Housing for Success (H4S) Program Policies

Program components that are not explicitly addressed in this Policy framework will be guided by the existing policies and practices of the Housing Authority of Clackamas County (HACC), including its Administrative Plan.

Overview

H4S is a locally funded, time-limited rent assistance program administered by HACC. The program is designed to support households who are transitioning from the Regional Long-Term Rent Assistance (RLRA) program and who are no longer eligible for tenant-based Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) due to changes in RLRA policy.

H4S offers rent assistance for up to three years and provides structured case management to help households increase their income, reduce reliance on public assistance, and work toward long-term housing stability. The program is modeled after HUD’s Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) program but offers more flexibility due to its local funding source.

A key feature of H4S is a savings component that allows households to accumulate funds based on increases in their earned income*. When a household’s income increases and results in a higher tenant rent portion, the increased amount will be deposited into a designated savings account on behalf of the household. These funds do not accrue interest and may be accessed to support employment-related goals during the program and are fully disbursed upon successful completion of the household set goals.

Participation in H4S is voluntary. Eligible households must sign a Participation Agreement, commit to working on specific self-sufficiency goals, and engage with their assigned case manager throughout the duration of the program.

*For the purposes of H4S, earned income includes wages, salaries, tips, commissions, and income from self-employment, as well as any other compensation received for personal services.

Supportive Housing Services Program Alignment

The H4S program operates within the broader framework of the regional Supportive Housing Services (SHS) program. While H4S is a time-limited rent assistance initiative focused on self-sufficiency, it remains closely aligned with the core components of SHS to ensure continuity of care, participant stability, and long-term success.

H4S rent assistance will work in coordination with the following SHS components:

Housing Navigation: H4S participants may continue to receive housing navigation support as needed, including assistance with locating housing, submitting applications, requesting reasonable accommodations, and navigating lease-up and landlord communications. These supports help ensure successful placement and retention.
Supportive Services: Participants are required to engage with case management or service coordination during their time in H4S. Wraparound services, such as employment and income supports, health and wellness resources, and legal or benefit navigation, will be integrated where available. Flexible funds may be used in tandem with savings to reduce barriers to goal achievement.
System Capacity: H4S contributes to the overall capacity-building efforts of the SHS system by helping shift households toward greater independence, freeing up longer-term resources for those with higher needs.

Participation and Engagement

H4S participants are required to meet with their case manager at least once per month. Meeting date/time/format is to be scheduled to accommodate participants as much as possible, especially as participant work schedules shift as they grow their income. Meetings may be held via phone or video call. At a minimum, a meeting must include review of goals, progress to goals, and identification of any barriers or additional support needed.

Participants may move to quarterly check-ins only if approved by the case manager, based on consistent engagement and demonstrated progress toward program goals. Participants must remain actively engaged in case management, goal-related activities, and make progress towards the goals outlined in their Individual Goals Plan (IGP).

Individual Goals Plan (IGP)

To facilitate participant accountability, the IGP must be discussed at least once per month (or quarterly, if approved) during meetings, and the participant must agree to at least one measurable task related to at least one goal in their IGP. While the overall goal for every participant will be to increase income, ongoing participant engagement will require the participant to attempt specific and demonstrable progress toward their goal through these tasks. Tasks will be discussed between the case manager and participant and determined by the individual household needs. Example tasks could include job applications, interviews, meetings with employment services, and maintaining new income. Each meeting must result in at least one documented task for the participant to measure their overall progress toward reaching all goals in their IGP.

H4S Participant Disengagement

A participant is considered disengaged when they fail to meet the participation requirements outlined above, including:

Meeting with their case manager at least once per month (or quarterly if approved).
Remaining actively involved in goal-related activities and making progress toward the goals in their Individual Goals Plan (IGP).

Disengagement may be determined if:

The participant misses two scheduled weekly (or quarterly, if approved) meetings, without rescheduling with their case manager,
Does not respond to at least three documented engagement attempts over a 60-day period,
Fails to complete necessary program paperwork, OR
Fails to attempt and/or complete any tasks related to IGP goals over a 90-day period.

