TRI-COUNTY ALLIANCE FOR THE HOMELESS
(443) 523-1810

A supportive permanent housing program serving the disabled and homeless residents of Somerset,  Wicomico, and Worcester Counties.

What is TCAH?	Applications & Forms	Link to all Behavioral Health Services
Who is eligible?	Authorization to Release Information
	Tri County Alliance for Homeless Application
	Tri County Verification of Disability

What is TCAH?
The Tri-County Alliance for the Homeless (TCAH) is a group of individuals from Somerset, Wicomico and Worcester counties that was formed around the common concern of homelessness.  Members include representatives from local housing programs, county Homeless Boards, area shelters, service organizations, state and county agencies, faith community, and local providers, business community, and local citizens.  In an attempt to increase affordable housing alternatives for the disabled and homeless population, TCAH applied to the office of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) in early 2002 to access funding to allow for the development of a supportive, permanent housing program in the tri-county region.

As a result, the TCAH Housing Program was born.  This HUD funded permanent supportive housing program is operated by the Somerset County Health Department for the tri-county region.  Services are provided to disabled homeless individuals and families through a case management system.  Case managers work directly with the homeless to identify the specific challenges they may be facing and refer them to supportive services.  Services may include security deposit, ongoing monthly rental assistance, limited start up funds, case management services, information and referral and service planning.

Policy on Eligibility Criteria

Purpose

The purpose of this policy is to ensure that all applicants meet a consistent and basic set of criteria to be initially considered for placement through the program.

Process

1. The individual or family must be homeless.  Homelessness is defined by HUD as persons who are sleeping in the following places:

• In place not meant for human habitation (e.g. cars, tunnels, parks, under bridges, streets, abandoned buildings or condemned buildings); or
• In emergency shelters; or
• Living in Transition housing. Transitional housing is defined as a temporary housing program (usually up to 2 years) for people who are homeless;

Documentation other then the client’s statement must also be provided on agency letterhead.

2. The individual or family head of household must be disabled.  For the purposes of this program, the definition of disabled includes persons who:

• Have a disability as defined in Section 223(d) of the Social Security Act.
• Have a physical, mental, or emotional impairment that:
• Is expected to be of long-continued and indefinite duration
• Substantially impedes his or her ability to live independently
• Is of such a nature that the ability to live independently could be improved by more suitable housing conditions, and
• The applicant has impairment in role functioning, on continuing or intermittent basis, for at least two years

Eligible Mental Health Disabilities:

• Schizophrenia (DSM IV 295.10, 295.20, 295.30, 295.40, 295.60, 295.70 and 295.90)
• Major Affective Disorders ( DSM IV 296.33, and 296.34)
• Bipolar Disorders (DSM IV 296.43, 296.44, 296.53, 296.54, 296.63, 296.64, 296.80, and 296.89)
• Delusional Disorder (DSM IV 297.10)
• Psychotic Disorder, NOS (DSMIV 298.90)
• Schizotypal Personality Disorder (DSM !V 301.22)
• Borderline Personality Disorder (DSM IV 301.83)

3. The individual or family head of household must be at least 18 years of age.

4. The individual or family must receive less than the median income and lack adequate resources to obtain housing.

1 Person	2 Persons	3 Persons	4 Persons	5 Persons	6 persons	7 Persons	8 Persons
24,200	27,700	31,150	34,600	37,350	40,150	42,900	45,650

 

5.  No household member may have been convicted of a crime of violence as defined by Article 27, subsection 634B of the State of Maryland Criminal Procedure Article.

Individuals convicted of a felony that is not considered a crime of violence will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

6.  The individual or family head of household must be able to execute a lease and obtain utilities in their name.

7. The individual or family head of household must be able to substantially complete all activities of daily living. Examples of these activities include but are not limited to, ability to maintain cleanliness of unit, ability to acquire and prepare food, ability to maintain personal hygiene and ability to perform activities related to upkeep and maintenance of personal health. This can either be accomplished independently or through in place services that are expected to continue once the applicant is enrolled in the program.

8.  The individual or family head of household must complete and comply with a service plan identifying all appropriate supportive services training/placement programs, life skills training, and planned meaningful activities, prior to entering housing.

9.  TCAH will provide housing to eligible candidates only as a last resort when no other suitable housing is available.  All other housing resources must be considered before being accepted into the TCAH Program.

10. For individuals residing in transitional housing for homeless persons, TCAH will only accept an application for consideration when the individual or family head of household is within 6 months of discharge from the transitional housing program.

11. In the event that the family head of household is not a United States Citizen, the family must provide proof of their legal immigration status prior to approval for placement.