Lee County Housing Development Corporation

ORGANIZATION WAS FORMED TO PROVIDE LOW INCOME FAMILIES OF LEE COUNTY FLORIDA WITH AFFORDABLE HOUSING BY CONSTRUCTING AND PROVIDING NEEDED RESOURCES TO SUCH INDIVIDUALS WHO WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO AFFORD SUCH HOUSING FOR THEMSELVES OR THEIR FAMILIES.

CONSTRUCTION OF SINGLE FAMILY RESIDENTIAL HOMES AND RENTAL ASSISTANCE FOR QUALIFIED LOW INCOME RESIDENTS OF LEE COUNTY FLORIDA. OVER 43 FAMILIES OR INDIVIDUALS RECEIVED RENTAL ASSISTANCE.

HOUSING COUNSELING SERVICES HOUSING COUNSELING SERVICES FBC - FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT AND BUDGET COUNSELING PPC - PRE-PURCHASE COUNSELING DFC - MORTGAGE DELINQUENCY AND DEFAULT RESOLUTION COUNSELING RHC- RENTAL HOUSING COUNSELING HIC- HOME IMPROVEMENT AND REHABILITATION COUNSELING LCHDC COVERS THE ENTIRE PROCESS OF HOMEOWNERSHIP FOR CLIENTS THAT RECEIVE HOMEOWNERSHIP COUNSELING, INCLUDING THE DECISION TO PURCHASE A HOME, THE SELECTION AND PURCHASE OF A HOME, ISSUES ARISING DURING OR AFFECTING THE PERIOD OF OWNERSHIP OF A HOME (INCLUDING FINANCING, REFINANCING, DEFAULT, AND FORECLOSURE, AND OTHER FINANCIAL DECISIONS), AND THE SALE OR OTHER DISPOSITION OF A HOME. THESE TOPICS ARE COVERED IN PRE-PURCHASE HOMEBUYER EDUCATION WORKSHOPS AND COUNSELING AND ARE ALSO COVERED WHEN APPLICABLE FOR CLIENTS SEEKING OTHER COUNSELING SERVICES. FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT/BUDGET COUNSELING: INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES MEET WITH COUNSELORS DURING ONE-ON-ONE APPOINTMENTS TO UNDERSTAND: CREDIT REPAIR OPTIONS AND CREATING SPENDING PLANS TO ADDRESS CREDIT OR BUDGET CONCERNS. CREDIT REPORTS ARE PULLED FROM 3 OF THE MAJOR REPORTING AGENCIES AND USED TO CREATE ACTION PLANS FOR REMOVING THE BARRIERS TO HOME PURCHASE. EACH CLIENT WORKS WITH A CERTIFIED HOUSING COUNSELOR TO ESTABLISH A FOLLOW UP SCHEDULE. CLIENTS CAN MEET WITH CERTIFIED HOUSING COUNSELORS AS NECESSARY FOR UP TO 24 MONTHS TO REACH ALL STATED GOALS. CLIENTS REMAIN IN THE PROGRAM AS LONG AS MILESTONES ARE BEING ACHIEVED. LCHDC OFFERS COUNSELING TO NEW HOMEOWNERS TO HELP THEM REVIEW THEIR BUDGET ONCE THE NEW HOUSE PAYMENT HAS STARTED. LCHDC PROVIDES INFORMATION TO CLIENTS ABOUT SPECIFIC LENDER REFINANCE OPTIONS AS APPROPRIATE. PRE-PURCHASE COUNSELING THE INDIVIDUAL HOMEBUYER COUNSELING PROCESS CONSISTS OF TAKING THE PROSPECTIVE BUYER THROUGH ALL THE STEPS OF HOME PURCHASE. THESE