The Department of Family Protective Services (DFPS) determines whether a family or youth meets the Family Unification Program (FUP) eligibility requirements. DFPS certifies eligibility and refers the family or youth to the HASA for participation.
Referred families and youth must complete the online HCV application to be added to the HCV waiting list. Once a referral is received, HASA places the applicant on the FUPF/Y waiting list. When a FUP voucher becomes available, the HASA will determine whether the applicant meets HCV program requirements, including income limits and criminal background eligibility.
Because the number of FUP vouchers is limited, availability cannot be guaranteed at all times.
Family Unification Program - Families (FUPF)
FUPF vouchers assist families where the lack of adequate housing is primary factor in:
- The separation, or threat of separation, of children from their families, or
- The delay in reunifying children with their families.
Families must be referred by DFPS in San Angelo, TX and must meet all HCV program eligibility requirements.
Referral and Eligibility Requirements:
- The DFPS caseworker must complete the FUPF referral form and provide a referral letter on DFPS letterhead.
- This form must be completed jointly with the family.
- Incomplete referrals or those lacking signatures will not be accepted.
- The family must have an open CPS case with plans for Conservatorship or for Family-Based Safety Services (FBSS).
- Children must be placed back in the home on a monitored return or similar basis by the time the voucher is issued.
- If the children are not yet reunified, the referral will be removed.
Program Details:
- Once assisted under FUPF, there is no time limit on rental assistance, provided the family continues to meet HCV eligibility.
- If CPS removes the children after assistance begins:
- HASA will proecss an interim adjustment to remove the children from the household. The subsidy will then be adjusted with the effective date of the next annual recertification.
- If reunification does not occur within 360 days of removal, the family may be transitioned to a standard HCV voucher (if available).
Family Unification Program - Youth (FUPY)
FUPY vouchers are designed for youth who have aged out of foster care or will transition out within 180 days.
Program Summary:
- Eligible youth may receive FUPY rental assistance for up to 36 months.
- DFPS and the Aftercare worker most jointly complete the FUPY referral form, and the applicant must sign it.
Eligibility Criteria:
Youth must:
- Be at least 18 years old but not more than 24 years old, and
- Have left foster care at age 16 or older, or be leaving foster care within 180 days in accordance with a transition plan under Section 475(5)(H) of the Social Security Act, and
- Be homeless or at risk of homelessness, as defined in 24 CFR 576.2.
Homeless or At-Risk of Homelessness Definitions include:
- Annual income below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
- Lack of sufficient resources or support networks (family, friends, or community organizations) to prevent homelessness.
- Any of the following situations:
- Multiple moves due to economic hardship within the past 60 days.
- Living temporarily with others because of economic need.
- Written notice of eviction or loss of housing within 21 days.
- Staying in a hotel/motel not paid by charitable or government programs.
- Lives in a single room occupancy or efficiency apartment unit in which there resides more than two persons, or lives in a larger housing unit in which there resides more than 1.5 persons per room.
- Exiting an institution or system of care.
- Living in housing conditions associated with instability and increased risk of homelessness.
- Youth may also qualify if they meet the definition of "homeless" under federal acts such as the Runaway and Homeless Act, Head Start Act, the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA), Public Health Service Act, Food and Nutrition Act, Child Nutrition Act; or the McKinney-Vento Homeless Assistance Act. (24 CFR 576.2)
Supportive Services for FUPY Participants
In addition to rental assistance, FUP youth must receive supportive services for 36 months of program participation.
These services, provided by DFPS or another approved social service agency, may include:
- Money management and budgeting skills
- Job readiness and employment support
- Educational counseling
- Nutrition and meal preparation
While supportive services are not required for FUP families, DFPS may choose to offer them when appropriate.