Once disengagement is confirmed, the household may be subject to discontinuation of rental assistance and, in certain cases, forfeiture of savings, in accordance with H4S policies. These engagement requirements are mandatory and enforceable under H4S program policies, regardless of a participant’s connection to other SHS-funded services.

Through this alignment, H4S ensures that participants are supported not only with rent assistance but also with access to the broader network of SHS-funded services designed to promote housing stability and long-term well-being.

Guiding Principles

The H4S program is rooted in a commitment to lead with racial equity by centering the experiences of Black, Indigenous and people of color (BIPOC) who continue to be disproportionately impacted by housing instability and systemic barriers to economic opportunities. The program is designed to support households in building long-term stability by combining rent assistance with structured job coaching, income growth goals, and a saving incentive.

H4S reflects the same equity foundation as the RLRA program, while also introducing strategies that promote self-sufficiency and economic mobility. This includes reducing barriers to program access, aligning support with participant goals, and using data to evaluate progress toward equitable outcomes.

Implementation of the H4S program will be guided by the following principles:

Lead with racial equity and work toward racial justice
Support economic mobility and self-sufficiency by pairing rent assistance with goal setting, job coaching, and a savings component that encourages income growth.
Provide housing stability for households who are experiencing or at risk of homelessness, particularly those transitioning from RLRA due to shifts in funding eligibility.
Ensure equitable access by removing screening barriers and simplifying application processes.
Actively work to preserve participant access to the program and prevent eviction and discontinuation of rent assistance, using Housing First principles
Build and maintain strong partnerships with landlords and property managers through clear communication and streamlined processes.
Support regional consistency in policy while allowing local flexibility to respond to the needs and resources of Clackamas County.
Align rent assistance with supportive services and housing navigation, recognizing that housing stability requires more than financial support.
Adapt to participant needs over time, offering a flexible structure that can accommodate changing life circumstances, progress toward goals, and opportunities for interim access to saved funds.

Tenant-based H4S Policies

Tenant Referral, Eligibility and Documentation

Referral process:

The H4S program is designed to support a targeted transition of households from the RLRA program, with the goal of promoting self-sufficiency and long-term stability through a structured, time-limited rent assistance model.

To ensure an equitable and intentional transition process, the following prioritization will guide enrollment and referral into H4S:

Priority 1: Population B Households Exiting RLRA

Priority enrollment is reserved for RLRA participants identified as Population B, who are no longer eligible to receive tenant-based Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) due to RLRA policy changes. These households will be referred directly by HACC and service provider partners and transitioned to H4S in phased groups over a defined implementation period.

To streamline the transition for these households:

A full eligibility screening will not be required. HACC will rely on existing RLRA documentation to verify program history and housing status, as these households are already leased in place.
Current RTAs, leases, and inspection records from RLRA will carry over to H4S, provided there have been no changes to the unit or lease terms.
New income verification will be required to establish a baseline for participation in H4S and to initiate the savings component. This includes documentation of all sources of income, if the household has zero income, they will need to complete a zero income form.
A new HAP contract will be required for each unit, reflecting the household’s transition to the H4S program.
Households must complete a brief H4S application and attend a program orientation, as certain forms and expectations are different from the RLRA program.

These efforts are designed to reduce administrative burden while ensuring a clear transition into a goal-oriented, time-limited rent assistance program.

Priority 2: Other Referred Households

H4S will only accept referrals from the existing RLRA households, which may include individuals in either Population A or Population B. Once all eligible Population B households have been offered the opportunity to enroll, additional referrals from within the RLRA population may be considered for participation in H4S. All referrals in this secondary tier must meet the general eligibility criteria for H4S and will be considered on a space-available basis after Priority 1 referrals have been processed and dependent on funding availability.

