Thanks to funding the New York State Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance, the YWCA of the Niagara Frontier is able to provide both homeless prevention and rapid rehousing services to individuals and families throughout Niagara and Erie Counties.
For more information about these programs call Pam McKinney at 716-433-6714 x226.
Homeless Prevention Program
The Homeless Prevention program aims to prevent an individual or family from eviction from their current housing through providing short– and/or medium-term assistance. Assistance is only available to the extent necessary to help an individual or family regain stability in their current housing or move into other permanent housing. An eviction notice is required to apply for this program.
Payments are made on behalf of the applicant to third parties for security deposits, six months of rental arrears, as well as utility arrears/deposits/assistance.
Residents are eligible for Homeless Prevention if they meet the following criteria:
- Are from the at-risk of homelessness definition (as long as they have an income at or below 50% AMI).
- Are at risk of losing current permanent housing (e.g., eviction) or have found alternative housing to move into.
- Owe up to 6 months of rental payments, and/or utility arrears/deposits/assistance.
Eligible Costs Include:
- Rental assistance: Rental assistance and rental arrears.
- Financial assistance: Rental application fees, security and utility deposits, utility payments, and moving costs.
Rapid Rehousing
Rapid Rehousing provides housing relocation and stabilization services and/or short– and/or medium-term rental assistance to help individuals and families experiencing homelessness move as quickly as possible into permanent housing and achieve stability in that housing.
This program is for individuals or families who may be: living in a shelter, living on the street, living in a place that is not meant for human habitation OR fleeing a Domestic Violence situation without supports. Rapid Rehousing can pay securities and rent going forward in a new, permanent housing situation.
Residents are eligible for Rapid Rehousing if they meet the following criteria:
- Have an income less than 50% of area AMI.
- Do not have sufficient resources or support networks to avoid emergency.
- Lack a fixed or regular, adequate nighttime residence (e.g. living in a shelter, on the street, living in a place not meant for human habitation) OR are fleeing/attempting to flee a Domestic Violence situation.
Eligible Costs Include:
- Rental Assistance: rental assistance moving forward.
- Financial Assistance: rental application fees, security and utility deposits, utility payments, and moving costs.