7906.1 To remain eligible for the Program, each enrolled household shall complete a recertification process annually.

7906.2 A household shall remain eligible for the Program if the household continues to meet requirements set forth in §§ 7901.1 - 7901.3 and continues to be eligible for services under the Continuum of Care.

7906.3 Additionally, the household shall meet the following to remain eligible for the Program:

(a) Has a total annual income less than or equal to the recertification income limit, based on the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's Median Family Income Limits for the Washington DC Metropolitan Region, to be published by DHS not less than annually. The recertification limit shall not be less than forty percent (40%) of Family Median Income;

(b) Is headed by a person that is twenty-one (21) years old or older, and who meets the following requirements:

(1) Has physical custody of one or more minor children, or one or more youth that continues to reside in the household;

(2) Is currently employed or has recent history of employment; and

(3) Is the lease holder for a rental unit; and as the lease holder, does not face a housing emergency in which immediate action is necessary to avoid homelessness or eviction.

(c) Has not accessed any non-Program source of emergency, temporary, or permanent government-funded rental assistance:

(1) Before exhausting its annual allotment of Program funds and any remaining Program funds from the previous year; or

(2) More than once during the previous year.

7906.4 The Provider shall conduct a recertification assessment of each household to confirm the household meets the Program's recertification standards.

7906.5 If a household does not meet the recertification requirements set forth in this section, the Provider shall provide oral notice to the household. Additionally, the

Provider shall provide written notice described in § 7903.11(f) to the household, via email or U.S. Postal Service, at least fifteen (15) days before the effective date of the termination. This notice will specify the recertification requirements the household did not meet during its recertification assessment.

SOURCE: Final Rulemaking published at 67 DCR 3263 (March 20, 2020).