PLEASE READ THE FOLLOWING PROGRAM GUIDELINES WITH THE CLIENT PRIOR TO COMPLETING REQUEST
Our Emergency Housing Program provides up to two weeks of temporary housing assistance to individuals living with HIV/AIDS or at risk of HIV/AIDS who are experiencing homelessness as defined by HUD. This program aims to offer a safe and stable environment while participants work towards long-term housing solutions or wait for placement in our transitional housing program, Champaign House.
ADMISSION CRITERIA
To qualify for this program, individuals must meet the following criteria:
- Be living with HIV/AIDS or at high risk of contracting HIV/AIDS.
- Be able to provide documentation of HIV/AIDS status, if available.
- Be at least 18 years old or a legally emancipated minor.
- Be under the care of a physician or be in the process of establishing care.
- Adhere to prescribed medication regimens and attend medical appointments, or work with the case manager to establish care.
- Be physically able to perform daily living activities or have arrangements in place.
- Be willing to participate in case management services provided by GCAP.
- Agree to follow program rules and regulations.
- Be in need of emergency housing as determined by GCAP staff, according to the following homelessness categories (1-4):
- Literally Homeless:
- Has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not meant for human habitation; or
- Is living in a publicly or privately operated shelter designated to provide temporary living arrangements (including congregate shelters, transitional housing, and hotels and motels paid for by charitable organizations or by federal, state and local government programs); or
- Is exiting an institution where (s)he has resided for 90 days or less and who resided in an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately before entering that institution
- Imminent Risk of Homelessness
- An individual or family who will imminently lose their primary nighttime residence, provided that:
- Residence will be lost within 14 days of the date of application for homeless assistance (includes housing they own, rent, are sharing with others, or are living in without paying rent.) and
- No subsequent residence has been identified; and
- The individual or family lacks the resources or support networks needed to obtain other permanent housing.
- Homeless Under Other Federal Statutes
- Unaccompanied youth under 25 years of age, or families with children and youth, who do not otherwise qualify as homeless under this definition, but who:
- Are defined as homeless under the Runaway and Homeless Youth, the Head Start Act,the Violence Against Women Act, Public Health Service Act, Food and Nutrition Act, Child Nutrition Act, McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act,
- Have not had a lease, ownership interest in permanent housing during the 60 days prior to the homeless assistance application;
- Have experienced persistent instability as measured by two moves or more during in the preceding 60 days; and
- Can be expected to continue in such status for an extended period of time due to special needs or barriers
- Fleeing/Attempting to Flee Domestic Violence
- Any individual or family who:
- Is fleeing, or is attempting to flee, domestic violence, which includes dating violence, sexual assault, stalking, human trafficking and other dangerous or life-threatening conditions
- Has no other residence; and
- Lacks the resources or support networks to obtain other permanent housing
PROHIBITIONS OF ADMISSION
GCAP reserves the right to deny re-admission to its emergency housing program for individuals who have previously violated program rules. This decision is made at GCAP's discretion, meaning each case is reviewed individually based on the nature of past infractions.
PROGRAM BENEFITS
Participants will receive:
- Temporary Housing Voucher: Voucher assistance to cover the cost of a motel room for up to two weeks.
- Case Management Services: Regular check-ins, assistance with housing search, benefits enrollment, and other support services.
- Cultural Sensitivity: GCAP is committed to providing culturally competent services. Staff will be sensitive to the diverse needs of the client population.
- Respectful Treatment: All clients will be treated with dignity and respect.
- Non-Discrimination: GCAP does not discriminate on the basis of sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression.
PROGRAM RULES AND REGULATIONS:
Program Participants agree to:
- Sign an Authorization to Share Information for GCAP to communicate with the motel. Purpose of the document being to exchange name, identity, and identification card for motel stay reservation.
- Refrain from manufacturing, distributing, or partaking in illegal activities while in the motel room or on the motel property
- Refrain from destroying property, smoking, drug use, alcohol use, hosting overnight guests, engaging in sex work, or harming others or themselves while in the motel room or on the motel property
- Use the motel room solely for sleeping and personal hygiene.
- Maintain the room in a clean and orderly condition.
- Adhere to motel policies and procedures.
- Contact support services if they feel they are a danger to themselves or others.
- Contact 9-1-1 in the case of emergency
- Attend scheduled case management appointments.
- Actively participate in the case management process.
- Adhere to prescribed medication regimens and attend medical appointments
- Understand that GCAP staff are mandated reporters
VOLUNTARY PARTICIPATION:
Program participants understand that participation in this program is entirely voluntary. They may withdraw from the program at any time
CONFIDENTIALITY:
Program participants understand that all client information will be kept confidential in accordance with HIPAA regulations.
FAIR HOUSING
GCAP operates under the principles of Equal Housing Opportunity and is committed to upholding all policies set forth by the Fair Housing Authority. We fully comply with all applicable federal civil rights laws, including, but not limited to, the Fair Housing Act and Section 1557 of the Affordable Care Act (Section 1557). GCAP ensures that no person shall be subjected to discrimination on the basis of race, color, national origin (including limited English proficiency and primary language), religion, sex (which encompasses sex characteristics, including intersex traits; pregnancy or related conditions; sexual orientation; gender identity; and sex stereotypes), age, disability, or familial status.
EMERGENCY SITUATIONS
Program participants agree to:
- Contact 9-1-1 in the case of an emergency.
- In the event the participant needs an officer dispatched in Champaign County, but the situation is not an emergency, to call 217-333-8911.
- In the event the program participant is experiencing non-emergent suicidal thoughts or a non-emergent mental health crisis, they will call the Champaign County Crisis Line at 217-359-4141
- In the event of non-emergencies that do not require police or crisis worker involvement, clients should contact their case manager or GCAP's main office.
PROGRAM TERMINATION
Program Participants understand that:
- Failure to comply with program rules and regulations may result in program termination.
- They may be terminated from the program for engaging in illegal or disruptive behavior.
- Failure to comply with program rules may jeopardize future participation in GCAP programs, including the Transitional Housing Program, Champaign House.
- Damage to property that results in fines or fees to GCAP may jeapordize future ability to receive emergency financial assistance
PROGRAM APPLICATION PROCESS
A GCAP staff member will review the request for emergency housing and determine eligibility. Prior to proceeding with the assistance, GCAP staff may deny assistance to a potential client if, after assessment, the client presents a risk to self or others, client does not meet admission criteria, and/or client requires accommodation that would create undue hardship on GCAP.
Note: This program is subject to availability of funds and resources.