Referrals under this category must be reviewed and approved by both the Housing Services Manager on the SHS side and the RLRA administrator on the HACC side.

Eligibility guidelines: Eligibility for the H4S program is based on the priority populations identified in the SHS program. Households must demonstrate the capacity and willingness to engage in services that support economic mobility and long-term housing stability.

H4S is intended for households who can benefit from time-limited rent assistance paired with case management, goal setting, and a savings incentive. Initial Eligibility is determined at program entry and is based on priority 1 and/or 2.

Clackamas County’s SHS program will determine how to allocate H4S resources based on local need, available funding, and alignment with SHS goals. While H4S operates within the SHS framework, it retains local flexibility to adapt eligibility practices to support program outcomes.

Tenant screening: Tenant screening will be the responsibility of the participating landlord or property manager. No tenant screening will be conducted by the H4S program and there will be no criteria for mandatory denials. The only screening conducted by the H4S program will be a verification system to ensure that applicants are not already receiving long-term rent assistance in another county or program.

Documentation guidelines: Documentation requirements for H4S eligibility will be flexible to minimize barriers. Government issued identification is preferred, but this can include documentation from any government agency containing the applicant’s name and date of birth. Citizenship status and criminal background will not be assessed. Program guidelines will specify that no social security numbers should be collected and will clarify alignment with HMIS standards.

Landlord Partnership

Landlord guarantee: All landlords leasing to H4S voucher holders will have access to a risk mitigation fund to cover costs of unit repair, legal action, and limited uncollected rents that are the responsibility of the tenant and in excess of any deposit, up to a certain amount.

Lease term: Twelve-month leases are preferred, but shorter leases are allowed if they are consistent with funder guidelines and the landlord’s practice with other housing. If the tenant is already in a housing unit prior to the H4S contract and has a current lease, then a new lease is not required.

Housing placement timeline: A standard period of up to 120 days is allowed for voucher holders to secure an appropriate housing unit. Extensions to this timeline are available to accommodate voucher holders actively engaged in the housing placement process who need additional time. Extensions will generally be granted by the H4S Administrator upon request, with some limitations.

Unit Eligibility

Unit location: Units must be located inside Metro’s jurisdictional boundary** and within Clackamas County to qualify for H4S assistance.

**In the event of extenuating circumstances that may necessitate a household to be served outside the Metro jurisdictional boundary, the H4S Administrator should refer to Metro’s exception process to seek pre-approval for such expenditures.

Exception/Waiver Policy:
In rare and extreme circumstances, participants may request a waiver to reside outside of Clackamas County but still within Metro’s Urban Growth Boundary. Waivers will only be considered on a case-by-case basis and must be supported by documented justification. Criteria that may qualify for a waiver include, but are not limited to:

Reasonable Accommodation: When required under fair housing or disability law to ensure equal access to housing or services.
Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, Sexual Assault, or Stalking (VAWA-related cases): When relocation is necessary for safety and stability.
Family Unification or Care Needs: When relocation is required to live near essential family support or caregiving arrangements.
Other Extreme Circumstances: When program leadership determines relocation is necessary to prevent harm, maintain stability, or address an urgent need that cannot reasonably be met within Clackamas County.

All waiver requests must:

Be submitted in writing by the participant or their case manager.
Include documentation supporting the request (e.g., medical verification, safety documentation, or other relevant records).
Be reviewed and approved by the H4S Administrator in consultation with program leadership.

Approval of a waiver is not guaranteed and will be granted only when the circumstances meet the above criteria and align with program and funding requirements.

Unit costs: Units must be “rent reasonable” as defined by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) standards to prevent rent gouging. Rent at initial lease up shall also not exceed 120% FMR across the region to contain program costs. A base rent worksheet will be used to assist applicants and landlords to easily understand the maximum contract rent allowed.

Unit size: H4S households must lease a unit that matches the bedroom size designated on their voucher. This requirement is intended to help participants maintain long-term housing stability by ensuring their rent costs remain manageable once rent assistance ends. Exceptions may only be granted with prior written approval from the H4S administrator for documented special circumstances (e.g., reasonable accommodation).