SESSIONS, CONDUCTED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH, INCLUDE PROVIDING CONTENT INSTRUCTION AND GUIDANCE ON: -CREDIT AND BUDGET COUNSELING; -CREDIT REPAIR AS NEEDED; -SELECTING A HOME; -FAIR HOUSING; -UNDERSTANDING A CONTRACT; -TYPES OF MORTGAGES AVAILABLE; -OPREPARING FOR A MORTGAGE APPLICATION; -SPECIAL PROGRAMS AVAILABLE SUCH AS DOWN PAYMENT ASSISTANCE; -OTHE CLOSING PROCESS AND DOCUMENTS REQUIRED; -THE IMPORTANCE OF SAVING AFTER THE CLOSING FOR REPAIRS AND EMERGENCIES; PARTICIPANTS OF LCHDC PRE-PURCHASE COUNSELING SESSIONS RECEIVE A COPY OF THE HUD DOCUMENT, "FOR YOUR PROTECTION: GET A HOME INSPECTION" EXPLAINING THE IMPORTANCE OF THE HOME INSPECTION. PARTICIPANTS SIGN AND A COPY IS PLACED IN THE CLIENT FILE. MORTGAGE DELINQUENCY AND DEFAULT RESOLUTION COUNSELING LCHDC PROVIDES FORECLOSURE PREVENTION COUNSELING TO HOUSEHOLDS WHO ARE IN DEFAULT OR AT RISK OF DEFAULTING ON THEIR MORTGAGE. FORECLOSURE COUNSELING IS OFFERED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH. IN RESPONSE TO THE NEED, LCHDC HAS TRIED TO BE FLEXIBLE AND TO CREATE COUNSELING OPTIONS THAT WILL REACH A BROADER COMMUNITY. THE COUNSELING SESSION INCLUDES: -CREATING A BUDGET/ SPENDING PLAN REVIEW -CONTACTING THE LENDER TO REVIEW AVAILABLE WORKOUT SOLUTIONS -COMPLETING THE LENDER WORKOUT PACKAGE AND COLLECTING ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO RETURN TO THE LENDER BY FAX OR ONLINE -PROVIDING CLIENTS WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THAT MAY BENEFIT THEIR HOUSEHOLD. EVICTION PREVENTION AND RENTAL HOUSING COUNSELING TO ASSIST CLIENTS WITH HOUSING OPTIONS, HOUSING COUNSELORS HELP CLIENTS DETERMINE WHAT TYPE OF HOUSING MAY BE MOST APPROPRIATE DEPENDING ON THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES. CERTIFIED HOUSING COUNSELORS PROVIDE INFORMATION ON LOCAL MARKET RATE RENTAL, RENT SUBSIDY PROGRAMS, DEPOSIT ASSISTANCE, HOUSING SEARCH ASSISTANCE, FAIR HOUSING LAW AND REPORTING, LANDLORD TENANT LAWS, BACKGROUND AND CREDIT CHECKS, APPLYING FOR TENANCY, UNDERSTANDING LEASE TERMS, COMMUNICATION WITH LANDLORDS, RENT DELINQUENCY, AND AVOIDING EVICTION. COUNSELORS WILL ASSIST CLIENTS WITH CREATING A SUSTAINABLE BUDGET/SPENDING PLAN FOR THEIR CURRENT HOUSEHOLD SITUATION AND WILL DEVELOP A CLEAR ACTION PLAN TO ACHIEVE THE OVERALL GOAL OF TRANSITIONING FROM RENTAL TO HOMEOWNERSHIP, IF DESIRED. WE ALSO ENCOURAGE RENTERS AND THOSE SEEKING TO RENT BE INFORMED OF THEIR