EMERGENCY HOUSING VOUCHER PROGRAM
The Emergency Housing Voucher (EHV) program is a voucher program funded through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA). ARPA was signed into law on March 11, 2021 and included funding for approximately 70,000 EHVs. HUD announced EHV awards on May 10, 2021 and the Orange County Housing Authority (OCHA) was allocated 557 EHVs.
EHVs are to assist individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness; at risk of homelessness; fleeing, or attempting to flee, domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, or human trafficking; or were recently homeless and for whom providing rental assistance will prevent the family’s homelessness or having high risk of housing instability.[1]
In order to ensure those most in need are assisted first, HUD requires a partnership with the Continuum of Care (CoC) and/or other organizations for direct referrals.
For individuals or families who believe they may be eligible for the EHV program, please dial 2-1-1. 2-1-1 staff will provide a link to the appropriate provider for a connection to CES.
Eligibility and selection criteria: The CoC, through the Coordinated Entry System (CES), will determine whether the individual or family qualifies under one of the four eligibility categories mentioned above and provide verification and supporting documentation of that determination to OCHA. Referrals to the Emergency Housing Vouchers are being made in accordance to the Coordinated Entry System (CES) Prioritization Policy for all eligible populations. The CES Prioritization Policy creates a prioritization schema that focusses on serving those with the longest lengths of homelessness and highest vulnerabilities with available housing resources.
For reference the CES Prioritization Policy can be found here - //www.ochealthinfo.com/sites/hca/files/import/data/files/119100.pdf
Upon receipt of the referral from CES, OCHA will make a determination of eligibility to receive housing assistance, if eligible, an EHV will be issued to the individual or family.
It is likely that most people eligible for this resource are already connected to the CES and will be referred by CES access point case managers assigned to provide housing support and connection.
[1] Notice PIH 2021-15
California Emergency Solutions and Housing (CESH)
The California Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD) administers the California Emergency Solutions and Housing (CESH) program with funding received from the Building Homes and Jobs Act Trust Fund (SB 2, Chapter 364, Statutes of 2017) to assist persons experiencing homelessness, or at risk of homelessness.
As authorized by SB 850 (Chapter 48, Statutes of 2018), the California Emergency Solutions and Housing Program (CESH Program) is a $53 million grant program designed to provide direct assistance to cities and counties to address the homelessness crisis throughout California. Administrative entities are eligible to receive program funding based on the following formula:
- The 2017 Point-In-Time Count.
- The number of extremely low-income households in rental housing that pay more than 50 percent of household income on rent.
- The percentage of households below the federal poverty line.
On August 15, 2018, HCD issued a NOFA for the state funds allocated to the CESH program. The total allocation to the County of Riverside is $1,344,336.00.
Eligible Uses
- Rental assistance, housing relocation and stabilization services.
- Operating subsidies for new and existing affordable permanent housing units.
- Flexible housing subsidy funds that establish or support the provision of rental subsidies in permanent housing.
- Operating support for emergency housing interventions.
- Systems support for activities necessary to maintain a comprehensive homeless services and housing delivery system, including Coordinated Entry System (CES) data, and Homeless Management Information System (HMIS) reporting.
- Develop or update a Coordinated Entry System (CES), if the CoC does not have a system in place.
- Development of a plan addressing actions to be taken within the CoC Service area, if no such plan exists.
On October 12, 2018, DPSS, as the designated Administrative Entity for the County of Riverside Continuum of Care, submitted an Application for the California Emergency Solutions and Housing (CESH) program funds to HCD through a collaborative effort with the County’s Continuum of Care (CoC). The CoC is a network of private and public sector homeless service providers, designed to promote communitywide planning and the strategic use of resources addressing homelessness.
On August 6, 2019, the County of Riverside, Department of Public Social Services, executed the Standard Agreement (Grant Agreement) with the Department of Housing and Community Development (HCD). The expenditure deadline is 90 calendar days prior to August 6, 2024 (Expiration Date). However, according to the subrecipient’s project application, it is anticipated that the projects will be completed within 24 months.
CESH Program page:
//hcd.ca.gov/grants-funding/active-funding/cesh.shtml