If extenuating circumstances require a household to rent a unit that is larger than program requirements for the household composition, the household must follow the H4S Administrator’s procedures. Requests will only be considered if the unit meets rent reasonable requirements and 120% FMR for the approved unit size.

Unit quality: Inspections to assess unit quality will use Housing Quality Standards (HQS) or the National Standards for the Physical Inspection of Real Estate (NSPIRE) when finalized and adopted by HUD. Units that do not meet HQS or NSPIRE will not be able to enter into an H4S contract. Inspection timelines are subject to H4S Administrator policies, but all inspections must be completed within 60 days of the effective date of the H4S contract. If the H4S Administrator permitted an H4S contract to be effective prior to completion of inspection, and the unit cannot pass inspection, the H4S contract will be dissolved but rent will be covered up to the failed inspection date. Inspections to assess unit eligibility will be required only for non-regulated units (i.e. units not already subject to habitability standards linked to another government funding source) that do not have other inspection standards and requirements.

Special housing types: Special housing types (SROs, congregate housing, group homes, shared housing, manufactured homes and cooperative housing) that meet HUD HQS/NSPIRE inspection guidelines will be eligible, with the goal of providing flexibility.

In alignment with H4S’s goal of promoting long-term housing stability and self-sufficiency, shared housing with roommates is permitted. Roommates may provide additional income support, help stabilize housing costs, and contribute to the household’s long-term sustainability. In these situations, HACC will assess the lease structure and payment arrangements to ensure clarity, affordability, and compliance with program requirements.

Participants should be aware that choosing to live with roommates may result in a lower tenant rent portion, which can reduce the monthly savings amount HACC contributes on their behalf. However, shared housing can still support participants in meeting overall goals of financial stability and successful program completion.

Rent Assistance

Rent calculation: The H4S program will use one consistent rent calculation for all households with incomes at or below 30% AMI. H4S will use 28.5% of gross income, with no deductions. Financial aid and incidental income (recycling, plasma, etc.) will not be counted toward the tenant’s income calculation. No rent minimums may be established. Flexible rent calculations that require households with incomes between 30% and 50% AMI to pay more than 28.5% of gross income may be considered.

Youth Income: Income earned by household members under the age of 18 will continue to be excluded from the H4S rent calculation by default. However, households may elect to include the income of youth under 18 in their rent calculation.

When youth income is included, it will be treated as earned income and subject to standard income verification procedures. The inclusion of youth income will result in an increased household rent portion, which will correspondingly increase the monthly deposit to the household’s H4S savings account.

The election to include youth income must be made in writing at the time of initial enrollment or during an interim recertification. Once elected, the inclusion will remain in effect until the next interim recertification unless the household requests its removal in writing.

Assets: Assets will not be used to determine H4S eligibility. When a household has an asset with a net value that exceeds $100,000 and the asset results in monthly or annual income for the tenant, the RLRA rent calculation may include the asset based on the asset calculation policy in each housing authority’s administrative plan. Any withdrawal of cash from an asset will be included in income.

Utility allowance: TheH4S program will factor in the reasonable cost of utilities paid separately when calculating rent contributions. Program participants will be reimbursed for the amount that this utility cost exceeds their rent contribution based on the H4S Administrator’s utility allowance schedule. Any reimbursement toward the utility costs can be paid directly to the utility, property management company or the household at the program’s discretion, with local flexibility based on funder requirements, etc.

Income reexaminations: The H4S program will NOT conduct annual, bi-annuals, or tri-annuals income reexaminations due to the limited duration of the program. Instead, H4S will focus on interim reexaminations to ensure income and household information remain current and the savings component is accurately updated.

Interim reexaminations may be conducted at any time and may be initiated by H4S staff, case manager or requested by the household in the following situations:

The household’s income decreases or increases,
The household has a change from zero income to positive income,
There is a change in household composition that affects income,
Or if the unit’s contract rent changes.

