Housing and Homelessness

Homeless Services Event Planned

A one day homeless services event will be held at Riverfront Park in Little Rock on Saturday, September 13. The event will offer a variety of service, including:

• Special Needs Accommodation - (Spanish Interpretators, Signers-Sign Language, Guides for the Visually Impaired)
• Medical Services - (Screening, Blood Pressure, Cholesterol, Diabetes, Tuberculosis, STD, HIV, Prostate, Mammograms, Elder Care, Foot Care, and Immunizations)
• Dental Screening - (Exam and Extractions)
• Eye Exam - (Exams and Glasses as Appropriate)
• Nutrition Services - (WIC, Education and Counseling)
• Mental Health Services - (Evaluation and Referral)
• Substance Abuse Services - (12 Step Information, Assessment, Referral, and Placement)
• Domestic Violence Services - (Education, Counseling, Referral, and Placement)
• Legal - (Homeless Court and Legal Consultations)
• Human Services - (Applications for Food Stamps and Medicaid)
• Social Security Assistance - (Education)
• Benefit Bank Assistance - (IRS Income Tax Preparation)
• Voter Registration - (Registering Homeless Voters)
• Vocational Assistance - (Work Force Information for Training and Placement)
• Disability Rights - (Education and Consultation)
• Spiritual - (Counseling and Resources)
• Referral Services - (Information and Referral to Appropriate Providers)
• Individual Needs - (Blankets, Showers, Haircuts, Clothing, Personal Hygiene Kits, Socks, Shoes, and Underwear)
• Food - (Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner, and Food Distribution)
• Children Services - (School Supplies, Backpacks, Clothing, Food, Fifer Fiver, Face Painting, and Fun Activities)
• Veteran Services - (VA Regional Office, VA Regional Rehab, DVOP Representative, and DoD Clothing and Supplies)
• Transportation - (Pick and Drop-Off to various predetermined sites throughout the city)

Volunteers are needed for this event. Go to arkansashomeless.org for more information.

National Housing Trust Fund Created!

Early on the morning of July 30, President Bush signed the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (H.R. 3221), the comprehensive housing bill containing the Housing Trust Fund and its initial dedicated source of funding. Arkansas Senators Lincoln and Pryor both voted for the bill, as did Representatives Snyder, Ross and Berry. Representative Boozman was the lone Arkansas congressional representative to not support the bill. For more information about the housing trust fund, go to http://www.nlihc.org/detail/article.cfm?article_id=5393

North Little Rock Fan Distribution/Cooling Centers/Energy Relief Hotline

The North Little Rock Fire Dept. continues its collection of new or used fans (in good condition) to distribute to elderly people or those who are not able to run their air conditioners all day long.

Fans can be left at North Little Rock fire stations Monday –Friday, 8:00 a.m.-4:30 p.m. For more information, call 340-5377.

Fans will be distributed by the North Little Rock Health Department, 2800 Willow Street. For more information, contact Jeannetta Martin 791-8551.

North Little Rock will have an emergency heat relief Cooling Center open at times this summer. For more information, call 791-8541.

North Little Rock also is operating an Energy Relief Hotline: the number is 340-5454. Citizens will be able to hear:

Option 1. location and availability of Heat Relief Cooling Center

Option 2. agencies which provide financial assistance for utility bills, weatherization programs, and other needs

Option 3. location of information kiosks bearing information on energy conservation, home weatherization tips, assistance agencies

Option 4. flexible payment options offered by NLR Utility Accounting Dept. making it easier for citizens who qualify to pay their bills

HUD Makes Funding Available for FY2008

The U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development notice of available funding (referred to as SuperNOFA) has been released, with $1 billion in grants for FY2008.

Among the programs to be funded are the Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities, the ROSS Elderly Persons with Disabilities, the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly, the Housing Choice Voucher Family Self-Sufficiency, and the Fair Housing Initiative Program (FHIP).

Please check http://www.grants.gov for a description of the above programs. On this page, click on "find grant opportunities", then select "browse by agency", then select "U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development". A number of these programs have application deadlines in July. You can also call HUD at 202-708-1112 and TTY: 202-708-1455 for more information.

New Commissioners Appointed to the Fair Housing Commission

Four individuals have recently been appointed to the Arkansas Fair Housing Commission. Shauna Allen of Hot Springs will replace Steven Hitt, Burt Henderson of Morrilton replaces Larry DeGroat, and Todd Wilcox of Jonesboro replaces Judy Titsworth. Walter Fenton of Fayetteville was reappointed to the Commission. All terms are set to expire February 01, 2012.

