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Rapid Re-Housing for Individuals (RRH-I)

Rapid Re-Housing for Individuals (RRH-I) is a model of time-limited housing and support designed to assist individuals including unaccompanied adults and youth, experiencing homelessness to afford dignified and safe housing in the private market. Rental assistance and supportive services are provided for a specific period of time based on the needs of the household. ​

RRH-I has the following characteristics:

  • The program is time-limited. Program participants receive a subsidy and support services for between three and twelve months with the potential for an extension in certain circumstances for up to eighteen months.  Individuals typically receive up to 12 months of support, which is tailored to the needs of the household.

 

  • Assistance includes payment of security deposits and first-month rent. Monthly assistance is also available for payment of utility bills and a one-time payment towards the purchase of household items.

 

  • Rapid Re-Housing clients select their own housing and sign their own leases. Housing must meet the fair rent standards as determined by the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) and pass a HUD Housing Habitability Standards Inspection provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.

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  • Each unit must pass an inspection before a household can move in. This includes HQS and HUD Housing Habitability standards for units/shared living housing for individuals. Download the inspection checklist.

 

  • Tenants sign their own lease. Through the lease signing process, housing navigators make sure that everyone understands their rights and obligations for participation in the program, tenancy, and how rent payments are made.

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  • Households receive supportive services as part of their participation in the program. Supportive services, including case management, are designed to support program participants in their transition to housing stability. These services work with individuals to identify barriers to housing stability, identify each households’ needs and strengths, develop goals, and connect to other resources they may need in the community (i.e. education, job training, etc).  

 

  • Program participants pay a 30 percent of their income towards rent. The subsidy (the difference between the client portion and the actual rent) is paid to the housing provider by DCHA or the designated community-based service provider.  

 

  • RRH units are eligible for participation in the Landlord Partnership Fund (LPF). The Fund mitigates housing provider's exposure to adverse rental costs, such as excess unit damage and unpaid rent. 

What happens to RRH-I tenants at the end of a 12-month lease?

Our primary goal is to support the program participants to maintain permanent housing without rental assistance from DHS and to avoid evictions. Our case management and support services focus on income generation, employment support and connecting households to the resources they need with that in mind. With that in mind, DHS will make a determination no later than seven months into the individual’s lease about whether a subsidy will be continued: :

 

  • If a household cannot sustain themselves without the subsidy, the program puts in place a plan to initiate a voluntary move from the property. Housing providers may be eligible for reimbursement of unit damage and unpaid rent through the Landlord Partnership Fund.  

 

 

  • The program may find that after 12 months the tenant’s support system has changed and they may move in with a relative or friend. At this point, it is possible that the RRH-I subsidy will be extended for a specific period of time.

 

 

Inspection and Leasing Process

Unit Identification

Potential tenant seeks and selects a unit with assistance from program provider. Unit must be in line with DC fair market rent standards.

Housing Provider 
Leasing Packet

Housing providers must complete and submit a leasing packet so that an inspection can be scheduled.

Unit Inspection

DCHA inspectors schedule and coordinate a unit inspection.

Lease Up

Once a unit has passed inspection, the lease up is scheduled.

For more specific program information, please contact us at newleaseonlife@dc.gov. For a complete list of agencies and service providers, please visit Resources.

For More Information or Support

Contact us

For more information about New Lease on Life and its programs fill out the contact form or email us at newleaseonlife@dc.gov.

Program resources

For a complete list of agencies and service providers, please visit Resources.

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