This interim reexamination process ensures accurate tracking of household income and rent contributions, which are used to calculate monthly savings deposits and maintain the integrity of the H4S savings component.

Household Changes During Program

Households over income: If a household’s income increases to the point where their rent portion equals or exceeds the full contract rent (i.e., rent assistance is reduced to $0), the rent contract may remain active until the end of the household’s three (3) year participation period or until the household reaches the maximum savings amount of $12,000, whichever comes first.

Because H4S is a time-limited program with a maximum participation period of three (3) years, accommodations beyond this timeframe will not be permitted.

Household membership: Household members can be added to an H4S contract at any time, as long as the household still meets income eligibility and unit capacity requirements and new household members are added to the lease.

Temporary vacancy: The rent contract will be maintained for up to 180 days if the tenant is temporarily out of the unit (e.g. confined to a nursing home, hospital, inpatient treatment or incarcerated).

Because H4S is a time-limited program with a maximum participation period of three (3) years, accommodations beyond 180 days will be at the discretion of the program. Extensions will be considered only in rare circumstances and must account for how the extended absence will impact the household’s ability to meet program goals within the remaining time.

Unit transfers: Tenant-based unit transfers are allowed after 12 months of assistance (or sooner if the lease is for less than 12 months or the landlord is willing to terminate the lease early). Transfers will also be approved if one of the household’s program goals is to move into a more affordable unit that:

Meets their voucher bedroom size, and
Has a lower rent than the current unit, thereby better aligning with their long-term housing stability goals.

Exceptions will be made for reasons of reasonable accommodation, reasons related to domestic violence, reasons related to discrimination or harassment in housing, changes in household composition, or other reasons as approved by the H4S Administrator. H4S program payments will be made through the end of the last month of tenancy to allow for overlap with the new tenancy if needed. Transfer lease-up timelines are the same as for initial lease-up.

SAVINGS

Savings Eligibility Based on Earned Income: A key feature of the H4S program is the savings component, which allows households to accumulate funds based on increases in their earned income during program participation. For the purposes of H4S, earned income includes wages, salaries, tips, commissions, and income from self-employment, as well as any other compensation received for personal services. Only increases in earned income will be used to calculate savings contributions. Increases in unearned income, such as public benefits, child support, gifts, or investment income, do not qualify for the savings calculation.

Savings deposits are calculated by comparing the household’s current earned income to the earned income at the time of enrollment or the last interim reexamination. Any resulting increase in the tenant rent portion due to earned income will be matched by a savings deposit into the household’s H4S savings account. All savings eligibility determinations will be documented in the household’s case file and verified in accordance with program income verification procedures.

Interim Withdrawals of Savings Funds

H4S participants may request an interim withdrawal from their H4S savings account before program completion in order to address an urgent and verifiable need that supports housing stability, goal achievement, or progress toward self-sufficiency. Interim withdrawals will only be approved if the requested funds are necessary to prevent a loss of housing, maintain employment, address a health or safety concern, or remove a significant barrier to achieving the goals outlined in the participant’s IGP. All requests must be made in writing and include supporting documentation.

Approval of interim withdrawals is at the discretion of HACC, in consultation with the participant’s case manager. The approved amount will be limited to the documented need and may not exceed the current savings account balance. Withdrawals will be disbursed directly to the participant, who will work with their case manager to ensure the funds are used for the purpose stated in the written request. All withdrawals will be documented in the participant’s case file, including the reason for the request, the approval or denial decision, and the disbursement method. HACC is not responsible if the participant chooses to use the funds for purposes other than those stated in the request; such actions will be considered a violation of the participant’s program goals.

Interim withdrawals are intended as an exception and will not be routinely approved. Participants should be informed that accessing savings early may reduce the amount available at program completion and could impact their long-term financial goals.

