Letter of Referral for Low Income Housing Tax Credit Targeted Unit
1. Referral of _______________________________ (“Applicant”) to _____________________________ Applicant Name(s) Development Name 2. To be completed by Referral Agency Please certify (by initialing) that each of the following is accurate: _____ a. The applicant is qualified for consideration under the Targeting Plan Agreement. _____ b. The applicant‟s household is not comprised solely of full time students. _____ c. I have verified the application(s) status at _______________________________________:
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Administering Agency
_____ applicant is on the waiting list for Housing Choice Voucher Assistance. _____ applicant is not on the waiting list because 1) the applicant is not eligible or 2) the waiting list is closed, but we will assist him/her in making application when it reopens, if he/she is eligible. _____ d. The applicant is eligible for Key Program assistance (for properties funded 2004 forward; requires income based upon disability - $300/month minimum but less than 30% of area median income) 3. To be completed by Applicant Applicant Authorization I authorize the ____________________________________ (Name of Local Lead Agency) to communicate with property management for the purposes of (1) verifying that I meet the eligibility requirements for this housing, (2) processing my application for housing, and (3) matters related only to my tenancy (including any reasonable accommodations). I understand that this authorization may be withdrawn by me at any time by notifying the agency that assisted me with this letter of referral, and that such a decision will not affect my tenancy. __________________________________________________ Tenant/Applicant __________________________________________________ Tenant/Applicant _________________________ Date _________________________ Date
4. To be completed by Local Lead Agency We will coordinate with the original referral source to 1) assist the applicant(s) during the application process, including requesting and negotiating Reasonable Accommodations, if necessary, and 2) make supportive services available to the applicant(s) and/or act as referral agent for other community services as needed. ____________________________________________________ Signature ____________________________________________________ Name __________________ Date __________________ Title
____________________________________________________ Local Lead Agency (primary organization responsible for coordinating referrals to targeted units) _____________________________________ Telephone
_____________________________________ Email
A unit targeted to a household referred by a Local Lead Agency under the Targeting Plan approved by DHHS. Page 1 of 2 Last modified 10/9/06
How to Complete Letter of Referral for Low Income Housing Tax Credit Targeted Unit 1. Name of head(s) of household and development to which household is being referred. 2. To be completed by Referral Agency a. The standard for eligibility based upon disability references NC General Statutes § 168A-3 (7a) that defines a “person with disability” as any person who has a physical or mental impairment which substantially limits one or more major life activities such as caring for one's self, performing manual tasks, walking, seeing, hearing, speaking, breathing, learning, and working. It excludes sexual preferences, active alcoholism or drug addiction or abuse; and any disorder, condition or disfigurement which is temporary in nature leaving no residual impairment. The referral agency has determined that the applicant is qualified for consideration under the Targeting Plan Agreement for the particular development to which the household is being referred. Only households headed by persons with disabilities and receiving income based upon that disability are qualified for Key Program assistance though these households may also be homeless. b. Under IRS rules households in LIHTC units may not be comprised solely of full time students, unless: 1. All members of the household are married and have filed a joint tax return. 2. The household consists of a single parent and minor child and both parent and child are not dependents of a third party. 3. At least one member of the household receives assistance under Title IV of the Social Security Act (TANF). In NC, for LIHTC purposes, TANF is considered equivalent to AFDC. 4. At least one member of the household is enrolled in a job training program receiving assistance under the Job Training Partnership Act (JTPA), or similar federal, state or local programs. In NC, for LIHTC purposes, the Workforce Investment Act of 1998 is considered equivalent to JTPA. Children ages 5 to 18, and in grades K thru 12 are assumed to be full-time students unless documented otherwise. Full-time student status is defined by the school which the student attends. c. Key Program Assistance is NOT permanent, therefore households referred to targeted units should apply for a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) at the local administrating agency. If the waiting list is closed, the referral agency should assist the household in applying as soon as the list reopens. Vouchers have many advantages over Key Assistance: they are permanent, as long as the household remains eligible and follows program regulations; they are portable, and can be used in the current unit or elsewhere if the tenant wants to move; the tenant is likely to pay less of their income toward their housing—under the HVC Program deductions are taken from the household income before calculating rental share; and, transitioning to a Voucher will „free up‟ the Key Assistance for another household that does not yet have a voucher. d. Key Program Assistance (operating subsidy used for rental assistance) is limited to individuals who receive income (SSI, SSDI, VA, etc.) based upon their disability, and whose total household income does not exceed 30% of the area median income. A minimum gross income of $300 a month is required, at least part of which must be from the aforementioned source of income based on disability. Currently, the Key Program is only available at developments that were awarded LIHTCs in 2004, 2005 and 2006. 3. To be completed by Applicant Since property management cannot ask about the presence of a disability, the applicant authorization allows the Local Lead Agency to establish eligibility for the Targeted unit and authorizes the Local Lead Agency representative to talk to the Property Manager only when necessary to assist with matters relating to a referred household‟s application and tenancy. 4. To be completed by Local Lead Agency The Local Lead Agency signs off, verifying that it will assist the applicant(s) during the application process, including requesting and negotiating Reasonable Accommodations, if necessary, and make supportive services available to the applicant(s) either directly, or as a referral agent for other community services on an as-needed basis. The signer will be the first point of contact for the management company should questions about the referral‟s application or tenancy arise.
Page 2 of 2 Last modified 10/9/06