ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS
VILLAGE OF HOPE residents will be selected in accordance with
the following eligibility criteria:
- The family unit must be homeless as defined by MHFA guidelines.
- The primary applicant must be at least 18 years old and either
pregnant or have primary guardianship/custody of one or more
dependent children ages 17 or younger.
- All qualified households whose income at the time of initial
occupancy does not exceed 50% or greater of the statewide or
area median household income as determined by HUD and adjusted
for families of five or more.
- Extended family members residing with the family prior to application
for shelter at Village of Hope will be included in the definition
of the “family unit”.
- The applicant must not be currently abusing alcohol or drugs.
- The applicant must be stable on psychiatric medications and
prescribed medications for medical conditions and be willing
to take them as prescribed.
- The applicant’s criminal history will be reviewed on an individual
basis. Certain offenses may result in denial of admission. These
may include sexual offenses requiring the tenant to register
with local officials, violent crimes against persons or property,
assault, arson or destruction of property.
- The applicant must not pose a risk of serious harm to self
or others.
- The applicant must express a definite and informed desire to
enter the emergency shelter program, including actively participating
in a housing search and case management program.
- The applicant must be willing to accept group living including:
- A
tolerance and respect for other shelter residents and staff,
- A willingness to adhere to shelter rules,
- A willingness to fully participate in maintaining the shelter
and sharing cleaning and maintenance duties.
- If applicant is eligible for Group Residential Housing (GRH),
the applicant must be willing to assist VILLAGE OF HOPE in verifying
the requirements including documentation of:
- Disability and/or chemical dependency,
- Income and/or asset verification confirming applicant fits
the requirements of the program.
Intake Procedures
Clients or referents call the central intake number (218-751-0722).
General questions are answered regarding eligibility, homelessness,
and anticipated openings. Referents that are not able to
be accommodated immediately are placed on an optional waiting list
while every attempt is made to assist the referent in identifying
an alternative shelter plan.
Upon vacancy of a family unit the waiting list is reviewed and
families with the highest level of need are invited to participate
in the application process. This process includes the opportunity
to:
- View the facility.
- Review the terms of the agreement to participate in a housing
search and case management.
- Review the resident rules.
- Sign releases of information to verify homelessness.
- Sign releases of information to verify income.
Homelessness is determined by utilizing a checklist for eligibility
(see attached) and receiving the verification by a third party
in writing, on the Minnesota Housing ”Housing Status Verification/Referral
Form” (see attached) whenever possible. In cases where no
written independent verification is possible from a shelter, a
case manager or other 3rd party, clients must complete and sign
the Minnesota Housing “Housing Status Self-Certification Form”
(see attached).
Once homelessness is verified, in writing, on the forms provided
by Village of Hope, and exclusionary criteria are determined not
applicable, applicants are forwarded to the Executive Director
for review.
If an applicant is approved, they are accepted and will be allowed
to move into Village of Hope. Once a room is available, the
homeless advocates will coordinate a move-in date and time with
the applicant.
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