Graduation and Eligibility for Disbursement of Savings

Graduation from the H4S program occurs when a household successfully completes their participation period, achieves the goals outlined in their IGP, or is able to sustain housing without H4S rental assistance. Upon graduation, the household will receive the full balance of their H4S savings account, provided they have remained engaged in case management and in compliance with program rules throughout their participation. Savings accumulated in the H4S program will be disbursed to the designated Head of H4S Household, as documented in program records, within 30 days of program completion or approved early withdrawal in accordance with H4S policies.

If the Head of Household changes during the program, for example, due to domestic violence, separation, or other changes in household composition, the remaining household members will retain both the voucher and the right to the H4S savings, provided they continue program participation and engagement with case management. If the Head of Household leaves the program voluntarily or is terminated and other adult household members remain eligible for H4S participation, the savings account will transfer to the new designated Head of Household. In cases of dispute, the final determination will be made by HACC, based on program records, household agreements, and applicable policies or funding requirements.

If a household graduates early by meeting all program goals before the three-year limit, they will remain eligible for full disbursement of their accumulated savings. Households that leave the program voluntarily before graduation, or are terminated for non-compliance, will have their savings disbursed or forfeited according to the H4S savings disposition and forfeiture policies.

Forfeiture of Savings

Failure to Claim Funds: If a participant exits the H4S program without claiming their savings or fails to pick up their disbursement check within 90 days of notification, the savings will be considered forfeited. HACC will make at least three documented attempts to contact the participant using their last known contact information, including at least one written notice by mail. HACC will also engage the participant’s case manager to attempt communication. If the participant cannot be reached or does not respond within the 90-day period, the funds will be returned to the H4S program account to be used in accordance with program requirements. Forfeited funds will not be reinstated if the participant later requests them after the deadline. All forfeiture determinations will be documented in the participant’s case file, including proof of outreach attempts and the date the funds were reabsorbed into the program.
Egregious Behavior: If a participant’s assistance is discontinued due to egregious behavior, including, but not limited to, serious acts of violence, threats, significant intentional property damage, or racist and/or abusive conduct toward staff, service providers, program partners, or other participants, they may forfeit all funds in their H4S savings account. The H4S Administrator, in consultation with program leadership, will determine forfeiture based on the severity of the violation, program records, and applicable funding requirements.

All forfeiture decisions will be documented in the participant’s case file, including the reason for forfeiture, supporting evidence, and proof of outreach when applicable.

Discontinuation of Rent Assistance

Supporting housing stability: The H4S program is guided by Housing First principles. Every effort is made to avoid a loss of rental assistance or return to homelessness. HACC and service providers are expected to work together to preserve participant access to the program and prevent the discontinuation of rent assistance.

Program partners work together to preserve participant access to the program by (a) providing all participants with written copies of program rules at move-in, (b) ensuring participants are connected with appropriate supportive services to support housing stability, (c) notifying participants in writing when their rent assistance is at risk of being discontinued and working with them to resolve the issues, and (d) providing access to reasonable accommodations and supportive services, and using case conferencing as needed to prevent program discontinuation, (e) engaging participants in meaningful goal setting through the H4S IGP, ensuring that goals are realistic and aligned with the household’s path to long-term housing stability, (f) requiring active participation in case management and regular check-ins to review goal progress and update the IGP as needed.

Factors that put a participant at risk of losing rent assistance: An H4S participant may only be discontinued from the program due to serious violations of program rules, non-engagement, or conditions of occupancy. All extenuating circumstances are considered to ensure that a participant’s rent assistance is discontinued only in the most severe cases.

Some examples of potential grounds for discontinuation of assistance include:

Participant does not meet the eligibility guidelines for H4S assistance.
The participant fails to set self-sufficiency goals, make measurable progress, or engage meaningfully with case management and supportive services.
At the end of the three years program duration, rent assistance will end, and the household will transition off the subsidy unless otherwise approved under an H4S policy exception.
Serious or repeated lease violations that threaten the safety and stability of the community such as significant intentional damage to the unit/premises or serious acts of violence against another person.
Serious or repeated violations of program rules that jeopardize the continued administration of the voucher.
Serious or repeated violent, racist or abusive behavior toward staff of H4S Administrator, service provider, or other program partners.