Volunteers Needed for Homeless Event in Little Rock, September 13

A one day homeless services event will be held at Riverfront Park in Little Rock on Saturday, September 13. The event will offer meals, blankets, clothing, haircuts, showers, health exams, dental exams, eye exams, spiritual counseling, and access and referral to other service providers. Volunteers are desperately needed for this exciting event! To view volunteer options, go to: arkansashomeless.org

North Little Rock Housing Authority Receives $508,750 to House Homeless Veterans

The North Little Rock Housing Authority was recently awarded a grant through the U. S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide housing for 105 homeless veterans. The Fayetteville Housing Authority also received $138,642 to house 35 homeless veterans through the same $75 million program aimed at housing 10,000 veterans nationwide. The money will come in the form of an expanded number of Section 8 vouchers set aside specifically for homeless veterans. Estimates indicate 40% of homeless Arkansas veterans are considered chronically homeless, defined as continuously homeless for a year or having had at least four episodes of homelessness in the past three years. Under this program, veterans will also be provided with case management and other supportive services through the Comprehensive Homeless Center.

New Homes for Those Experiencing Homelessness Available in Fayetteville, AR

A residential community offering dorm rooms, apartments and townhouses to people experiencing homelessness has opened in Fayetteville, Arkansas. The Walker Family Residential Community is a project of the Seven Hills Homeless Shelter, and is aimed at helping people move towards independent living. The complex can house approximately 36 people, seven of which have already moved in. A donation of $750,000 for the $1.5 million project was provided through a grant of the Pat and Willard Walker Charitable Foundation.

Arkansas Homeless Coalition Now Has a Mobile Outreach Van

The Arkansas Homeless Coalition now has a van to dispense needed items such as blankets, soap, hygiene products and water to those living on the street. The van was donated to the Coalition by the Jericho Bingo Charity and is staffed strictly by volunteers. The service is new, but the Coalition hopes the van will eventually be able to provide services such as medical aid, materials distribution, and financial and legal consulting. The types of services provided will be structured largely according to the expertise of the volunteers staffing the van. Van outings are currently taking place Monday and Wednesday evenings from 6pm to 8pm, and Saturdays from 2pm to 4pm. If you’d like more information, contact Jeffrey Rickman at 501.607.4799 or jrickman at ashn dot org.

AFFORDABLE HOUSING FOR QUALIFIED BUYERS

The Downtown Little Rock Community Development Corporation is a non-profit developer of affordable housing, and they have announced they currently have seven affordable homes they are looking to pre-sell and build this year in the SOMA district east of Main Street in downtown Little Rock. To qualify, individuals or families must be at or below the following income levels:

For individuals who qualify, the Downtown Little Rock CDC has a $20,000 grant that will be applied towards the purchase of the home. The family must be first time homebuyers, or have not owned a home within the last three years.

For more information, contact: J. Scott Grummer at 372-0148.

Arkansas Tops HUD’S 2006 List of Homeless

For the year 2006, Arkansas had the highest percentage of homeless citizens in the country, with 16,665 people who are homeless out of a population of 2,810,872, or .59%. Coming in second was Nevada, with .52% of it’s population homeless, and number three was California, with .49% of it’s population living in homelessness. It is believed that Gulf Coast residents who evacuated to Arkansas after the hurricanes in August and September 2005 are one of the primary reasons for the big jump in homelessness in the state, given the number of homeless in 2006 was three times that of 2005.

The annual Homeless Assessment Report from HUD defines homelessness as when a person doesn’t have a regular, adequate nighttime residence and stays in a shelter or sleeps in a place not ordinarily used for sleeping. It is anticipated Arkansas’ rate will go down for 2007, although that figure won’t be released until next year. Arkansas’ homeless rate in 2005 was .20%, which placed it more in the middle of the ranking of states.

HUD Releases National Report on Homelessness

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has just released it's second national report for Congress on homelessness in America. The first national report was submitted to Congress in February 2007.

Affordable Housing Grants Announced for Four Towns/Counties

The Arkansas Development Finance Authority (ADFA) has announced awards totaling 1.5 million dollars to four local housing entities for affordable housing projects. The groups receiving the funds are: the Office of Human Concern in Rogers (for Carroll and Madison counties), the Warren Housing Authority, the St. Francis County CDC and the Pine Bluff-Jefferson County EOC.

These grants will cover the costs associated with rehabilitation or reconstruction of five homes for low- and moderate-income individuals/families in the grant recipient’s area.

