For those at risk of losing their housing: Application process for HOP rental assistance

HOP is currently taking applications for rental assistance. **Please note that HOP has limited funds and will not be able to grant assistance to all applicants.**

Eligibility requirements:

  • We require that you or someone in your family is directly involved in or served by a PBHA Program (https://tinyurl.com/PBHA-Programs)

  • We accept both individuals and families

  • We do not accept full-time college or graduate students

  • Though there are exceptions, applicants must be facing eviction or at risk of facing eviction or becoming houseless to be eligible for an emergency rental assistance grant

The process for applying for HOP rental assistance consists of four key steps (explained below). We do our best to overcome language barriers throughout the process, and accommodate all language preferences of our applicants, including but not limited to English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Mandarin, Haitian Creole, and Cape Verdean Creole.

  1. Referral/Interest Form

    • Potential clients can be directed to HOP through a referral from a PBHA staff member, volunteer, community member, or other client.

      OR 

    • Potential clients can express interest in applying for rental assistance by filling out our interest form which requests basic information about the client and their housing situation. 

  2. Consultation (Optional)

    • Consultations are 1 on 1 meetings between a potential client and a HOP staff member. The basic purpose of the consultation is to give the potential client time to share their experiences and address topics that were not included in the interest form. Consultations also give potential clients the chance to ask any questions they may have about HOP. Typically, these are conducted over the phone, but a potential client can also request a written consultation form. Additional people may be involved in this meeting if needed (e.g. translator, family member, etc). The consultation is optional but recommended for those whose situation is more complex and think it would be helpful to explain it over the phone rather than only in writing. Applicants who choose not to participate in a consultation will not be put at a disadvantage in the decision process.

      Based off the information we have gathered from the interest form and possibly a consultation, we will inform the potential client if they are eligible to apply for assistance from HOP. If they are eligible, they will be able to fill out an intake application. If they are not eligible, a HOP staff member will offer resources and help direct them to other potential sources of aid. 

  3. Intake Application

    • Eligible applicants are sent an intake application form to fill out. Applicants have the option to walk through the intake application on the phone with a HOP staff member.

    • Applicants will be notified by email of the decision HOP has reached on their case within a week of filling out the intake application. 

      1. If HOP decides to move forward with the applicant, they will be contacted with further details. 

      2. If HOP decides not to move forward with the applicant, then a HOP staff member will help identify other resources for assistance. 

  4. Fund Disbursement

    • The awarded amount in rental assistance is disbursed to the client’s landlord or property manager and, in turn, the client.

    • Checks to landlords will be sent in the mail 2-3 weeks after initial contact between HOP and the client.