HOME-ARP TBRA

HOME-ARP Tenant-Based Rental Assistance

The City of North Miami Housing and Social Services Department has paused its HOME-ARP Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program but will continue to review applications that have already been submitted. Additionally, applicants in the queue for appointments will still be considered for funding, with any remaining uncommitted funding, as necessary.

Housing search 

• North Miami Rental Program

Program Guidelines

Purpose

On March 11, 2021, President Biden signed into law, the American Rescue Plan Act providing over $1.9 trillion dollars in COVID-19 relief funding. The funds are intended to address the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the economy, public health, the State and local governments, individuals and businesses. 

On September 2021, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development allocated $1,088,181 to the City of North Miami (“City”), under the HOME-ARP program. The purpose of the HOME-ARP funds is to provide housing assistance and supportive services through several eligible activities. Eligible activities include acquisition and development of non-congregate shelter, tenant-based rental assistance, supportive services, rental housing development, administration and planning, and nonprofit operating and capacity building assistance. 

HOME-ARP funds MUST be used to assist “qualifying populations” (“QPs”), as defined in the September 13, 2021, CPD-21-10 HOME-ARP Notice published by HUD. These QPs include:

• Sheltered and unsheltered homeless populations
• Populations at risk of homelessness
• Persons fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence or human trafficking
• Subgroup of other populations that require supportive services or housing assistance to prevent homelessness
• Subgroup of other populations with a high risk of housing instability

General information

The City developed a HOME-ARP Allocation Plan which describes how the City intends to use the HOME-ARP funds and did not elect any preferences for eligible activities. The plan was submitted and approved by HUD. The development of the HOME-ARP Allocation Plan was also informed through stakeholder consultation and public engagement. 

The City has identified activities that will assist families and individuals of the most vulnerable qualified populations. The gap analysis and stakeholder input indicate that there is a need to address the City’s lack of affordable housing and rising costs of rental housing that directly impacts those experiencing homelessness, as well as those at-risk of homelessness and housing instability. Given funding constraints and increasing costs of construction, the City has opted to use its allocation towards Tenant-Based Rental Assistance (“TBRA”) in order to help alleviate the growing rental cost burden and risk of eviction/homelessness. 

Many of the families or individuals who receive assistance to mitigate homelessness or to flee violent circumstances require layered services including housing assistance because of the compounding challenges being faced. The City will continue to support organizations that provide supportive services to help program participants achieve self-sufficiency. 

As there is an immediate need, TBRA, along with relevant supportive services will provide rapid distribution of funds to help the QPs avoid eviction. Supporting services may include housing counseling, workforce training, legal services, and outreach services. 

The City will be providing Rental Assistance to qualified households for a minimum of 3 months, not to exceed 24 months. The amount of the monthly assistance may not exceed the difference between the established payment standard for the unit size and 30 percent of the household's monthly adjusted income. Payments must be paid directly to a third-party on behalf of the household. The City will also provide Security Deposit Assistance which will not exceed the equivalent of two (2) months’ rent for the unit in accordance with 24 CFR 92.209 (j). Security deposits must be paid directly to a third-party on behalf of the household. Any portion of the security deposit which is returned at the end of the lease must be returned to the tenant in the form of a grant. In addition, Utility Deposit Assistance may be provided as an eligible program activity only in conjunction with security deposits and/or rental assistance. Utility deposit assistance may only be applied to the utilities described in the HUD Utility Allowance schedule. 

Applicants are considered eligible if they belong to one of the qualified populations, the household’s total income does not exceed 60% of the area median income, and applicants are North Miami residents (or prospective residents) with one (1) year lease signed, if applicable.

Income Chart

Maximum Household Income Limits: 2023 through 2024

Note: The income guidelines are updated by HUD annually.
The agency using this Intake Sheet should update this information accordingly.

The City’s Housing and Social Services (“HSS”) Department will administer the program. 

Qualification Criteria and Application Process

A. Selection Criteria 

Applicant must meet all the below criteria in order to qualify for the HOME-ARP program: 

1. Must be a U.S. citizen, permanent resident or granted legal status;
2. Must fall in one of the following categories: 
   1. Sheltered or unsheltered homeless populations; 
   2. Currently housed populations at risk of homelessness; 
   3. Fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence or human trafficking; 
   4. Other populations where assistance will: 
      • Prevent family homelessness;
      • reduce risk of housing instability. 
3. Must be a resident or prospective resident of the City of North Miami. To verify residence within the City of North Miami. Please visit the Miami-Dade Property Appraiser page at https://www.miamidade.gov/pa/property_search.asp and perform a property search by your address or prospective address. If the results display a Folio number that starts with ‘06’ in the following format “06-XXXX-XX-XXXX”, the applicant’s address may be eligible; 
4. Must have proof of homelessness or risk of homelessness; 
5. Must have a proposed or executed one (1) year lease agreement; 
6. Must not have received assistance from any other agency providing similar funding for the relevant month(s) applicant is seeking assistance for; 
7. Must show proof of current employment and/or unemployment benefits, if applicable.

B. Required Documentation 

If applicant(s) meet the eligibility criteria above, then the below documents will be required when submitting application: 

1. Completed application form; 
2. Proof of Homelessness or risk of homelessness (provide at least one): 
   1. Copy of 3-day notice; 
   2. Court filed eviction notice 
   3. Referral from homeless outreach team, shelter or safe haven 
   4. Notarized Affidavit of Residency 
   5. Street outreach worker observation and letter 
   6. Third-party letters by community members describing physical observations of living conditions; 
3. Proof of employment: four (4) most recent paystubs if bi-weekly or eight (8) if weekly; 
4. Self-employment: Schedule C, E, or F must be included with your federal income tax return AND 
   1. Accountant or bookkeeper’s statement of net income expected for the next 12 months printed on the accountant/bookkeeper’s company letterhead, or 
   2. A notarized, sworn statement, from the self-employed individual, of net income expected for the next 12 months; 
5. Award letter: (Social Security, Pension or Public Assistance); Veteran’s benefits letter; 
6. Three (3) most recent bank statements; 
7. Executed or proposed one (1) year lease agreement proving residency within the city; 
8. Driver’s License, and/or Passport, Resident/Green Card, Naturalization Certificate and Social Security Cards for all persons over 18 years of age currently residing in the household; 
9. Birth Certificates (with the parent(s) or applicant’s name listed), Passport, Resident/Green Card, Naturalization Certificate; 
10. Social Security Cards for each resident under 18 years old; 
11. Owner/Landlord Terms and Agreement, and W-9 completed and signed by Landlord.

C. How to Apply 

The City of North Miami Housing and Social Services has paused its HOME-ARP Tenant-Based Rental Assistance Program but will continue to review applications that have already been submitted. Additionally, applicants in the queue for appointments will still be considered for funding, with any remaining uncommitted funding, as necessary.