Time-Limited Housing Subsidy Programs
The District of Columbia time-limited housing subsidy programs are designed to assist families and individuals experiencing homelessness to afford dignified and safe housing in the private market by offering rental support for a specific period of time based on the needs of the household.
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Find out more about time-limited housing subsidy programs offered
in the District:
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Participants in time-limited subsidy programs select their own housing and sign their own leases. Housing must meet the District's fair rent standards as determined by the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) and pass a DCHA provided Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspection by a licensed HQS inspector.
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These time-limited programs are administered locally by several government agencies and community based non-profit organizations. In most cases, eligible families and individuals receive supportive services in addition to the subsidy in order to successfully support the transition to greater housing stability. Throughout the COVID-19 public health emergency, the District has continued rent subsidies regardless of time in the program.
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Family Re-Housing Stabilization Program (FRSP), also known as Rapid Re-Housing for Families (RRH-F)
Partnering with New Lease on Life
provides benefits to you as a landlord.
The unit you provide to us will be filled as quickly as possible, decreasing the length of time the unit remains vacant.
You will have a dedicated point of contact - the household's case manager - to assist with any questions or concerns that may arise.
We will ensure that the terms of the programs and the responsibilities of each partner are clear.
For the District's FRSP (RRH-F) program, 100% of the rent is guaranteed for 12-18 months while the family is in the household and the housing provider is enrolled in the District’s Rental Partnership Initiative for the first year.
What housing providers need to know:
Housing Provider Obligation
The role of the housing provider in any of the District’s time-limited housing subsidy programs is to provide dignified and safe housing to a tenant at a reasonable rent. The unit must pass an inspection for Housing Quality Standards (HQS) and be maintained up to those standards as long as the owner receives housing assistance payments. Housing providers are also expected to provide any services agreed upon in the terms of the lease.
Receiving Payments
Subsidies are paid to the housing provider directly by the District of Columbia Housing Authority (DCHA) or a community-based non-profit organization on behalf of the participating household. The household pays the difference between the actual rent and the amount subsidized by the program directly to the landlord.
For the District's FRSP (RRH-F) program, 100 percent of the rent is guaranteed for 12-18 months while the family is in the household and the housing provider is enrolled in the District’s Rental Partnership Initiative for the first year.
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Program participants generally pay approximately 30 percent of their total household income towards rent. In those cases where the client does not have a household income, the subsidy pays 100 percent of the rent.
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Supportive services
Supportive services, including case management, are provided to support program participants in their transition to housing stability. These services work with families and 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. child care, job training). Case managers may also assist the household for the first year while the household is enrolled in FRSP or the RRH-I program.
Inspection and Leasing Process
For more specific program information, contact newleaseonlife@dc.gov. For a complete list of agencies and service providers, please visit Resources.
Unit Identification
Client seeks and selects a unit with assistance from program provider. Unit must be in line with rent reasonableness standards.
Lease Up
Once a unit has passed inspection, the lease-up is scheduled.