The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has granted the City of Topeka $1.7 million to bolster its initiatives for homeless housing and service programs, specifically through Shelter Plus Care. Furthermore, an additional $51,737 in planning funds has been allocated to assist the city’s homeless population. This significant funding highlights the ongoing commitment to addressing homelessness and providing crucial support through programs like the Shelter Plus Care Voucher Program.
What is the Shelter Plus Care Voucher Program?
Shelter Plus Care is a vital program designed to offer rental assistance to individuals experiencing homelessness who also live with disabilities. The program primarily focuses on those with severe and persistent mental illnesses, chronic substance abuse issues, or HIV/AIDS and related conditions. A key aspect of the shelter plus care voucher program is participant choice. Individuals can select housing units from landlords who agree to accept the housing subsidy and adhere to the program’s guidelines.
This rental assistance provided through the shelter plus care voucher program delivers the consistent financial underpinning necessary for participants to maintain stable housing. This stability allows them to focus on personal growth and work towards greater financial independence and self-sufficiency. Participants contribute approximately 30% of their adjusted monthly income towards rent, making the housing affordable and sustainable.
However, participation in the shelter plus care voucher program is contingent upon engaging with supportive services. While the intensity of these services is tailored to individual needs, each participant must meet with their primary service provider at least once a month. Active participation in these supportive services and demonstrated progress towards self-sufficiency are essential for continued enrollment in the shelter plus care voucher program. Failure to meet these requirements may unfortunately lead to termination from the program. For more detailed information, you can consult the Shelter Plus Care brochure.
Who is Eligible for the Shelter Plus Care Voucher Program?
To qualify for the Shelter Plus Care (SPC) voucher program, applicants must satisfy specific eligibility criteria. These conditions ensure that the program effectively serves its intended population. The requirements are as follows:
- Adult Status: Applicants must be adults, aged 18 years or older. This ensures the program is directed towards adults experiencing homelessness and disability.
- Homelessness Definition: Applicants must meet HUD’s definition of homelessness, which includes:
- Living in places not designed for human habitation, such as streets, parks, or abandoned buildings.
- Residing in emergency shelters.
- Discharge from an institution (like hospitals or correctional facilities) after less than 30 days, where homelessness existed prior to entering the institution.
- Disability Requirement: Applicants must have one of the following diagnosed disabilities:
- Severe and Persistent Mental Illness: This includes conditions that significantly impact daily functioning.
- Chronic Alcohol and/or Drug Abuse: This refers to ongoing and serious issues with substance dependence.
- AIDS or Related Disease: This includes individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS or related health conditions.
- Case Management Services: Applicants must be receiving case management services from one of the designated agencies. These agencies provide crucial support and coordination of care. Approved agencies include:
- Positive Connects
- Valeo Recovery Center
- Valeo Behavioral Health Care
- Veterans Administration
- New Dawn Recovery and Wellness
How to Access Shelter Plus Care Services
The Shelter Plus Care voucher program operates through a referral system. It exclusively accepts referrals from the case management agencies listed above. Individuals interested in accessing the shelter plus care voucher program should contact one of these agencies to determine their eligibility and initiate the referral process.
For potential landlords interested in participating in the shelter plus care voucher program, and learning how to rent their properties to program recipients, please call 785-368-3711 for further information. Landlord participation is crucial to the success of the shelter plus care voucher program, providing much-needed housing options for vulnerable individuals.
Annual Progress Reports
(This section is present in the original article, but without content. It is omitted here as it is not essential information for understanding the program for a general audience and to maintain focus on the core aspects of the shelter plus care voucher program.)
