PREVENTION, RETENTION AND CONTINGENCY (PRC) - RENT | CUYAHOGA COUNTY JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES

Provides aid to families in the form of a voucher to pay for rent and/or security deposit where the situation is an emergency and non-recurring (a situation not extending beyond 4 months) and which cannot be addressed using existing community resources. MAY BE USED FOR: 1. Establishing new household: Security deposit and/or one month rent ($750 maximum - once per calendar year). 2. Past due rent and staying in the same apartment: up to two months rent ($750 maximum - once per calendar year). In addition, applicant cannot exceed $1,500 in aid from the overall PRC program ($750 if non-custodial guardian). Does not assist with rental application fees.

Data provided by

211 Cleveland

Physical Address

1641 Payne Ave., Cleveland, OH 44114

Hours

M-F: 9:00am-4:00pm.

Fax

(216) 987-7700

Fax | For faxing documents

Voice

(216) 987-7000

Main | Agency Main Switchboard

Voice

(216) 987-6978

Main | Virgil Brown NFSC Information Line

Fax

(216) 987-8487

Application process

Applications may be picked up and dropped off (in drop-box) at Neighborhood Family Service Centers M-F: 9:00am-4:00pm. Applications are available on website and can then be emailed or faxed to the agency. May also call the PRC Hotline to request an application by mail, to check the status of an application, or with questions about the application process (applications can't be done over the phone, the hotline can only answer questions that the applicant may have about the application) M-F: 8:30am-4:30pm (if no answer, leave a voice mail and the call will be returned within one to two business days). Once all required verifications are received from the applicant, the PRC application should be approved or denied as quickly as possible, but no later than 10 calendar days (but in some cases, this may take up to 30 days). Notification shall be given in person or sent by mail within two (2) business days of the application decision. Once approved, client will pick up their voucher at the Virgil Brown Neighborhood Family Service Center. Client must sign their portion of the voucher and then give the voucher to the property owner to complete their portion. Once the voucher is signed by both parties it is then returned to Virgil E Brown Center with the property owner's W-9 form. Only the original voucher will be accepted.

Fee

Free

Eligibility

*Serves Cuyahoga County households with Income must be 200% of the Federal poverty level or less. *Must have at least one child under the age of 18 (or through age 18 if the child is still in high school) or be pregnant (in the third trimester). *In certain cases, will serve non-custodial fathers or mothers if they are enrolled with OWF (Ohio Works First), food stamps and/or Medicaid. These clients must be current with their Child Support Order). *Applicants must explore other community resources that may meet the current need (this can be accomplished by calling 2-1-1). *At least one member of the family must be a U.S. citizen or qualified alien. *The lease must be in the applicant's name. The applicant must demonstrate that they are able to pay their monthly rent on an ongoing basis. *Any liquid assets over $1000 must be used as co-pay towards meeting the need in question. * Assistance is limited to once per year. *In most cases, must have evidence of a court proceeding concerning client's occupancy of the rental unit (also called a "red tag" or "green tag"). This includes, but is not limited to: summons to appear in housing court; copy of court docket showing that the applicant is to appear; any relevant court document; court ordered eviction notice. Date of court proceeding must be within 30 days of the PRC application. THE FOLLOWING DO NOT NEED TO HAVE A COURT ORDERED EVICTION NOTICE: 1. Those who are 30 days or more delinquent on their rent. 2. Those moving into a rental unit from a homeless shelter or domestic violence shelter. 3. If the applicant is working with a domestic violence service provider (PRC will only be issued for the applicant who is fleeing the domestic violence situation and not the perpetrator of the domestic violence). 4. Those who are being rehoused as part of their case with Children and Family Services or The Department of Senior and Adult Services. 5. Those who must relocate due to lead poisoning. * Does not help in cases where the family needs to move due to bed bugs. * DOES NOT SERVE fugitive felons, and those who have been convicted of program fraud where repayment has not yet occurred. SANCTIONED PERSONS CAN STILL QUALIFY if applying for PRC within 30 days of the end of the sanction period.

Agency info

CUYAHOGA COUNTY JOB AND FAMILY SERVICES

Operates several Neighborhood Family Service Centers which provide cash benefits (such as Ohio Works First welfare benefits), food assistance (food stamps), medical coverage, employment/training assistance, child care vouchers, and supportive services to Cuyahoga County residents who meet eligibility requirements. Clients are assigned to a Service Center according to their zip code. Spanish-speaking staff are available.