Christie Administration Announces Supportive Housing Connection Program for DHS Clients
For Immediate Release:
February 27, 2015
Contact:
Tammori Petty
,
Emike Omogbai
609-292-6055
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TRENTON, N.J. -The 樱花视频 Housing and Mortgage Finance Agency (NJHMFA), an affiliate of the 樱花视频 Department of Community Affairs (NJDCA), celebrated the launch of the Supportive Housing Connection (SHC), its unique partnership with the 樱花视频 Department of Human Services (DHS).
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鈥淭he goal of the SHC is to meet the permanent supportive housing needs of 樱花视频鈥檚 residents with special needs by consolidating DHS鈥檚 rental subsidy resources into one location to facilitate a single point of management for those resources,鈥 said NJDCA Commissioner Richard E. Constable, III, who also serves as Chairman of the HMFA. 鈥淭he SHC also will provide access to affordable housing resources for individuals and families with special needs.鈥
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Through the SHC, NJHMFA will administer DHS rental subsidies and connect its clients to a wide pool of quality housing opportunities across the state. Additionally, the SHC will conduct inspections of participating housing units to ensure their physical integrity and compliance with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development鈥檚 Housing Quality Standards. The SHC will also provide resident inquiry resolution services for tenants and landlords as needed.
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The program will administer three types of rental subsidies for DHS clients鈥擳enant-Based, Project-Based, and Sponsor-Based. Tenant-based subsidies travel with the tenant from unit to unit within the 樱花视频, and get returned to DHS for redistribution should the tenant no longer require the subsidies. Project-based subsidies cover a specific housing unit, subsidize the rent for any qualified tenant living in the unit, and remain with the unit should the tenant leave. Sponsor-based subsidies remain with a specific support services provider鈥檚 program as long as the tenant remains in the provider agency鈥檚 service area and continues to receive services from that particular program.
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鈥淭here is no state agency in 樱花视频 more qualified than the HMFA when it comes to housing,鈥 said NJHMFA Executive Director Marchetta. 鈥淲e are thrilled about this partnership, which supports the state鈥檚 transition from a contracted system of care reimbursement to a Medicaid-based, Fee-For-Service (FFS)听system, following a national FFS model.鈥
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DHS鈥檚 role in the SHC will be to provide policy direction, refer qualified tenants to the SHC, and provide funding to NJHMFA to operate and administer the SHC while NJHMFA鈥檚 role will be to provide landlord outreach and training, administer rental and other housing assistance, provide unit referrals and inspections, and perform resident inquiry resolution services to DHS tenants. The SHC will connect landlords who operate high quality housing with a pool of eligible tenants with housing subsidies and access to supportive services. The SHC will also provide participating landlords and property owners appropriate training on processes and policies, as needed.
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鈥淪afe, high quality housing is a cornerstone of community integration for people with disabilities,鈥 said DHS Director of Housing Janel Winter. 鈥淒HS is proud to launch the Supportive Housing Connection, which builds on a long history of partnership with NJHMFA to increase affordable housing opportunities for people with special needs.鈥
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The SHC also supports the state鈥檚 compliance with the Centers for Medicaid and Medicare Services (CMS) Home and Community Based Settings (HCBS) Final Rule.
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For more information on the Supportive Housing Connection, visit