TENANT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES. HOME IMPROVEMENT AND REHABILITATION COUNSELING THROUGH THE STATE HOUSING INITIATIVE PARTNERSHIP (SHIP) GRANT, LCHDC ASSISTS OWNER OCCUPANT RESIDENTS OF LEE COUNTY MAKE HOME REPAIRS TO CORRECT AN URGENT HEALTH OR SAFETY CONCERN DUE TO A NATURAL DISASTER. EXAMPLES INCLUDE SIGNIFICANT ROOF REPAIRS OR HEATING SYSTEM FAILURE. APPLICANTS MUST QUALIFY BASED ON HOUSEHOLD INCOME AND OTHER CRITERIA. TO ENSURE THAT LCHDC DELIVERS HIGH-QUALITY PROGRAMS AND SERVICES, ALL COUNSELING, EDUCATION AND COACHING CLIENTS TO COMPLETE EVALUATIONS AFTER EACH WORKSHOP OR INDIVIDUAL SESSION. THIS FEEDBACK IS REVIEWED AND USED TO REVISE HOUSING COUNSELING PROGRAMS WHEN NECESSARY. WRITTEN REPORTS ON THE STATUS OF HOUSING COUNSELING ACTIVITIES (INCLUDING OUTCOMES OUTLINED IN GRANT CONTRACTS AND LCHDC'S OWN YEARLY STRATEGIC/OUTCOME PLAN) ARE SUBMITTED TO THE PRESIDENT/CEO MONTHLY AND TO THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS ON A QUARTERLY BASIS. IN ADDITION, LCHDC HAS FORMED A BOARD PROGRAM COMMITTEE, WHICH RECEIVES REPORTS ON THE STATUS OF OUTCOMES AND IS ASKED TO HELP LCHDC DEVELOP AND FOLLOW BEST PRACTICES IN THE PROVISION OF HOUSING COUNSELING SERVICES. EACH PARTICIPANT FILE CONTAINS AN ACTIVITY CHECKLIST AND IS KEPT IN A LOCKED FILE CABINET. THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING ADVISORY IS RESPONSIBLE FOR GRANT COMPLIANCE AND QUALITY CONTROL. LCHDC'S PROTOCOL REQUIRE CLIENTS TO FOLLOW-UP WITH HOUSING COUNSELOR WITHIN 30 DAYS AFTER THE INITIAL COUNSELING SESSION. IF NO CONTACT IS MADE, THE FILE IS DOCUMENTED, AND COUNSELING IS TERMINATED. IF CONTACT IS MADE, THE COUNSELOR WILL NOTATE THE PROGRESS OF THE CLIENT IN RESOLVING THE HOUSING RELATED ISSUE AND WHETHER FURTHER COUNSELING IS NEEDED OR DESIRED. LCHDC'S PROGRAM ASSISTANT RESPONDS TO INCOMING INQUIRIES. CALLS ARE EITHER HANDLED IMMEDIATELY OR RETURNED WITHIN 1 BUSINESS DAY. APPOINTMENTS ARE SCHEDULED NO MORE THAN ONE WEEK OUT UNLESS IT IS AT THE CLIENT'S OPTION. MESSAGES ARE RECORDED IN A LOGBOOK TO ENSURE ACCURATE AND TIMELY RESPONSES. ALL HOUSING ADVISORY SERVICES EMPLOYEES UNDERGO BI-ANNUAL PERFORMANCE EVALUATIONS, WHICH ARE COMPLETED BY THE DIRECTOR OF HOUSING ADVISORY, REVIEWED BY THE HUMAN RESOURCES DIRECTOR AND PRESIDENT/CEO AND KEPT IN THE EMPLOYEE PERSONNEL FILES. GROUP WORKSHOPS -PPW-PRE-PURCHASE HOMEBUYER EDUCATION WORKSHOPS -FBW - FINANCIAL, BUDGETING, AND CREDIT WORKSHOPS -RHW-RENTAL