Failure to engage in case management or to make progress on agreed-upon goals may ultimately result in the discontinuation of H4S rental assistance. Before any termination, the program will document all efforts to re-engage the participant, including written notices, supportive services, and case conferencing when appropriate.

Appeals process: Participants will be provided with a formal appeals process that at a minimum must consist of (a) written notice to the participant containing a clear statement of the reasons for discontinuation of rent assistance and/or forfeiture of H4S savings, (b) a review of the decision, in which the participant is given the opportunity to present written or oral objections before a person other than the person (or a subordinate of that person) who made or approved the decision to discontinue rent assistance or determine savings forfeiture, and (c) prompt written notice of the final decision to the participant, including the outcome of both the rent assistance determination and, if applicable, the savings forfeiture determination.

Reinstatement: Discontinuation of rent assistance does not bar the participant from receiving further assistance at a later date.

Savings Account at Termination:

If a household is terminated from the H4S program before completing the three-year participation period, the disposition of their H4S savings account will be determined based on their level of engagement and progress toward program goals. Participants who have actively engaged in case management, made consistent efforts toward their agreed-upon goals, and accumulated savings through increased rent contributions will be eligible to receive the full balance of their H4S savings account upon termination. This includes situations where termination occurs due to reasons beyond the participant’s control, such as changes in household circumstances, relocation, or program capacity limits.

Participants who have not engaged in case management, have failed to work toward their goals, or have been terminated for program violations or non-compliance may forfeit some or all of their savings, in accordance with H4S policy and applicable funding requirements. All determinations will be documented in the participant’s case file, including the reason for termination, evidence of engagement and goal progress, and the final savings account disposition.

Waiver or Exception for Households Unable to Transition Off Rent Assistance: The H4S program is designed to help households achieve financial stability and transition off rent assistance. However, unforeseen barriers or significant life changes may prevent some households from meeting their program goals by the time their assistance ends.

This policy establishes criteria for granting a waiver or exception for the purpose of transitioning the household back to RLRA. Households that qualify for this exception will be evaluated for eligibility and space availability within the RLRA program.

Eligibility Criteria for Waiver/Exception

A household may be considered for a waiver or exception if discontinuing rent assistance would result in imminent homelessness , sufficient RLRA funds are available to continue support, and at least one of the following apply:

The household has become Population A (i.e., has a qualifying permanent disability or other permanent barrier to employment and self-sufficiency).
The household is facing significant life changes or barriers that impact their ability to achieve program goals and develop sufficient income (examples include serious illness, domestic violence, loss of a primary caregiver, or other documented crises).
The household has remained engaged with case management, demonstrated consistent effort toward goals in their IGP, and can show progress, even if full self-sufficiency has not yet been reached.

The assigned case manager or the client will submit a written waiver or exception request with supporting documentation to the H4S administrator, who will review the request in consultation with the SHS Housing Services Manager to confirm eligibility and available program capacity in the RLRA program. The request will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis. If approved, the RLRA Administrator will start the process to transition the household back to the RLRA program.

Tenant-based H4S Landlord Guarantee

Risk mitigation fund

All landlords leasing to tenant-based H4S voucher holders will have access to a risk mitigation fund administered by each County or a third-party regional entity.

The three counties, in alignment, will set policies and oversee implementation of the risk mitigation fund.
Landlords will be able to access the fund for the life of the tenancy as long as the H4S voucher is in use.
Eligible costs and coverage limits will be defined in the H4S Risk Mitigation Program policies and may be modified over time through updates to the H4S Risk Mitigation Program policies.

H4S Policies Update History

#	Effective dates
1	8/1/2025