<?xml version='1.0' encoding='utf-8'?>
<regulation prefix="Regulation" num=".07" citation="COMAR 07.01.19.07" title_num="07" subtitle_num="01" chapter_num="19" heading="Homelessness Prevention Program.">
  <paragraph num="A.">
    <text>Program Purpose. The Homelessness Prevention Program:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Assists family units in a housing crisis; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Provides services that may include but are not limited to:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Case management;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Counseling to identify households at risk of becoming homeless;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Training on budgeting and other life skills;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Education as to tenant rights and responsibilities;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Mediation between the landlord and tenant; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(f)">
        <text>Cash assistance.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="B.">
    <text>Eligibility for Services. A family unit is eligible for services if the family unit is:</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Living in permanent rental housing, and facing immediate eviction or at risk of being evicted;</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>Able to present verification of a pending eviction or risk of eviction; and</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(3)">
      <text>Determined by the provider to be able to continue to stay in the permanent housing or to move to other permanent housing through payment to or arrangement with the landlord.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="C.">
    <text>Use of Funds.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>Homelessness prevention funds may be used for the following activities:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Direct grants to family units to prevent evictions;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Eviction prevention counselors or landlord tenant mediators;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Early intervention services for at-risk households;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(d)">
        <text>Revolving loan funds or rent banks; and</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(e)">
        <text>Other activities as approved by the Department.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>If staff positions are funded, the only eligible costs are salary, FICA, and unemployment insurance. Additional costs for the position are funded through other sources.</text>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
  <paragraph num="D.">
    <text>Local Contribution.</text>
    <paragraph num="(1)">
      <text>The local jurisdiction shall provide a contribution to the Homelessness Prevention Program.</text>
    </paragraph>
    <paragraph num="(2)">
      <text>The local contribution shall consist of:</text>
      <paragraph num="(a)">
        <text>Administrative funds;</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(b)">
        <text>Cash or in-kind resources; or</text>
      </paragraph>
      <paragraph num="(c)">
        <text>Funds or resources that have been leveraged by the local jurisdiction.</text>
      </paragraph>
    </paragraph>
  </paragraph>
</regulation>