Chapter 3 : Section 6.2

Housing Services

Procedures

When the Family Functioning Assessment identifies that housing stability is a need, assist the parent or caregiver to explore available resources, including assistance through the Short Term Crisis Services program (STCS) administered by the Community Action and Aging Programs Administration of the Department of Economic Security.

Assist the parent or caregiver to review eligibility criteria and schedule an appointment with the local Community Action Agency through their website.

If the household is not eligible for the STCS program, assist the family in identifying, contacting, and applying for housing assistance from other available resources by:

• identifying resources that have the potential to meet some or all of the household’s housing needs;

• providing thorough referral information about the identified resources to the parent or caregiver; and

• if needed, assist the parent or caregiver to contact the resources and complete any application processes.

If all efforts to locate housing assistance within the family and community have been exhausted and assistance remains unavailable, determine the household’s eligibility for the Housing Assistance Program. To determine if a household is eligible for this program, confirm all the following are true:

• at least one child in the household is a participant in an open DCS assessment or case;

• lack of adequate housing is a significant barrier preventing the child from being reunited with or being able to remain with the child’s parent, or a relative or kinship caregiver who will provide permanency for the child;

• all other sources of assistance have been fully explored and utilized, and it has been determined that other resources are not available;

• the parent or caregiver receiving the assistance (lessee or person whose name appears on the utility account) has indicated that they are a U.S. citizen or otherwise lawfully present in the U.S. and is able to submit to DCS one of the following forms of documentation demonstrating lawful presence:

  • an Arizona driver license issued after 1996 or an Arizona non-operating identification license;

  • a birth certificate or delayed birth certificate issued in any state, territory or possession of the United States;

  • a United States certificate of birth abroad;

  • a United States passport;

  • a foreign passport with a United States visa;

  • an I-94 form with a photograph;

  • a United States citizenship and immigration services employment authorization document or refugee travel document;

  • a United States certificate of naturalization;

  • a United States certificate of citizenship;

  • a tribal certificate of Indian blood; or

  • a tribal or bureau of Indian affairs affidavit of birth.

• household income, including entitlements, is insufficient to cover housing expenses; and

• the parent or caregiver receiving the assistance is willing to develop and participate in a time oriented plan that will enable housing or utilities obtained through this program to be maintained after the benefit period ends.

The amount of housing assistance provided by the Department to a household shall not exceed $1,800.00 during a six-month period. The Department shall not authorize additional requests for housing assistance during a case open incident without prior approval. Initial requests for housing assistance require approvals from the DCS Supervisor and Program Manager. Second requests require approvals from the DCS Supervisor, Program Manager, and Program Administrator. The Deputy Director of Field Operations must approve additional requests. A case open incident begins on the date of a DCS report that opens an assessment, and ends on the date of assessment or case closure.

Housing assistance may be provided to more than one household during one case open incident if all eligibility criteria are met for each household. For example, housing assistance may be provided to:

• a biological parent upon reunification (initial request), and subsequently provided to a kinship caregiver (second request) if the child re-enters care and the permanency plan becomes adoption or guardianship by the kinship caregiver; or

• two separate households during one case open incident if children in the family reside or are placed in different households.

Housing Assistance: Required Information

Obtain from the parent or caregiver the following information needed to complete the Housing Assistance Referral form (CSO-1098A):

• Vendor information:

  • Original completed and signed “State of Arizona Substitute W-9 & Vendor Authorization” form. Housing assistance payments will not be made without receipt of the W-9.

  • Name and address of vendor for payment purposes.

• Current lease agreement or utility bill/past due that includes the following information:

  • name of account holder;

  • address of service;

  • type of service;

  • amount due; and

  • date payment is due.

• Requests for assistance with utilities:

  • New utility accounts: obtain letter from vendor that includes all start-up costs and account number.

  • Open utility accounts: obtain monthly bill from parent/caregiver receiving the assistance.

Complete the form in its entirety, including entering dates of Notes pertinent to the housing assistance request, on this form. The DCS Specialist’s signature on the form indicates the DCS Specialist verified the information.

Submit the following information in a New Service Request as soon as possible as it may take up to 21 calendar days to process the request:

• Housing Assistance Referral completed in its entirety;

• State of Arizona Substitute W9 & Vendor Authorization form;

• documentation of expenses related to the housing assistance request; and

• case plan.

Rental payments will be processed monthly, based on the approved amount and number of months reflected on the referral form.

Provide the vendor a copy of the DCS Electronic Funds Transfer Authorization Agreement, CSO 1030A.

Supervisors, Program Managers, and Program Administrators or designee

The DCS Program Supervisor and the Program Manager will review the application and case record information to verify completion of all eligibility requirements, prior to approval of housing assistance.

Once approved, the Program Manager will approve the Service Request in Guardian. The regional contact reviews the packet for completeness, completes the service approval and forwards the payment request to Centralized Invoicing.

The DCS Program Supervisor ensures the DCS Specialist is providing case planning and case management services, including monitoring the family’s financial situation throughout the duration of the benefits.

The Regional Program Administrator reviews and forwards any housing assistance request requiring approval from the Deputy Director of Operations.

Documentation

Document the identification of lack of adequate housing/housing stability as a need in the Family Functioning Assessment and the Investigation Detail Window.

Document statements to confirm each of the following in Notes:

• at least one child in the household is a participant in an open DCS case;

• lack of adequate housing is a significant barrier preventing the child from reunifying or remaining with the child’s parent, or remaining with a relative or kinship caregiver who will provide permanency for the child;

• all other sources of assistance have been fully explored and utilized, and it has been determined that other resources are not available;

• the parent or caregiver receiving the assistance (lessee or person whose name appears on the utility account) has indicated that he/she is a U.S. citizen or otherwise lawfully present in the U.S. and is able to submit to DCS one of the following form of documentation demonstrating lawful presence:

  • an Arizona driver license issued after 1996 or an Arizona non-operating identification license;

  • a birth certificate or delayed birth certificate issued in any state, territory or possession of the United States;

  • a United States certificate of birth abroad;

  • a United States passport;

  • a foreign passport with a United States visa;

  • an I-94 form with a photograph;

  • a United States citizenship and immigration services employment authorization document or refugee travel document;

  • a United States certificate of naturalization;

  • a United States certificate of citizenship;

  • a tribal certificate of Indian blood; or

  • a tribal or bureau of Indian affairs affidavit of birth.

• household income, including entitlements, is insufficient to cover housing expenses; and

• the parent or caregiver receiving the assistance is willing to develop and participate in a time oriented plan that will enable housing/utilities obtained through this program to be maintained after the benefit period ends.

Complete the Guardian case plan, identifying behavior changes and services to support the parent or caregiver in obtaining and maintaining adequate housing after assistance is closed.

Effective Date: February 1, 2021

Revision History: November 30, 2012, June 7, 2017, June 4, 2019