HOUSING WORKSHOP PRE-PURCHASE HOMEBUYER EDUCATION WORKSHOPS: LCHDC CURRENTLY ADMINISTERS GROUP EDUCATION PROGRAMS IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH TO ASSIST POTENTIAL HOMEOWNERS WITH THE HOME-BUYING PROCESS. WORKSHOPS ARE OPEN TO THE PUBLIC. LCHDC CONDUCTS HOMEBUYER EDUCATION WORKSHOPS TWO SATURDAY MORNINGS PER MONTH AND FOUR WEEKDAY EVENINGS PER MONTH (A TOTAL OF 8 HOURS PER SERIES), 11 MONTHS EACH YEAR. LCHDC STAFF INSTRUCTS CLIENTS ON: -UNDERSTANDING DEBT TO INCOME RATIO AND AFFORDABLE HOUSING COSTS; -MAINTAINING AND IMPROVING CREDIT; -UNDERSTANDING CONTRACTS; -FINDING APPROPRIATE MORTGAGES/LENDERS; -WHAT LENDERS LOOK FOR WHEN APPROVING MORTGAGE LOANS; -UNDERSTANDING CLOSING COSTS AND WHAT HAPPENS AT CLOSING; -THE IMPORTANCE OF HOMEOWNER'S INSURANCE. -FORECLOSURE PREVENTION AND AVOIDING LOAN SCAMS; -HOME MAINTENANCE, INCLUDING ENERGY EFFICIENCY, AND THE IMPORTANCE OF CIVIC INVOLVEMENT. THE LCHDC HOUSING CERTIFIED HOUSING COUNSELORS FACILITATE ALL GROUP EDUCATION PROGRAMS. PROGRAMS ARE SUPPLEMENTED WITH VOLUNTEERS FROM LENDING INSTITUTIONS, TITLE AGENCIES, LOCAL REALTORS, HOME INSPECTORS AND OTHER COMMUNITY PARTNERS TO PROVIDE INSTRUCTION ABOUT LOANS, WORKING WITH A REALTOR, AND HOME INSPECTIONS. LCHDC PROVIDES EACH CLIENT WITH A COPY OF HUD FORM 92564 "FOR YOUR PROTECTION GET A HOME INSPECTION,- AND "TEN IMPORTANT QUESTIONS TO ASK A HOME INSPECTOR" DURING THE WORKSHOP. ATTENDEES ALSO RECEIVE FANNIE MAE HOMEOWNERSHIP BROCHURES; LCHDC'S OWN INFORMATIONAL BOOKLET, WHICH DRAWS ON THE NEIGHBORWORKS CURRICULUM REALIZING THE AMERICAN DREAM, 5TH EDITION; AND FTC FACTS FOR CONSUMERS PAMPHLETS. LCHDC HOUSING CERTIFIED HOUSING COUNSELORS ALSO UTILIZE LOCAL BOARD OF REALTORS' CONTRACTS, CLOSING DISCLOSURES, AND COPIES OF THE FHA NOTE AND MORTGAGE TO ACQUAINT CLIENTS WITH THE HOME PURCHASE PROCESS. IN ADDITION TO HOME PURCHASE INFORMATION, POST-PURCHASE ISSUES, FORECLOSURE PREVENTION, INFORMATION ABOUT LOAN SCAMS ARE ALSO ADDRESSED. ALL WORKSHOP PARTICIPANTS ARE ELIGIBLE TO RECEIVE CREDIT AND BUDGET COUNSELING AND CLOSING DOCUMENT REVIEW. COPIES OF BROCHURE ON LEAD BASED PAINTS ARE MADE AVAILABLE ON THE TABLE OF HANDOUTS DURING EACH HOMEBUYER EDUCATION WORKSHOP. COPIES ARE ALSO AVAILABLE IN RESOURCE ROOM TO DISTRIBUTE IN INDIVIDUAL COUNSELING SESSIONS, AS NEEDED. FINANCIAL, BUDGETING AND CREDIT WORKSHOPS: LCHDC PROVIDES CUSTOMIZABLE FINANCIAL, BUDGETING, AND CREDIT WORKSHOPS. INSTRUCTION CAN BE DELIVERED IN ENGLISH OR SPANISH. THESE WORKSHOPS ARE AVAILABLE

COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT BLOCK GRANT-CORONOVIRUS RELIEF (CDBG-CV) BEFORE THE COVID-19 CRISIS, HOUSING AFFORDABILITY AND INSTABILITY WERE SERIOUS PROBLEMS. THAT'S ESPECIALLY TRUE IN HIGH-COST COASTAL MARKETS AND HIGH-OPPORTUNITY NEIGHBORHOODS EVERYWHERE. THE IMMEDIATE RECOVERY PERIOD AFTER THE PANDEMIC SUBSIDES OFFERED A RARE OPPORTUNITY. FUNDING SUPPORTED HOUSING COUNSELING AGENCIES IN THEIR CRITICAL WORK TO STEM THE TIDE OF THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC'S IMPACT ON HOUSING, MAINTAIN HOUSING STABILITY BY HELPING FAMILIES WITH FORECLOSURE AND RENTAL EVICTION PREVENTION, AND HELP FAMILIES MAKE MORE INFORMED HOUSING CHOICES. SERVICES PROVDED UNDER CDBG-CV PROGRAM: MORTGAGE DELINQUENCY AND DEFAULT RESOLUTION COUNSELING LCHDC PROVIDES FORECLOSURE PREVENTION COUNSELING TO HOUSEHOLDS WHO ARE IN DEFAULT OR AT RISK OF DEFAULTING ON THEIR MORTGAGE. FORECLOSURE COUNSELING IS OFFERED IN BOTH ENGLISH AND SPANISH. IN RESPONSE TO THE NEED, LCHDC HAS TRIED TO BE FLEXIBLE AND TO CREATE COUNSELING OPTIONS THAT WILL REACH A BROADER COMMUNITY. THE COUNSELING SESSION INCLUDES: -CREATING A BUDGET/ SPENDING PLAN REVIEW -CONTACTING THE LENDER TO REVIEW AVAILABLE WORKOUT SOLUTIONS -COMPLETING THE LENDER WORKOUT PACKAGE AND COLLECTING ALL REQUIRED DOCUMENTS TO RETURN TO THE LENDER BY FAX OR ONLINE -PROVIDING CLIENTS WITH FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAMS THAT MAY BENEFIT THEIR HOUSEHOLD. EVICTION PREVENTION AND RENTAL HOUSING COUNSELING TO ASSIST CLIENTS WITH HOUSING OPTIONS, HOUSING COUNSELORS ASSISTED CLIENTS IN DETERMINING WHAT TYPE OF HOUSING MAY BE MOST APPROPRIATE DEPENDING ON THEIR CIRCUMSTANCES. CERTIFIED HOUSING COUNSELORS PROVIDE INFORMATION ON LOCAL MARKET RATE RENTAL, RENT SUBSIDY PROGRAMS, DEPOSIT ASSISTANCE, HOUSING SEARCH ASSISTANCE, FAIR HOUSING LAW AND REPORTING, LANDLORD TENANT LAWS, BACKGROUND AND CREDIT CHECKS, APPLYING FOR TENANCY, UNDERSTANDING LEASE TERMS, COMMUNICATION WITH LANDLORDS, RENT DELINQUENCY, AND AVOIDING EVICTION. COUNSELORS WILL ASSIST CLIENTS WITH CREATING A SUSTAINABLE BUDGET/SPENDING PLAN FOR THEIR CURRENT HOUSEHOLD SITUATION AND WILL DEVELOP A CLEAR ACTION PLAN TO ACHIEVE THE OVERALL GOAL OF TRANSITIONING FROM RENTAL TO HOMEOWNERSHIP, IF DESIRED. WE ALSO ENCOURAGE RENTERS AND THOSE SEEKING TO RENT BE INFORMED OF THEIR TENANT RIGHTS AND RESPONSIBILITIES.

