Housing

LTHP offers 3 different types of housing accommodations.

• Single family houses: are typically reserved for families with four family members or more.
• Apartment units: are typically reserved for families with 2-3 family members.
• Efficiencies: are usually reserved for single adult females or an adult and a child.

Cost
Rent is determined by a formula established by HUD and will not exceed 30% of the household income.

• LTHP will contribute at least $50 of the monthly rent to the Family's Individual Development Account, which will be held by LTHP, in trust. Upon successful completion of the program, LTHP will disburse the accumulated funds to the family.
  
  
• If a client fails to pay the rent by the 5th day of the month the client must pay a $10 late fee and if they fail to pay by the 10th day of the month, then LTHP will not contribute to the Family Individual Development Account.
  
  
• Rent may be paid by cash, check or money order. However, if a client's check is returned for insufficient funds the client must pay a $25 returned check fee and the client will only be allowed to pay rent by cash or money order.
  
  
• Maintenance

We provide maintenance to all appliances in our properties. Maintenance calls are handled in the order they are received with consideration to priority. We fix minor repairs including leaks and holes in the walls. An exterminator visits each property at least monthly and educates clients to maintain rodent free properties. Each tenant is responsible for maintaining a clean and orderly unit. Damages made to the property beyond normal wear and tear, will be repaired at the clients' expense.

General Rules

• Agree to abide by the Rules and Regulations of the program.
  
  
• Regularly attend meetings, workshops and trainings offered or coordinated by LTHP, which will provide support and information for family to obtain permanent housing. This includes monthly counseling, support groups, and the Life Skills classes.
  
  
•   Develop and work on an Individual or (Family) Support Plan, which will guide families to meet the necessary goals to obtain permanent housing. The Plan will be reviewed on a regular basis with the family, LTHP staff and referring case manager in order to provide the appropriate support and resources needed to meet goals.
  
  
•   An adult family member must enter the program with a job or obtain employment within 30 days of moving in, and, must maintain at least part-time employment throughout their participation in LTHP's program. Failure to maintain employment or failure to pay rent is cause for removal from the program.
  
  
•   Family members may not use violence (physical or verbal). Such behavior will be cause for immediate termination of contract.
  
  
• LTHP reserves the right to refuse renewal or extension of any agreement with a Family for violation of House Rules and Regulations or other good cause.
  
  
• Family accepts that this is a time limited program and must be willing to move within the program guidelines (6-18 months).
  
  
• Family will only use the Unit for residential purposes.
  
  
• Family may not possess or consume alcohol or illegal drugs in the Unit or anywhere on the property.
  
  
• LTHP reserves the right to enter the Family's Unit without advance notice for the purpose of general inspection, to perform routine or emergency maintenance, or to show the Unit to a prospective Family.
  
  
• In shared housing situations, families will share in the weekly cleaning of communal areas, including the bathrooms, hallways, kitchen, recreation room, and yard.
  
  
• Family must keep all yard areas and walkways clean from debris and snow.

Housing Counseling and Transition
The LTHP program is time limited, meaning that families can remain with LTHP up to 18 months. In six-month intervals, families will be evaluated to assess their progress. As the following graph demonstrates, every six months the family should have advanced to a different stage of development. If the families have made significant progress, then they will be granted an extension for another six months. If satisfactory progress has not been achieved the clients may be asked to leave the program.

Phases of Family Development
Beginning in the 6th month of participation in the program, the housing counselor will assist the client in their transition out of the program. Steps to transitioning include; money management and budgeting, understanding credit, reading and comprehending bills (ie Pepco, Verizon, WASA), an evaluation of the clients housing needs for transition, visits to potential neighborhoods, researching different permanent housing programs that meet the present need of the client (elderly, families & children, single female, or persons with disabilities). We will refer appropriate families to First Time Home Buyers programs for assistance in purchasing a home. Other clients will apply to unsubsidized apartments.

Follow up and support phase (18 months and above): this phase takes place after the families transition out of the program. It may happen before 18 months depending on the duration the family remains in the program. This phase allows families and LTHP the opportunity to remain in contact with one another to ensure a successful transition out of the program.