The Housing Stabilization Collaborative (HSC) exists to support community members in accessing and affording sustainable housing through our rental and utility assistance program, landlord engagement best practices, monthly rental availability list, and partnership with local social service agencies. As a collaborative, we work towards reducing and eliminating housing barriers for renters as well as working with local landlords to provide safe and affordable housing.
Rent & Utility Assistance Program Guidelines:
- As of March 21st, 2023 the annual cap on assistance per household will be $1500 + $100 for each dependent for past due rent/utility assistance through December 2023
- For households who have already received the full 3 months of assistance in 2022 calendar year, HSC can do $600 cap + $100 for each dependent from October 2022 - December 2022.
- For household who have not received three months of assistance for calendar year 2022, HSC can do $1500 + $100 for each dependent starting October 2022 - December 2023
- In the case that a household needs assistance moving into a new rental, their cap will be increased to $2,205 + $100 per dependent.
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How do I know if I have hit my cap?
- Applicants should communicate about their cap with the person processing their application. If applicants don’t have an active application in process, they can contact the partner agency they are most comfortable with or reach out directly to Douglas County Human Services office via email to hsc@douglascountyks.org.
Eligibility Criteria:
- To be eligible for funding through the Rent/Utility Assistance Program, a household must have annual adjusted gross income lower than or equal to the %50 Area Median Income (AMI). This limit may be found here.
- Applicant must reside in a rental unit located in Douglas County
- Applicant must submit and sign an online application
HSC Lottery (Randomized) System
The HSC Rent and Utility Assistance application is shifting from first-come, first-serve monthly application to a randomized or “lottery” system. If you are random selected to receive funding, a notification will be sent via email from hsc@douglascountyks.org. If an applicant does not have a valid email address, effort will be made to contact them via phone. Funding process will proceed as normal for those applications that are funded.
- Application will open for a set time period each month.
- Tenants residing in Douglas County in need of assistance with rent or utility bills will submit applications during this open period.
- Applications will be randomly selected to receive funding.
- Applicants will be notified that their application was received and whether it was selected for funding.
This lottery will be monthly and the pool of applications will reset each month. Dates of application period and lottery drawings will be posted on the front page of this site (hscdgco.org). Applicants that are not selected or need additional assistance will need to reapply during the next open period.
Reach out to Gabi Sprague, Program Manager, at gsprague@douglascountyks.org or Jasmine Bates, Housing Assistant, at jbates@douglascountyks.org with questions.
Rental & Utility Assistance Application Link: https://hscdgco.org/