FY2021 RAPID RE-HOUSING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE (RRHDV) PROJECT DESCRIPTION PROJECT SCOPE THE PROJECT IS STRUCTURED AS A COLLABORATION WITH OTHER AGENCIES, INCLUDING THE ACT SHELTER, WORKFORCE DEVELOPMENT BOARD/CAREERSOURCE SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, AND OTHER SERVICE PROVIDERS WITHIN THE COC, TO DRAW ON SPECIFIC EXPERTISE, SKILLS AND RESOURCES NECESSARY TO ASSIST CLIENTS IN OBTAINING AND MAINTAINING PERMANENT HOUSING. PARTNER AGENCIES WILL AID WITH INTAKE AFTER HOURS AND ON WEEKENDS, AND COMPLETE ASSESSMENTS FOR HOUSEHOLDS THAT ARE BEING REFERRED TO LCHDC'S RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM. AS ASSESSMENTS ARE COMPLETED, REFERRALS WILL BE MADE TO LCHDC FOR RAPID REHOUSING ASSISTANCE. LCHDC WILL RECEIVE REFERRALS THROUGH THE COORDINATED ENTRY SYSTEM, AND WILL REQUIRE DOCUMENTATION FROM LOCAL HOMELESS SHELTERS (E.G. SALVATION ARMY OR LOCAL CHURCH), THE ABUSE SHELTER (E.G. ACT SHELTER), OUTREACH WORKERS, OR FROM THE CLIENT TO ENSURE THAT THE CLIENT MEETS ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS FOR THE PROGRAM. ONCE CLIENTS ARE DETERMINED ELIGIBLE, RAPID REHOUSING PROGRAM FUNDS WILL BE USED TO PROVIDE SHORT-TERM RENTAL, AND/OR SECURITY DEPOSIT ASSISTANCE AND ACCOMPANYING, LIMITED SUPPORTIVE SERVICES, AS NEEDED, TO HELP AN INDIVIDUAL OR FAMILY MOVE QUICKLY INTO PERMANENT HOUSING AND ACHIEVE STABILITY. THE MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROVIDED WILL NOT EXCEED FOUR MONTHS (RENTAL/UTILITY) PER HOUSEHOLD, BASED UPON FUNDING AVAILABILITY. CLIENTS RECEIVING RENTAL ASSISTANCE WILL MEET WITH A CASE MANAGER TO DEVELOP A CASE PLAN. THE CASEWORKER WILL REGULARLY EVALUATE PROGRESS WITH THE CLIENT AND ENSURE THAT APPROPRIATE REFERRALS ARE BEING MADE TO ENSURE SELF-SUFFICIENCY AND HOUSING STABILITY. LCHDC WILL REFER ALL PROGRAM PARTICIPANTS TO CAREERSOURCE TO ASSIST WITH INCREASING THEIR INCOME AND EDUCATION. EMPLOYMENT SERVICES CAN HELP BUILD THE SKILLS NECESSARY TO INCREASE THEIR INCOME, ATTAIN FINANCIAL INDEPENDENCE, AND MAINTAIN HOUSING. SUCH SERVICES HAVE ALSO BEEN SHOWN TO INCREASE CONFIDENCE AND POSITIVE MENTAL HEALTH OUTCOMES, EVEN FOR POPULATIONS TRADITIONALLY BELIEVED TO BE UNSUITABLE FOR REGULAR EMPLOYMENT. LEE COUNTY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT HAS ONE CASE MANAGER WITH LIVED EXPERIENCES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WHO WILL BE INSTRUMENTAL IN FACILITATING CASE MANAGEMENT SERVICES AS WELL AS PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL WORKSHOPS FAMILIES WILL BE ABLE TO USE AS A TOOL AS THEY AIM FOR HOUSING STABILITY. PROGRAM OBJECTIVES & OUTCOMES: SINCE INCEPTION IN 1991, LEE COUNTY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION (LCHDC), A HUD APPROVED HOUSING COUNSELING AGENCY HAS PROVIDED QUALITY AFFORDABLE HOUSING, HOUSING COUNSELING, RENTAL ASSISTANCE, AND EDUCATIONAL SERVICES, SUPPLEMENTED WITH COMPREHENSIVE SUPPORT FOR OVER 3,000 LOW AND MODERATELY LOW-INCOME SOUTHWEST FLORIDA RESIDENTS. THESE