Arkansas Safe Room/Shelter Program Provides Assistance for Building Storm Shelters

This program, administered by the Arkansas Department of Emergency Management, provides up to $1,000 to households that build safe rooms/storm shelters. This program is for homeowners who install a shelter after January 21, 1999, and will pay up to 50% of cost and installation, not to exceed $1,000. The money comes in the form of a rebate, and there is no deadline to apply. The contact is Bonnie Arnold, State Mitigation Grant Coordinator, and more information can be found at http://www.adem.arkansas.gov

ANNOUNCEMENT

The Little Rock Housing Authority is currently accepting pre-applications from First-time Homebuyers for the NEW HORIZON VILLAGE HOMEOWNERSHIP WAITLIST. LRHA is offering FOR SALE, single-family homes located on New Horizon Lane (formerly Ives Walk, off Cumberland Street). There are eleven (11) two-bedroom, one-bath homes available and six (6) three-bedroom, two-bath homes available. Two homes are fully accessible and preference shall be given to families requiring ADA housing. The estimated market prices are from $109,000 to $125,000.

To qualify you must meet the following minimum criteria for eligibility:

1. First-time Homebuyer, as defined by HUD.
2. Applicant(s) must have a target credit rating of 620 or higher.
3. Financial ability to secure mortgage financing to purchase the home.
4. Complete an ADFA certified Homebuyer Education Program and provide a copy of the Completion Certificate.
5. Attendance at orientation sessions held by LRHA.
6. Annual household income between 60-80% HUD AMI Limits (subject to annual adjustments):
   

   Family Size
   	2 Person	3 Person	4 Person	5 Person	6 Person
   60% AMI	$22,600	$25,450	$28,250	$30,500	$32,750
   80% AMI	$36,150	$40,700	$45,200	$48,800	$52,450

   
   
7. Families must fall into one of the three categories listed below:
   
   1. Little Rock Housing Authority HCV FSS family
   2. LRHA Low Rent Public Housing Resident
   3. Any resident in the City of Little Rock

The Following Documents are Required to be Submitted to Process Your Application:

• Signed Criminal/Credit Report Release Form.
• Signed Authorization to Release Information.
• Signed Application.
• Birth Certificates of all Individuals in the Household.
• Social Security Cards of all Individuals in the Household.
• Arkansas Photo Identification of the Applicant(s).
• Proof of Income.
• Copy of AFDA Certified Homebuyer Education Certificate.
• Copy of the Applicant(s) Credit Report or a Money Order made payable to the Little Rock Housing Authority in the amount of $16.20 for an individual Applicant and $19.40 for joint Applicants.

Note: If the Applicant(s) chooses to furnish their own Credit Report, the Credit Report must have been issued within the last 90 days to be accepted.

ALL PRE-APPLICATIONS WILL BE PLACED ON THE WAITING LIST.

It is the policy of the LRHA to provide reasonable accommodations for persons with disabilities. Any persons with mobility, hearing or visual impairment requiring special accommodations are requested to contact the LRHA Administration Office at (501) 340-4821 at least two days in advance.

For additional information contact Gerald Turner, Director of Real Estate Dev. at 501-340-4821.

USDA Rental Assistance

LOOKING FOR SUBSIDIZED HOUSING? ON A WAITING LIST FOR HUD AND/OR PUBLIC HOUSING?

The United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) provides rental assistance on over 6,000 units of housing in Arkansas. This rental assistance program is funded through USDA’s Rural Development program, with most of this housing located in rural areas of Arkansas. The rental assistance is tied to the individual unit, so to access the rental assistance, you must rent an apartment that has been designated a rental assistance property, and you cannot transfer your assistance to another property.

The program operates similarly to HUD’s housing programs, with applicants having to meet low-income guidelines, and with rents usually amounting to 30% of an eligible individual’s income. Because this is a federal program, these USDA units must comply with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act, meaning at least five percent of the units are accessible for people with a mobility disability and another one percent are accessible for people with visual and hearing disabilities.

To find a list of properties with USDA rental assistance attached to them, visit: nhtinc.org

1. Click on subsidized housing data
2. Click on Arkansas
3. Click on section 515 loans in PDF

Properties are listed alphabetically by town. This site does not state whether there are currently vacancies at each property, as that information changes daily. The site does provide the name and address of the property, the number of total units, the number of units with rental assistance, and a breakdown of how many apartments have one bedroom, two bedrooms, etc.

Housing and Homeless Interests

The National Law Center on Homelessness & Poverty released an updated version of Educating Homeless Children and Youth:The Guide to Their Rights (Aug 2007). It is available for download on NLCHP's website in PDF format.

Facing Homelessness

What do people do when suddenly faced with being homeless? In Santa Barbara the need for shelter has one group to act. View this CNN report how one mom was forced to live in her car with the dogs.