Empowering OurselvesHow to Access Supportive Housing for Yourself
NEW YORK CITYVOICES: January/February 2000
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What You Should Know About: Qualifying for New York, New York Housing
Edited by Dan Frey - Source: Center for Urban Community Services
Supportive Housing applications are generally prepared by a case manager at a residence, outpatient mental health clinic or other treatment program. However, other individuals, including a consumer advocate, peer specialist, and family members often assist in this process. CUCS' Residential Placement Management System (RPMS) is also available to assist in navigating the Supportive Housing application process in NYC.
You will need help with most of the following steps, but try to be as involved in doing these tasks yourself as possible:
This is the first in a series of articles about ways we can empower and help ourselves. Anyone interested in contributing to this series with 500-600 word articles about how we can do things on our own, which previously were done by professionals only, is invited to submit article ideas to Dan Frey at (212) 757-1350.)
- Call CUCS/RPMS at (212) 801-3333 and ask for a Housing Consultant. You can also request copies of the HRA 1995 housing application form and lists of Supportive Housing programs with available vacancies.
- Prepare the HRA 1995 packet, which includes: (a) the HRA 1995 application; (b) a comprehensive psychiatric evaluation, signed and dated by a psychiatrist and completed within 90 days; (c) a psychosocial completed within 90 days and; (d) tuberculosis clearance (a PPD test with negative results or a negative chest x-ray) done within six months
- The entire HRA 1995 packet is submitted by mail to HRA/OHMHS (NYC Human Resources Administration/Office of Health and Mental Health Services - their address is on top of the form). Copies of the entire packet should be made prior to submission.
- Within seven to ten days HRA will send a response to the referring person named on page four of the HRA 1995 form. If the application is denied, HRA will indicate the reason, offer an opportunity to remedy any deficiency and send an approval letter when completed. Approvals are valid for 90 days from the date of determination. HRA will, on a case-by-case basis, grant extensions to the approval.
- After receipt of an approval letter, you should contact CUCS/RPMS at (212) 801-3333 for housing referrals based on your needs and preferences and the available vacancies in the housing programs.
- Contact housing providers and make referrals. Generally, providers will want a copy of your HRA 1995 packet as submitted to HRA, but in some cases additional materials will be requested.
- You will be contacted for interviews with staff and sometimes other residents. Interviews will often include questions about the information contained in the HRA 1995 packet and you should be familiar with these materials.
- Prior to final acceptance by a housing program you can often expect a second interview.
- Accessing supportive housing will require advocacy and follow-up with housing providers. If you receive one or several rejections, contact CUCS/RPMS to discuss the situation and possibly reevaluate the model and level of housing being sought. Additionally, CUCS' Housing Consultants can suggest strategies to overcome obstacles to housing access.
- Continue to send out housing referrals until you are accepted at a housing program that meets your preferences and needs.
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