2204

2204.1 The following are the minimum eligibility requirements to apply for a Home First Subsidy through the Department:

1. (a) The individual is a consumer actively-engaged with a CSA or other DMH-certified provider;
2. (b) The consumer is:
3. (i) eighteen (18) years of age or older and has been diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness as defined in Section 2299;
4. (ii) the legal guardian of a child consumer with a serious and persistent mental illness or a serious emotional disturbance, or
5. (iii) an emancipated minor consumer who has been diagnosed with a serious and persistent mental illness or a serious emotional disturbance;
6. (c) The consumer is a bona fide D.C. resident;
7. (d) The consumer's household income, or guardian's household income in the case of a child consumer, does not exceed the amount specified in Subsection 2204.2;
8. (e) The consumer does not have any legal or equitable interest in real property;
9. (f) The consumer or guardian has registered for, or has a verifiable appointment to register for, permanent housing assistance through DCHA, unless otherwise ineligible to register with DCHA or the DCHA has suspended new registrations; and
10. (g) The consumer has a demonstrable need for the Home First Subsidy because no other suitable housing options are available.

2204.2 The eligible consumer's or guardian's adjusted income, as defined in Section 2299, for the sixty (60) day period immediately preceding the date of application, shall not exceed thirty percent (30%) of the Area Median Income for the Metropolitan Washington D.C. Area, as defined by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development at the time of application.

2204.3 The Department may require the applicant or other household members to execute one or more authorizations to release information to verify eligibility. The release of information shall comply with D.C. Official Code § 7-1201.01 et seq., and other applicable federal and local privacy laws.

2204.4 The Department’s Home First Subsidy is a subsidy of last resort. The Department shall not authorize a Home First Subsidy if other permanent housing financial assistance is made available to the consumer, including, but not limited to, a Housing Choice Voucher or other federal or District housing subsidy program.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 50 DCR 3175(April 25, 2003); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 52 DCR 7026 (July 29, 2005); as amended by Final Rulemaking published at 60 DCR 6479 (May 3, 2013).