Housing Support Services

Qualifications

In order to qualify for financial assistance or services, individuals and families must:

• Reside in the Blue Ridge Continuum of Care service area. The designated service area includes the counties of Alleghany, Botetourt, Craig, Roanoke, and the cities of Covington, Roanoke, and Salem.
• Must be unhoused or at risk of losing housing
• Have no appropriate housing options that have been identified
• Lack financial resources and support networks needed to obtain immediate housing or remain in existing housing
• Meet income requirements (vary by program)

Any family or individual who is provided services must have an initial consultation with a case manager or other authorized representative who can determine the appropriate type of assistance needed. We do not have access to transitional or temporary housing. If you need emergency housing, please contact your local shelter.

Types of Assistance

Prevention Services (At Risk)

Our goal is not just to provide you with temporary financial assistance to maintain your housing; rather, we want to help you create a stable, long-term housing situation.

To best help those at risk of becoming unhoused, our Housing Support Services coordinates referrals through Central Intake to ensure that resources are reaching the most at-risk households.

This program requires a referral* from Central Intake. Participants must meet the HUD definition of “at risk” status (contact us for definition) and must have no other existing sources of support, financial resources, or other appropriate housing options. If eligible, you may receive both financial assistance and housing stability case management services at the same time. You may decline to receive services, but you may no longer receive financial assistance at any point that you decline case management services.

The following documents are needed for screening for Prevention Assistance:

• Social Security Cards (Household)
• ID for household members 18+
• Intent to rent form
• Lease with signatures (Client’s name must be on lease)
• Pay stubs or benefit statement
• Current bank account balance (printed)
• Court documents
• Proof of eviction if doubled up
• Documentation of rent and utilities owed (client’s name must be on bills)

*Note: A referral does not guarantee financial assistance. In accordance with grant guidelines, at any point in the referral/intake process, information regarding your income, housing status, additional resources, etc. that is provided or discovered could mean you are not eligible for prevention assistance.

Rapid Re-Housing (Currently Unhoused)

Through the Rapid Re-Housing program (RRH), short-term financial assistance and connection to services are available for individuals and families that are currently unhoused and have limited resources to obtain housing on their own.

Referrals for RRH must come from an emergency shelter or a street outreach program staff member. At the time of referral, potential clients must meet the HUD definition of “homelessness”, which includes living in an emergency shelter, sleeping in a place not meant for human inhabitation (streets, cars, etc.), or fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence.

Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)

Our Housing Support Services offers short-term utility and/or rental assistance to families or groups who have at least one member of the household living with HIV/AIDS who has experienced an emergency that has made them unable to meet their expenses.