About:
The Homeless Prevention Program was created by Washoe Affordable Housing Corporation in June 2017. WAHC self-funds the program through program income from other organizational activities, and receives matching funds from the Nevada Housing Division’s (NHD) Low-Income Housing Trust Fund.
The objective of WAHC’s Homeless Prevention Program is to prevent homelessness arising from emergencies that temporarily jeopardize a family or individual’s ability to pay rent or utilities and to provide relocation assistance to individuals or families whose rent has become unaffordable. The jurisdiction for this program is Washoe County. The Homeless Prevention Program allocates resources to preventing homelessness so that families do not have to experience shelters or live on the streets. It also helps minimize public resources dedicated to the homeless population within Washoe County.
Washoe Affordable is no longer accepting applications. Applications will be accepted for Homeless Prevention Program July 1, 2023.
Washoe Affordable accepts applications every month until 8 applications have been received or the 10th of the month. At that point Washoe Affordable will not accept applications until the following month.
The application must be completely filled out and ALL supporting documentation must be provided. Supporting documentation is detailed in the application form. The application can be downloaded below.
Application (Updated 2-20-18)
Homeless Prevention Program Frequently Asked Questions
General Criteria for All HPP Assistance
- Residency of Washoe County:
Proof includes driver license, ID, lease agreement, utility bill, etc. - Below 60% of Area Median Income:
Proof of income includes check stubs, award letter, etc. along with an income questionnaire. - Assets less than three months of rent:
Proof of assets includes bank statements. - No Recent Lease Violations
- US Citizen or Eligible Non-Citizen
- Proof of residency in state of Nevada for the last 2 years.
Two Types of Assistance
(1) Emergency Assistance:
Eligible households facing an emergency situation that are threatened with eviction for non-payment of rent or due to a utility shut-offs may receive one-time assistance to pay the unpaid rent or utility bills to resolve the eviction or utility shut-off situation.
An emergency event is defined as a medical event, job loss, death in the family, accident, or other emergency that has affected a household member within the last 90 days, and whose associated costs exceed one month of rent at the household’s current unit. The applicant must be able to provide an eviction notice or utility notice demonstrating the amount of rent or utilities that is due and the due date.
Only one type can be accessed, and Washoe Affordable can only assist one time for a total amount of two months of past due rent or past due utilities.
(2) Relocation Assistance:
The applicant must be able to demonstrate the rent in their current dwelling unit has increased by at least 10% compared to the rent 12 months prior to the increase. The notification of the increase must be dated within 180 days of the date of the applicant’s application and must include the new rent level and the effective date of the increase.
Eligible households may receive assistance comprised of the security deposit payment for a new dwelling unit, plus a flat payment for moving expenses based on family size, as determined by the chart below, in order to help the applicant move into an affordable housing situation.
The applicant must also provide a copy of their current lease agreement or other appropriate documentation that shows the rent level prior to the increase.