can select a unit with a rent that does not exceed the MAR.

The rent subsidy

The PHA calculates the maximum amount of housing assistance which a family may receive.

A family pays 40% of its monthly income on rent and utilities, while elderly and disabled families pay 30% of their monthly income.

Can a family move and continue to receive housing choice voucher assistance?

A family's housing needs change over time with changes in family size, job locations, and for other reasons. The Rental Assistance Program is designed to allow families to move without the loss of housing assistance. Moves are permissible as long as the family notifies the PHA ahead of time, terminates its existing lease within the lease provisions, and finds acceptable alternate housing. Under the Rental Assistance Program, new certificate-holders may choose a unit anywhere in Connecticut.

Roles - the tenant, the landlord, the housing agency, and DSS

Once a PHA approves an eligible family's housing unit, the family and the landlord sign a lease. At the same time, the landlord and the PHA sign a housing assistance payments (HAP) contract that runs for the same term as the lease. This means that everyone - tenant, landlord and PHA -has obligations and responsibilities under the Rental Assistance Program.

Tenant's Obligations: When a family selects a housing unit, and the PHA approves the unit and lease, the family signs a lease with the landlord for at least one year. The tenant may be required to pay a security deposit to the landlord. After the first year, the landlord may initiate a new lease or allow the family to remain in the unit on a month-to-month lease. When the family is settled in a new home, the family is expected to comply with the lease and the program requirements, pay its share of rent on time, maintain the unit in good condition, and notify the PHA of any changes in household income or family composition.

Landlord's Obligations: The role of the landlord in the Rental Assistance Program is to provide decent, safe, and sanitary housing to a tenant at a reasonable rent. The dwelling unit must pass the program's housing quality standards and be maintained up to those standards as long as the owner receives housing assistance payments. In addition, the landlord is expected to provide the services agreed to as part of the lease signed with the tenant and the contract signed with the PHA.

Housing Authority's Obligations: The PHA administers the Rental Assistance Program locally. The PHA provides a family with the housing assistance that enables the family to seek out suitable housing. The PHA also enters into a contract with the landlord to provide housing assistance payments on behalf of the family. If the landlord fails to meet the owner's obligations under the lease, the PHA has the right to terminate assistance payments. The PHA must reexamine the family's income and composition at least annually and must inspect each unit at least annually to ensure that it meets minimum housing quality standards.

DSS's Role: The Department contracts with John D'Amelia & Associates to administer RAP for the state. DSS also develops policies and procedures, provides technical assistance to JDA and its subcontractors, and monitors administration of the program to ensure that program rules are properly followed.

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Content Last Modified on 4/17/2007 8:02:37 AM



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See above for information about Emergency Rental Assistance in Idaho. And that is not all some have phone numbers for meals on wheels, thrift stores, transportation and more so click the link.

These agencies and Information and Referral Centers can help you make ends meet.
-       Ada County Welfare (208) 364-2367
-       Bannock Youth Foundation
-       Community Connections - Magic Valley Regional Medical Center
-       Eastern Idaho Community Action Partnership (EICAP)
-       El-Ada (208) 377-0700
-       Idaho Careline
-       Jesse Tree (208) 383-9486
-       Southeastern Idaho Community Action Agency
-       Treasure Valley Community Resource Center (TVCRC)

Sigh.. I work full time in sales, more and more hours than anyone should work... Income has dropped to almost nothing... I need help with Rent and Food and Gas and Electric bills... I am at my end end end...

Total I only need about $500.00 and hopefully that would get me back on my way..  Problem is I need it now

:-(

Hi Im 26 and my wife is 22 we have a 2 yr old daughter and a lil one on the way, I was recently  laid off and my wife is unable to work due to her pregnancy, we really need help our rent is 895.00 a month and we have no income and im very scared that were going to lose everything please someone help, im in good shape quick learner college educated, let me know what you need and ill do just need to provide for my family.

Hello, my name is Joe f. I am in school, doing well academicly, but financialy crushed. I have two kids and am now despreate to get a little help. I have done every thing to keep a roof over our heads and now have run out of options to find money. I have done many odd jobs for people in my community, mostly assisting in remodling in homes. I have not been able to find work lately, So anything to get through the month of december would be great. I would just like some assistance in rent,electric bill. Please help if you can. peace and love. Joe F.

Hi my name is Charles, im a disabiled person who has been going to college and trying to establish a new career and now that I have only one more year to go and I have lost my job last month and since I am disabiled it's very hard to get another job, my last one paid under the table and it took me 2 1/2 years to get that one. The School went up 400%  on tuition, and social security cut my check over 100.00. so now Im behind on everything and the late frees andpenalities are killing me. I am behind on everything, rent, utilities, car, and credit cards. my car payment is 328.00 and as of the 10th of November I will behind payments the utilities are behind 213.00 my rent is behind 700.00 and my credit cards are now behind 710.00 with all the penalities and Im over drawn n my account and only have till the 20th to cover it or I lose my account, If that happens I lose my was of getting my social security. Until social security and send me a printed check which may take months.

