Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program 

On February 17, 2009, President Obama signed the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009, which includes $1.5 billion for a Homelessness Prevention Fund. Funding for this program, called the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP), is being distributed based on the formula used for the Emergency Shelter Grants (ESG) program.  West Virginia received  $ 7,977,649 to be used as needed in all areas of West Virginia.  In addition to various eligibility requirements, the income of the person or household applying for HPRP must be at or below 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI).  Click here to determine AMI. 

Eligible Activities

The eligible activities allowed under HPRP are clear and intentionally focused on housing—either direct financial assistance to help pay for housing, or services designed to help participants obtain, maintain and remain in housing. Funds are also available to track assistance through HMIS for local program or policy use and reporting to HUD. Grantees and sub-grantees may use HPRP funds to administer the following categories of eligible financial assistance and housing activities:

Financial assistance

• Short- and medium-term rental assistance

• Security deposits

• Utility deposits and payments

• Moving costs assistance

• Hotel and motel vouchers

Housing relocation and stabilization

• Case management - includes assisting clients to obtain public benefits such as Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits that may allow clients to obtain housing

• Outreach and engagement

• Housing search and placement

• Legal services - includes eviction prevention advocacy but excludes representation of homeowners to prevent mortgage foreclosure

• Credit repair

Public Benefit

The expected benefit of HPRP is to prevent homelessness and to facilitate the rapid re-housing of individuals and families. In addition, we will meet HUD’s overriding goal of creating and preserving jobs. HPRP is focused on housing and will provide temporary financial assistance and housing relocation and stabilization services to individuals and families who are homeless or would be homeless but for this assistance. Many individuals and families who benefit from this program will be able to concentrate efforts on re-entering the workforce and attaining self-sufficiency, thereby producing economic activity and enhancing the number of jobs created/saved.