Homeless prevention and rehousing Reno or Washoe County.
Rather than try to rehouse the homeless, the main goal in Washoe County and Reno is to prevent it in the first place. There is assistance for tenants, homeowners, seniors that can no longer live independently, and really anyone in danger of losing their home due to financial or other reasons. Or relocation help from Washoe Affordable Housing Corporation (WAHC) can help residents move. The primary homeless prevention programs (whether financial aid or counseling) are noted below.
There are a wide range of agencies in the community that offer this support. It is often part of a Continuum of Care, Social Services or the United Way as well as Washoe Affordable Housing Corporation, as these groups (as well as others) advocate for the needs of low income tenants and homeowners. The best place to call for advice is the countywide intake line from WAHC, and the phone number is below.
Financial resources
Homeless prevention will sometimes include financial assistance. This will be either a grant (which does not need to be repaid) or a low interest loan. The exact form will depend on the applicant's circumstances. But this type of aid will also include the advice/counseling as follows.
No matter which is explored as part of the Washoe Affordable Housing Corporation or County Social Services homeless prevention program, there will need to be both a Client Contribution as well as agreed upon case management plan. The contribution needs to start in a clearly defined time-frame, as the initial crisis is being resolved. The range of contribution can start at 25% and maybe increase to as much as 75%.
There needs to be a time frame agreed to in which the client of any Washoe County homeless prevention program can sustain their housing on their own, either paying full rent or mortgage. They also need to show the ability to cover energy bills, food costs, and much more.
Washoe County homeless prevention may offer the following types and amounts of funds. The assistance can be short term or one time rental arrears assistance (often at most $1500), and this may cover deposits on both security or utilities. Some application fees on a lease may be paid too. If a deposit is paid, then the amount needs to be reasonable as well as standard. It needs to be market rates in Washoe County for electric, water, gas and sewage.
No matter what type of expense is paid, it is a last resort. ESG grants from agencies in Reno or loan programs are only an option if other funds in the Washoe County community have been exhausted. So before a group such as the Salvation Army or WAHC pays money out, every single alternative needs to have been applied too including loans for borrowers with no credit. The same applies to other Continuum of Care affiliated organizations in Washoe County.
Advice and homeless prevention counseling services
All clients use the Washoe County case management process to determine if (1) a rehousing or relocation assistance program will be a good solution for them and (2) what caused the crisis to begin with. It will need to be reviewed to see if the client qualifies for any aid. The assessment goes over more than one topic. It will:
-Evaluates the struggling families barriers to housing.
-The agency in question will also give an outline to the client for an individualized housing services program.
-Enrollment into WAHC Financial Guidance Center services for budgeting and money management help.
Rehousing as well as homeless prevention includes services necessary to assist program participants in locating, obtaining, and (critically) keeping suitable permanent housing. If the applicant is not stable, and able to live on their own, then the likelihood of being given support will be minimal.
.This form of counseling at the Financial Guidance Center or partner agencies is ongoing too. Some case management services last for up to 180 days. It will be enabled during the period participant is seeking permanent housing. Or it may last from 1 to 2 years after they have moved into the new home or apartment. No matter what barrier comes up (whether legal, employment, excessive debt, etc.) this is covered as part of Washoe County foreclosure as well as eviction prevention.
Applying for rehousing or homeless prevention in Washoe County
For more details on this program, as well as referrals to what agencies may participate, dial social services at (775) 785-5641, WAHC at (775) 334-3199 or 211. Callers will be referred to a partner of the Washoe County homeless prevention.
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