SERVICES EFFECT POSITIVE CHANGE BY HELPING LOW- AND MODERATE-INCOME INDIVIDUALS AND FAMILIES REACH A GOAL OF HOME OWNERSHIP. SINCE 2019, LEE COUNTY HOUSING DEVELOPMENT HAS EXPERIENCE IN HOUSING AND PROVIDING SUPPORT SERVICES IN CONJUNCTION WITH LOCAL EMERGENCY SHELTERS; SPECIFICALLY, THE ACT SHELTER, WHICH IS A SAFE HAVEN FOR WOMEN AND CHILDREN FLEEING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. THROUGH OUR RAPID RE-HOUSING DOMESTIC VIOLENCE PROGRAM (RRHDV 2020-2021 55,635), LCHDC RECEIVED FUNDING TO ASSIST APPROXIMATELY TWENTY-FIVE HOUSEHOLDS OBTAIN AND MAINTAIN PERMANENT, SAFE, AFFORDABLE HOUSING; WHILE PROVIDING CASE MANAGEMENT AND HOUSING SEARCH FOR AN ADDITIONAL FIFTY HOUSEHOLDS FLEEING OR ATTEMPTING TO FLEE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. TARGET POULATIONS RAPID RE-HOUSING IS AN EFFECTIVE INTERVENTION FOR MANY DIFFERENT TYPES OF HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS, INCLUDING THOSE WITH NO INCOME, WITH DISABILITIES, AND WITH POOR RENTAL HISTORY. THE MAJORITY OF HOUSEHOLDS EXPERIENCING HOMELESSNESS ARE GOOD CANDIDATES FOR RAPID RE-HOUSING. THE ONLY EXCEPTIONS ARE HOUSEHOLDS THAT CAN EXIT HOMELESSNESS WITH LITTLE OR NO ASSISTANCE, THOSE WHO EXPERIENCE CHRONIC HOMELESSNESS AND WHO NEED PERMANENT SUPPORTIVE HOUSING, AND HOUSEHOLDS WHO ARE SEEKING A THERAPEUTIC RESIDENTIAL ENVIRONMENT, INCLUDING THOSE RECOVERING FROM ADDICTION. ALTHOUGH OUR PRIMARY TARGET COMMUNITY TO BE SERVED IS THE LEE COUNTY METROPOLITAN STATISTICAL AREA (MSA), LCHDC'S RAPID REHOUSING (RRHDV) PROGRAM WILL BE OPEN TO SERVE ANY LEE COUNTY HOUSEHOLDS FLEEING OR ATTEMPTING TO FLEE DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. HOUSING NEEDS AND PROBLEMS IN 2019, 105,298 CRIMES OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE WERE REPORTED TO FLORIDA LAW ENFORCEMENT AGENCIES RESULTING IN 66,069 ARRESTS. DURING FISCAL YEAR 2019- 20, FLORIDA'S CERTIFIED DOMESTIC VIOLENCE CENTERS PROVIDED 563,721 NIGHTS OF EMERGENCY SHELTER TO 13,250 SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE AND THEIR CHILDREN. ADVOCATES CREATED 153,757 TAILORED SAFETY PLANS, PROVIDED A TOTAL OF 233,602 HOURS OF ADVOCACY AND COUNSELING SERVICES, AND RECEIVED 73,817 DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINE CALLS FROM INDIVIDUAL SEEKING EMERGENCY SERVICES, INFORMATION, AND SAFETY PLANNING ASSISTANCE. MANY MORE SURVIVORS OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE ARE NOT REPORTING THEIR ABUSERS TO THE POLICE OR ACCESSING SERVICES AT DOMESTIC VIOLENCE SERVICES DUE TO REASONS SUCH AS SHAME, FEAR, OR BEING PREVENTED FROM DOING SO BY THEIR ABUSERS. FOR THIS REASON, WE MAY NEVER KNOW THE TRUE EXTENT OF ABUSE IN OUR COUNTRY AND IN OUR STATE. MOREOVER, A NEW STUDY SHOWS DOMESTIC VIOLENCE INCIDENTS SPIKED MORE THAN 8% NATIONWIDE IN 2020 FOLLOWING LOCKDOWN ORDERS INTENDED TO STOP THE SPREAD OF THE CORONAVIRUS PANDEMIC - A TREND ALSO SEEN IN CENTRAL FLORIDA, ACCORDING TO ONE LOCAL LEADER. THE ANALYSIS FROM THE NATIONAL COMMISSION ON COVID-19 AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE IS BASED ON MULTIPLE STUDIES FROM U.S. CITIES THAT USED DATA FROM POLICE CALLS, DOMESTIC VIOLENCE HOTLINES AND HEALTH RECORDS, SAID CATHERINE KAUKINEN, PROFESSOR AND CRIMINAL JUSTICE DEPARTMENT CHAIR AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, WHO IS ALSO ONE OF THE REPORT'S AUTHORS. STAY-AT-HOME AND LOCKDOWN ORDERS RELATED TO COVID-19, UNEMPLOYMENT, FINANCIAL INSECURITY AND THE STRESS OF CHILD CARE LIKELY EXACERBATED FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH DOMESTIC VIOLENCE, KAUKINEN SAID. COVID-19 REALLY DID PROVIDE, FOR LACK OF A BETTER WORD, SORT OF A PERFECT STORM TO BRING TOGETHER FACTORS THAT OUTSIDE OF A PANDEMIC WOULD LEAD TO DOMESTIC VIOLENCE. MORE VICTIMS REACHED OUT TO HARBOR HOUSE OF CENTRAL FLORIDA FOR SERVICES DURING THE PANDEMIC LAST YEAR, THOUGH IT WASN'T ALWAYS FOR SHELTER, SAID MICHELLE SPERZEL, THE ORGANIZATION'S CEO. HOUSING FIRST APPROACH HOUSING FIRST IS AN APPROACH TO HOMELESS ASSISTANCE THAT PRIORITIZES RAPID PERMANENT HOUSING PLACEMENT AND STABILIZATION AND DOES NOT HAVE SERVICE PARTICIPATION REQUIREMENTS OR PRECONDITIONS. LCHDC WORKFORCE HOUSING PROJECT WILL FOLLOW A HOUSING FIRST APPROACH BY USING UNIFORM STANDARDS OF OPERATING COC FUNDED PROJECTS. OUR APPROACH WOULD PROVIDE SOME LONG-TERM AFFORDABLE RENTAL UNITS TO ALL INDIVIDUALS WHILE HELPING TO IMPROVE THE HOUSING MARKET. CLIENTS WILL BE ENCOURAGED TO SELECT HOUSING IN ANY AREA, PURSUANT TO AVAILABILITY AND RENT REASONABLENESS. IT IS THE CLIENT'S CHOICE TO DETERMINE THEIR PLACE OF RESIDENCY WITHIN LEE COUNTY. LCHDC WILL ALSO ASSIST CLIENTS WITH THIS PART OF THEIR WORK PLAN IN SECURING A SAFE UNIT TO LIVE IN AND WILL PERFORM AN INSPECTION TO MAKE SURE PROPERTY MEETS THE HABITABILITY STANDARDS. HOUSEHOLDS WILL BE ASSIGNED A CASE MANAGER AT INTAKE AND FROM THIS TIME THE CASE MANAGER WILL ASSUME PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITY FOR COORDINATING SERVICES, WITH A FOCUS ON SETTING AND ACHIEVING GOALS-RELATED TO OBTAINING AND MAINTAINING PERMANENT HOUSING. THE CASE MANAGER WILL ALSO PERFORM THE FOLLOWING: 1. ASSIST THE HOUSEHOLD IN IDENTIFYING AND PRIORITIZING STEPS NEEDED TO ACHIEVE HOUSING STABILITY AND DEVELOPING STRATEGIES TO OVERCOME BARRIERS TO SUCCESS. 2. DEVELOP A BUDGET WITH HOUSEHOLD TO PROMOTE THE RETENTION OF STABLE HOUSING. 3. BE FAMILIAR WITH THE PROGRAM SERVICE AREA AND ACTIVELY CULTIVATE A WORKING KNOWLEDGE OF AND CONNECTIONS TO RELEVANT AREA RESOURCES SUCH AS: EMERGENCY SERVICES, PUBLIC BENEFIT PROGRAMS, EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS, MENTAL AND PHYSICAL HEALTH CARE PROGRAMS, EMPLOYMENT SERVICES, CHILD CARE RESOURCES AND ANY ADDITIONAL RESOURCES NEEDED TO ADDRESS HOUSEHOLD NEEDS AND GOALS. 4. CONNECT FAMILIES TO MAINSTREAM HOUSING PROGRAMS THAT WILL ADDRESS CLIENTS LONG-TERM HOUSING NEEDS (E.G. COORDINATING REFERRALS TO THE LOCAL PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES FOR MAINSTREAM VOUCHERS AND OR SUBSIDIZED PUBLIC HOUSING UNITS, ETC.)