Living in Communities

(LINC)
Rental Assistance
Program
December
16, 2014

LINC IV

LINC IV is designed to assist homeless seniors.

Client must currently reside in a DHS shelter, safe

haven, drop-in center (or be on an outreach caseload)
and must have resided there prior to December 1,
2014.

One member of the household must be at least 60

years old.

Household must be eligible for Temporary Assistance

(PA) or receive Federal benefits (SSI, SSA, SSD, VA).

Priority will be given to households with the longest

homeless histories.

Household may receive annual renewals if the total

household income does not exceed 200% of the

LINC V

LINC V is designed to assist working singles and adult

families.

Clients must currently reside in a DHS shelter, safe

haven, drop-in center (or be on an outreach caseload)
and must have resided there prior to December 1,
2014.

At least one adult member of the household must be

employed at least 30 days before certification (FT or
PT).

The household must be in receipt of Cash Assistance or

have a Single Issuance (SI) case.

The total household income cannot exceed 200% of the

Federal Poverty Guideline (see Attachment A) for the
family size.
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LINC IV and V Opportunities

LINC IV and V programs are designed to be flexible.

Clients have the option of renting an apartment with

enhanced maximum rents up to Section 8 levels; or

Clients can enter into shared living arrangements or

rented rooms. The maximum rental assistance for
these arrangements is $800 per month.

In all cases, the client contribution will be equal to 30%

of gross household income (earned and unearned).

LINC Process

HRA will identify eligible clients. DHS OIT will generate and post
certification letters on the Remote Access Folder (S:Drive).

Certification letters are valid for 90 days. DHS will send out an
e-mail blast when certification letters have been posted to the
Remote Access Folder.

Shelters will submit completed apartment registration form with

completed OSD package to DHS for review.

DHS will review the package and send the package to HRA for
clearance, inspection and checks.

Once checks are made available, DHS will schedule the lease
signings.

Maximum Rents

The following chart reflects the enhanced maximum

rent amounts for LINC IV and LINC V.
1

Family Size

Enhanced
maximum
rents LINC
IV
Enhanced
maximum
rents LINC
V

$1268

$1268

$1515

$1515

$1956

$1956

$1213

$1268

$1515

1515

$1956

$1956

Sample Budget
A Sample budgets for LINC V is shown below.

The following is a sample tenant contribution and

subsidy amount for a LINC V apartment. Contribution
and maximum rent will be based on the household
income and family size.
Family Size:
2
Enhanced Maximum Rent:
$1,268
Monthly Household Income:
$1,320
Monthly Tenant Contribution (30%): $396
Monthly Rental assistance:
$872

The Office of Housing & Program Planning will be

responsible for processing requests for the LINC IV
and V. Designated shelter staff will submit a leasing
package with all required documents to the Special
Projects Unit for review. The unit will review the

Provider Process

All providers should identify clients where one member of the

household is 60+ OR has employment income. These clients
should be sent to HRA to: 1) Open a PA case; and 2) Have
their case budgeted.

Clients should bring proof of income (1 month of pay stubs)

or SSI/SSD award letter to their HRA appointment. For Adult
Family Households, all members of the household must
provide income documentation.

All Providers will receive an e-mail blast stating that

certification letters for eligible LINC IV and LINC V clients
have been posted to the Remote Access Folder (S:Drive). All
Providers should ensure that they have access to the Remote
Access Folder.

In preparation for the implementation of the LINC rental

assistance programs, DHS recommends that Providers meet
with the landlords and brokers with whom they have
developed relationships. The purpose of the meeting is to

Provider Process
Upon receiving the e-mail blast Providers are to initiate the
following steps:

Print Certification letters.

Meet with clients to discuss the eligibility criteria for their

rental assistance program.

Review the certification letter to ensure the information is

accurate.

If the certification letter is correct:

The Provider is to give the household a copy of the

certification letter, the appropriate fact sheets for the
household and landlord as well as the forms that need to
be completed by the family member(s), landlord and
broker.

The Provider is to task the household on the ILP to begin 9

Provider Process

If the certification letter is inaccurate the Provider is to

contact their Program Analyst & Administrator.

The Provider is to monitor the PA status of each

household utilizing the Client Profile System (CPS) at a
minimum weekly to ensure:

The PA case is in Active status.

There are no pending actions that would effect LINC

eligibility.

No family members are sanctioned.

If a Provider does not have access to CPS or is having

difficulty accessing CPS, contact your Program Analyst.

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Rental Process
When a client has found an apartment and the landlord has agreed
to rent to the client, the provider should submit a Leasing Package
to the Special Projects Unit. The leasing package consists of the
following documents:

LINC Request Form

LINC Payee Form (to identify which person/entity is to be paid)

Residency Letter

Copy of Certification Letter

Employment Verification (Pay stubs/letter from employer)

Award Letters (SSI/SSD, etc.)

