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Homeless Programs - Single Room Occupancy ProgramThe Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Program provides Section 8 rental assistance for moderate rehabilitation of buildings with SRO units-single-room dwellings, designed for the use of an individual, that often do not contain food preparation or sanitary facilities. A public housing authority makes Section 8 rental assistance payments to the landlords for the homeless people who rent the rehabilitated units. SRO units are less expensive to rent than regular apartments, so they often serve as the only affordable housing option for many low-income individuals and homeless persons. Such units are in short supply, however, since they yield negligible profits for building owners. Annual contracts with eligible providers for 10 years. No single city or urban county can receive more than 10 percent of SRO funds awarded in a given year. Eligible Grantees Public housing agencies and private nonprofit organizations may apply. Nonprofit organizations must subcontract with public housing agencies to administer the rental assistance. Eligible Participants The program gives priority to homeless individuals. It also provides rental assistance to people currently residing in SRO units eligible for Section 8 assistance. Eligible Activities Housing providers may only use the funds for rehabilitation of housing into SRO units that will be coupled with rental assistance. One quarter of the units proposed for assistance must be vacant at the time of the application so that a significant portion of those served are homeless. To qualify, a unit must need between $3,000 and $16,000 in rehabilitation, which may be amortized by the rental assistance. The initial lease between a homeless person and the owner must be at least a year. Statutory and Regulatory Cites The SRO program is authorized under Section 441 of the McKinney Act (42 U.S.C. 11401 et seq.) and Sections 8(e) (2) and 8(n) of the U.S. Housing Act of 1937 (42 U.S.C. 1437f). |
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