I feel like I am so close to becoming a person with a education that would be able to get a good job, but everything has went down hill. I tried to get food stamps and they told me that I got too much in disability and I only get 845.00 to pay for everything. If  any one can please help once I get back on my feet I will retun the favor to someone else in need. I know that I dont have as big as problem as others and I thank my stars for that, but I just need a little help! So any thing that you can send me no matter how large or small would be greatly appreciated!

I'm a 37 year old mother of 3 who needs help paying my rent this month. My husband left us without a word 3 years ago and was just recently heard from again. I still don't know where he is and my lawyer can't do anything about getting child support. I get $50 a week from DHS to help support my kids. I work full time for $8.00 per hour after having to drop out of nursing school to support my family. I'm about to take on another full time job on top of the one I have now. I will be working from 6:30 am to midnight every day except Sunday when I'll be working from 4 pm to midnight. The bills have finally stacked up on me and I need to find anyway I can to pay my rent for the month of September. I already have a notice on my door. I have asked friends but they are barely making it themselves. My rent is $639. I will pay back every cent if there is anyone who can help me.

I desperately need help.  My husband had a stroke June 25th and has had two "mini" strokes since that time.  We had just moved back here after being in Georgia for 4 years caring for his mother.  He will be unable to work for at least another 4 to 6 months.  I am looking for work, but our financial situation is so bad that most days I don't have the gas to do that.  We have filed for disibility but that takes months and we don't think he is going to qualify since he is expected to recover fully before a year has passed.  During the last nine weeks we have received help from many sources.  Churches have provided food, help with medication, rental assistance and help with gas.  Unfortunately, we are in a small town and we have now tapped out the available resources here.  Also, because of our age (53) and the fact that we do not have children under the age of 18 we do not qualify for most of the programs out there. We have been blessed with a wonderful landlady who has done her very best to keep a roof over our heads, but she has reached her limit.  We now owe her $1500.00.  She has given us until 3:00pm today to come up with a substantial portion or we will have to leave.  This would put us in our truck.  I realize we would still be in better shape than a lot of people out there, but with my husband ill we really need to have a roof over our heads.  We aren't looking for anyone to provide us with any financial help directly, but rather someone who could pay our landlord.  Any advice you can give us about handling this situation is greatly appreciated.

This picture is horrible.This picture is 5 months old. But I wanted to show you how sick I am and the machines that help me breath. I have COPD with emphsema,I am dieabetic I am in a wheelchair when I leave the apartment. I am 50 Years old and have 2 children my daughter is 14 and my son is 12. I am disabled and collecting SS. I am house bound and can not drive and I have no surport from my family. Everyone was with me when they told me my TB test was positive then things went down hill from there. Others illnesses were listed and we then went to disability. This month I had to buy more meds because of a infection Medicaid only pays for 2 to 3 name brands then they have to be no name brands. I had to borrow money to buy the meds. after I pay back the money I will be short to cover my rent after all the other bills are paid. I am on HUD so it isn't the full rent. My portion of the rent is $188.00. Please someone read this I need help.

I have add a picture to my profile. I wanted you to see my without the tubes. For when I go to sleep I have a different machine. C-pap. I stop breathing in my sleep. And I have narcolepsy. take care be safe

My name is Tina.  I took care of my dad for 5 years-24 hours a day.  He paid our bills and I did all the work.  He passed away on 2-20-08.  I have been going downhill since then.  I am homeless right now.  I do get a disability check monthly, medical disability, and food stamps. But because I had to get my car fixed and had a speeding ticket and court costs, I lost my home.  I would be fine if I could rent a place.  But I can't get any of my things until I have an address.  I only have 2 weeks left to have an address.  I am scared to death.  I need approximately $500.00 to get on my feet and then I will be able to pay my bills and rent.  Please help.  I have called every agency and church in the phone book.  No funds for help.  I also have very bad health problems, 5 diseases in my back, a collapsed hip, two torn rotor cuffs, and on and on.   Hopefully someone out there can help me.  Tina M. Gruden  440-428-0987 or tgruden@aol.com or tina_gruden@yahoo.com.  God Bless All and hopefully God will bless me.

my family and I are 2 months behind on our rent.which comes to about $1200.00 per month.my family includes myself ,my wife and daugter.We all work ,but we are all getting parttime hours because of turndown in economy.Dont want to go back to being homeless again.If anybody can help us out in this situation please contact me at shanekailimai@yahoo.com or call 808-217-9743 ask for (shane)  even willing to make monthly payments to pay back money if necessary.thank you for your help.