Program Tenant Statement of Understanding (LINC IV, V)

Taxpayer ID & Certification Form (W9)

Landlord Letter (Intent to Lease)

Landlord Statement of Understanding (LINC IV, V)

Apartment Registration Form (Inspection Request)

Standard for Permanent Housing Checklist (completed for room

rentals only)
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Broker Request for Payment (W147j)

Rental Process
For Apartment rentals, HRA will review the leasing
package. If the leasing package is deemed complete an
apartment inspection will be scheduled within 48 hours.
DHS will inform the landlord/broker, shelter contact of
the outcome of the inspection.
If the apartment does not pass inspection all parties
will be notified and the landlord will have 5 days to
complete the repairs. If the repairs are not
completed within 5 days the client will be delinked
from the apartment and the leasing package
rejected.
If the apartment passes inspection HRA will schedule
a lease signing and notify the landlord, DHS, shelter
contact and the household. Client should start
packing as soon as they are notified that the
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apartment has passed inspection.

Provider Role in the Rental

Process

Provider staff must escort clients to the lease signing.

All family members must be present to sign the lease.
Client will receive the lease and keys to their
apartment at the lease signing. Providers are to place
a copy of the lease in the case record.

Providers are to ensure that clients are logged out the

day of their move to permanent housing using the
LINC IV or V exit codes.

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Aftercare

Shelter/ safe haven/ drop in center and outreach

providers will be expected to provide up to one year of
aftercare. DHS will provide funding at a level of $200/
per client per month. (Roughly 20 placements = 1 FTE
aftercare worker)

Additional supports will be provided by HRA and DFTA

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Attachment A
Federal Poverty Guidelines
Effective 7/1/2014 June 30, 2015
Household Size

Federal Poverty Guidelines 200%

Annual

Monthly

Twice monthly

Bi-weekly

Weekly

23,340

1,946

974

898

450

31,460

2,622

1,312

1,210

606

39,580

3,300

1,650

1,524

762

47,700

3,976

1,888

1,836

918

55,820

4,652

2,332

2,148

1,074

63,940

5,330

2,666

2,460

1,230

72,060

6,006

3,004

2,772

1,386

80,180

6,682

3,342

3,084

1,542

Each additional
family member add

8,120

678

340

314

158

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is LINC?
Answer: It is a Rental Assistance Program that targets
specific homeless populations, and stands for Living in
Communities.
Who determines eligibility for any of the Programs?
Answer: HRA/DHS
How do I become eligible for LINC IV and V?
Answer: a) currently be in a DHS Shelter or in a
street/outreach program b) for LINC IV one member of the
household must be 60+ c) for LINC V one member of the
household must be employed; c)must have an active
Temporary Assistance or Single Issuance Case.
How will I get my certification letter?
Answer: Certification letters can be accessed via the DHS
Remote Access folder/S Drive.

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Frequently Asked Questions

How is client contribution determined?
Answer: HRA calculates client contribution based on the
budgeted income.
How much is the broker fee?
Answer: A check in the amount of one months rent.
What happens if a client loses employment while residing
in their apartment?
Answer: The family is still responsible for paying their
contribution. Clients should contact their former shelter for
Aftercare assistance.
How does the rental assistance work with undocumented
working clients?
Answer: They maybe eligible as long as the income is

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Frequently Asked Questions

What if you think a client is eligible but a letter does not
generate?
Answer: Call your Program Analyst & Administrator
Where do you submit a lease package?
Answer: Special Projects Unit
How long does the inspection take?
Answer: 2 business days after HRA has approved the
package
How long do we wait for a lease signing date?
Answer: After successful inspection you will be contacted by
HRA to schedule a date. All lease signings will be held at 109
East 16th Street

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Frequently Asked Questions

Can the Broker come to the lease signing?
Answer: Yes if they have power of attorney for the landlord
The certification is valid for how long?
Answer: Ninety (90) Days
If the client does not secure an apartment by the 90th
day, is the client still eligible?
Answer: A new certification will generate if the client meets
the eligibility criteria for LINC.

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Frequently Asked Questions

What is 200% of the poverty guideline?
Answer: See attached table on page 15
Is Parks Employment being considered income?
Answer: No. Subsidized employment is not considered
income for LINC.
What if my client is a citizen but has off the books
income?
Answer: Income must be budgeted by HRA in order to be
considered.

Can the rental assistance be used outside of NYC?

Answer: No, only EOSD can be used outside of NYC.
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Frequently Asked Questions

Will clients receive after care information at lease
signing?
Answer: Yes, at lease signing shelter contacts will be
provided to the client for Aftercare services.

When will clients that moved to permanency be notified

of the renewal process?
Answer: HRA will notify families three (3) months prior to
the end of
the Lease

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Frequently Asked Questions

Will DHS have Housing Fairs to match clients with Landlords
and Brokers?
Answer: We encourage Providers to have housing fairs to
continue to increase their relationships with landlords and
Brokers as they have been doing. DHS will provide housing
resources as they become available.
How will I know if my family is eligible for Temporary
Assistance (PA) in the community?
Answer: HRA makes the determination

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Frequently Asked Questions

When will furniture money be available?
Answer: At lease signing
What happens if a certified client hasnt moved within
90 days?
Answer: If still eligible, they will be re-certified for another
90 days. However, you should be meeting with all certified
clients regularly to assist them to secure housing as soon as
possible - LINC funding is limited.

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Frequently Asked Questions

When can we inform clients about LINC?
Answer: Immediately. You can begin to identify potential
clients by reviewing LOS, income, and client demographics
reports. Again, eligibility is determined by HRA and only
certified clients are eligible for rental assistance, but you can
make sure each client has their income budgeted and that
their TA case is AC or SI.

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