Hardship Policy for EASY Rent Participants
Households on the Easy Rent program notified of a rent increase will be informed, in writing, of their ability to seek a waiver based on financial hardship through the Housing Authority’s established Hardship Policy. The policy is designed to allow KCHA flexibility to address unique, unforeseeable circumstances that may occur and to protect families in crisis. In order to receive a hardship rent, the household must apply for all benefits for which it may be eligible. Zero income households will be required to report income changes on a quarterly basis, until income is restored to the household.
a. Hardship Criteria. The following categories for Hardship will apply to all program participants under KCHA’s EASY Rent program:
i. Extraordinary Cost of Living: A household may apply for a hardship review when they experience an extraordinary cost of living that exceeds 50% of the household’s monthly income. Examples of when a family might meet this criterion include:
- Any household whose combined gross rent plus monthly out-of-pocket medical expenses exceeds 50% of household monthly income. Gross Rent is defined as actual monthly rent paid plus the assigned energy assistance supplement, or, minimum rent (if applicable). Only unreimbursed medical expenses incurred for the care of an elderly and/or disabled household member will be considered in determining extraordinary costs.
ii. Waiver of Minimum Rent / Extension of Energy Assistance Reimbursement beyond six (6) months: A household may apply for an extension of its energy assistance reimbursement (credit rent) beyond the initial six month cap. To be eligible for hardship relief, the household would need to demonstrate that: (1) the loss of additional energy assistance would put the household at risk of losing their housing; (2) their continued lack of income has not been through the fault of the household, and (3) the household has applied for, but been unsuccessful in connecting to available financial resources for which they might be eligible.
iii. Deduction for Medical Expenses above the $10,000 Cap: A household eligible to receive a reduction from gross income for medical expenses may request a hardship review to request a reduction of gross income above the $10,000 cap. In order to be eligible for relief under this criterion, the family must document that (1) the claimed expense is not reimbursable from an outside source; and (2) annualized costs for rent and out-of-pocket medical expenses would exceed 50% of gross income.
iv. Possible Remedies Available under the Hardship Policy: The Hardship Committee has a number of determinations that can be made under the policy including:
- No hardship exists;
- Rent should be set at a permanent, family specific cap;
- The energy assistance reimbursement (credit rent) should be extended for a specific period of time;
- The rent increase should be phased in over a specific period of time;
- The $100 per month rent increase cap should be extended for up to one year – resulting in a two year maximum (Available only to families in occupancy when the EASY Rent program was implemented);
- The $100 per month rent increase cap should be phased out over a specific period of time – not to exceed three years for Easy Rent households (Available only to families in occupancy when the EASY Rent program was implemented);
- Approval of a Medical Expense reduction from gross income in an amount above the $10,000 maximum. Relief may be granted for a specific period of time, or indefinitely, as determined by the Committee. However, no relief will be granted without documentation of extraordinary circumstances beyond the control of the household.
- Appropriate combination of above listed options.
b. Applying for Consideration: To be considered for relief under the hardship policy, you must fill out a form that is available at the Section 8 office or your closest property management office. Please submit the form to your case manager or property manager.
c. Appeals: Families, who disagree with the recommendation of the Hardship Committee and/or final approval of the Director of Housing Management or Director of Resident Services, as applicable, may appeal the determination through the Housing Authority’s existing Informal Review process.