D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 22, r. 22-A2208
The Department may approve a Home First Subsidy in an amount equivalent to eighty percent (80%) of the 2011 Fair Market Rent Value calculated by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development for the Metropolitan Washington D.C. area. An eligible consumer shall pay thirty percent (30%) of his or her adjusted income ("Total Consumer Rent Payment") toward the total rent due under the lease. The Department may authorize an increase in the Home First Subsidy amount, subject to available appropriations.
For each approved Home First Subsidy, the Department shall issue the housing subsidy on a monthly basis to the landlord on behalf of the eligible consumer that is equal to the rent charged by the landlord, minus the Total Consumer Rent Payment, as determined by the Department in accordance with this chapter.
The amount of the total rent due under a lease shall not exceed the limits set by the Department pursuant to Subsection 2208.1.
If utilities are included in the total rent, a higher rent may be considered for approval on a case-by-case basis.
Rent rates established by the Department pursuant to Subsection 2208.1 shall be effective for new leases and lease renewals that occur after the effective date of this chapter.
Subject to Section 2208.3, all utility costs, including water, gas, electric, telephone, cable, and internet access, are the consumer's responsibility and will not be included in determining the consumer's obligation to pay thirty percent (30%) of household income towards the monthly rent.
If a consumer has a demonstrated need for assistance with payment of a security deposit, the Department may, subject to availability of funds, pay the security deposit on behalf of the consumer. The consumer must repay the Department in accordance with a payment plan established by the Department and documented in the Program Agreement. The Department will not assist a consumer with payment of an additional security deposit if the consumer still owes funds for assistance with a previously-paid security deposit.
Once the Department has identified funds for a supported housing subsidy for an eligible consumer, the Department shall notify in writing the consumer, the CSA, and the consumer's personal representative, if applicable, of the availability of the subsidy.
Upon written notification by the Department of the availability of supported housing subsidy funds, the consumer will have ninety (90) days to submit a complete Home First Subsidy application package. The CSA is primarily responsible for ensuring the consumer completes and returns all required forms during the process. The Department shall make all forms for the supported housing subsidy package available to the CSAs. The Department may grant reasonable extensions upon a showing of good cause.
An eligible consumer may only search for a Home First Subsidy-eligible housing after he or she receives written authorization to begin a housing search from the Department. The Department shall provide a monthly list of vacant units to the CSAs to assist consumers search for available housing with the understanding by all recipients that the list is not exhaustive and consumers and CSAs should not rely solely on the Department vacancy list to locate housing. Consumers and CSAs are encouraged to utilize other resources within the public domain to identify appropriate and available housing.
The Department may approve a Home First Subsidy for an eligible consumer only after the following conditions are met:
If the Home First Subsidy package is approved, the Department shall notify the eligible consumer and CSA or other mental health provider that the supported housing subsidy is approved by providing the eligible consumer a copy of the supported housing subsidy approval form signed by the Department.
If the Home First Subsidy package is not approved due to missing information, the Department shall notify the eligible consumer and CSA or other mental health provider of the reason(s) for disapproval. The consumer and CSA have ten (10) business days to provide the Department a completed Home First Subsidy package. Failure to complete or supply the missing information may result in denial of subsidy and placement on the waiting list.
The Department shall only issue an approved Home First Subsidy in the form of non-cash payment directly to the landlord.
The Department shall only provide a Home First Subsidy for actual rent obligations incurred by the consumer in a manner consistent with this chapter.
D.C. Mun. Regs. tit. 22, r. 22-A2208