The Homelessness Prevention & Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP)  has been launched to provide financial assistance and services to homeless individuals and families, as well as those who would become homeless without assistance. The HPRP efforts are made possible by more than $14 million from the American Recovery & Reinvestment Act.

HPRP will provide short-term stability to individuals and families, such as assistance with rent, help with utility payments, relocation services, and access to counseling. The goal of the program is to help those who are homeless or are in danger of becoming homeless to gain housing in the short term that they will be able to maintain in the long term.

In order to qualify for assistance under the program, participants must be homeless or about to become homeless. In addition, households must be below 50 percent of the area median income, which for a family of four is $31,250, and must have no other housing options or financial support resources to obtain housing. Funds will be used to provide short-term and medium-term rental assistance, payment of security and utility deposits, moving costs, and motel vouchers, as well as financial counseling, credit repair and legal services.

For more information or to apply, individuals and families can call the HPRP Hotline at 1-877-350-HPRP, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday, or visit the HPRP website.

(photo by Mary Ellen Mark)