COMMUNITY SERVICE POLICY

In October 1998, Congress passed the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act (QHWRA) which requires that all adult residents (18 years of age and older) meeting certain criteria must engage in 8 hours of community service and/or economic self- sufficiency activities monthly. (24 CFR subpart F, 960.00 through 960.609)

Amended: August 13, 2015

Community Service and economic self-sufficiency requirements mandate that each nonexempt adult household member (18 years or older) shall either contribute 8 hours per month of community service, or participate in an economic self-sufficiency program for 8 hours per month (24 CFR 960.603(a)). The requirements can also be met by performing a combination of community service and participation in an economic self-sufficiency program. The required community service or self-sufficiency activity may be completed at 8 hours per month or may be aggregated across a year. Any blocking of hours is acceptable as long as 96 hours is completed by each annual recertification.

Under this provision of law, non-compliance with the community and self-sufficiency requirement (CSSR) is a violation and grounds for non-renewal of the lease at the end of the 12 month lease term. It is not however, grounds for termination of tenancy during the course of the 12 month lease term. Non-renewal of the lease is ultimately grounds for eviction.

Definition of Community Service

Community Service is the performance of voluntary work or duties that are a public benefit, and that serve to improve the quality of life, enhance resident self-sufficiency, or increase resident self-responsibility in the community. Community service is not employment and may not include political activities. (24 CFR 960.601(b)).

Community Service - volunteer work which includes, but is not limited to:

  • Local public or nonprofit institution, such as schools, Head Start Programs, before-or after-school programs, childcare centers, hospitals, clinics, hospices, nursing homes, recreation centers, senior centers, adult daycare programs, homeless shelters, feeding programs, food banks (distributing either donated or commodity foods), or clothes closets (distributing donated clothing)
  • Work with a non-profit organization that serves PHA residents or their childrensuch as: Boy or Girls Scouts, Boys or Girls Clubs, 4-H Program, Police Athletic League (PAL), Garden Center, Big Brother or Sisters, community cleanup programs, beautification programs, organized children’s recreation, mentoring or education programs
  • Programs funded under the Older American Act, such as Green Thumb, Service Corps of Retired Executives, senior meals programs, senior centers, Meals on Wheels
  • Public or nonprofit organizations dedicated to seniors, youth, children, residents, citizens, special-needs populations or with missions to enhance the environment, historic resources, cultural identities, neighborhoods or performing arts
  • Working through resident organization to help other residents with problems, serving on the Resident Advisory Board (Tenant Council), outreach and assistance with RRHA-run self-sufficiency activities including supporting computer learning centers
  • Caring for the children of other residents so they may volunteer
  • RRHA Youth Sports and Fine Arts Academy

Definition of Economic Self-Sufficiency Program

For the purpose of satisfying the community service requirement, participating in an Economic Self Sufficiency Program is defined by HUD as any program designed to encourage, assist, train or facilitate economic independence of assisted families or to provide work for such families.

In addition to the HUD definition above, RRHA defines economic self-sufficiency as participating in an educational or vocational training program designed to lead to employment, activities, as approved by RRHA on a case-by-case basis

Economic Self-Sufficiency Activities – activities that include, but are not limited to:

  • Job readiness or job training while not employed
  • Training programs through local One-Stop Centers, Workforce Investment Board (local entities administered through the U.S. Department of Labor), or other training providers
  • Higher Education (junior college of college)
  • Apprenticeships (formal or informal)
  • High School/GED classes
  • Substance abuse or mental health counseling
  • English proficiency or literacy (reading)/ESL classes
  • Budgeting and credit counseling
  • Carrying out any activity required by the Dept. of Social Services (DSS) as a part

of the welfare reform

  • Homeownership Workshops
  • Any kind of class that helps a person move toward economic independence

Exemptions

  • Is 62 years of age or older ;
  • 1. Blind or disabled individual as defined under 216(i) (1) or 1614 of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 416 (i)(1) ; 1382c) , and who certify that because of this disability, she or he is unable to comply with the service requirement ; or
  1. Is a Primary Caretaker of such individual;
  • Engaged in work activity that meets one of the following definitions of “work activity” as defined in Section 407(d) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C Section 607(d))

1. Unsubsidized employment

2. Subsidized private sector employment

3. Subsidized public-sector employment

4. Work experience (work associated with the refurbishing of publicly assisted housing) if sufficient private sector employment is not available

5. On-the job-training

6. Job search and job readiness assistance

7. Community Service Programs

8. Vocational education training (not to exceed 12 months with respect to any individual).

9. Job skills training directly related to employment

10. Education directly related to employment in the case of a recipient who has not received a high school diploma or certificate of high school equivalency.

11. Satisfactory attendance at secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalency, in the case of a recipient who has not completed secondary school or received such a certificate

  • Able to meet requirements under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C Section 601 et seq.) or under any other welfare program of the State in which PHA is located including a State-administered Welfare-to-Work program
  • A member of a family receiving assistance, benefits, or services under a State program funded under, funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C Section 601 et seq), or under any other welfare program of the State in which the PHA is located, including a State-administered Welfare to Work program, and has not been found by the State or other administering entity to be in noncompliance with such a program

* HUD has determined that the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) qualifies as a welfare program of the state. Therefore, if a tenant is a member of family receiving assistance under SNAP, and has been found by the administering State to be in compliance with the program requirements, that tenant is exempted from the Community Service Requirement

  • Employed 30 hours or more per week

Applicants:

RRHA will provide the family a copy of the Community Service and Self-Sufficiency Requirement (CSSR) policy at initial application and secure certification of receipt

New Residents

New resident orientations will include the CSSR. New residents will be identified asexempt or non-exempt immediately upon residency. The CSSR will begin 30 daysafter the lease is signed if no exemption is granted.

Resident Responsibilities at Lease Execution or Re-examination:

At lease execution or re-examination after October 1, 2003, all adult members (18or older) of a public housing tenant family must:

  • Provide documentation, if applicable, that they qualify for an exemption; (Documentation provided by the tenant will be used by RRHA to determine whether the tenant is exempt from the CSSR).
  • Sign a certification that they have received and read this policy and understand that if they are not exempt, failure to comply with the Community Service requirement will result in non-renewal of their lease. (Per 24 CFR 966.4(1)(2)(iii)(D)).

*When a non-exempt person becomes exempt, it is his or her responsibility to report this to RRHA and provide documentation. When an exempt person becomes non-exempt, it is his or her responsibility to report this to RRHA.

At each annual re-examination, non-exempt family members must present a signed certification on a form provided by RRHA of the CSSR activities performed over the previous twelve (12) months. This form will include places for signatures of supervisors, instructors, or counselors certifying to the number of hours contributed.

RRHA Obligations: To the greatest extent possible and practicable, RRHA will:

  • Provide names and contacts at agencies that can provide opportunities for tenants, including disabled, to fulfill their Community Service and Self-Sufficiency Requirement.(According to the Quality Housing and Work Responsibility Act, a disabledperson who is otherwise able to perform community service is not necessarilyexempt from the Community Service requirement).
  • Provide in-house opportunities for volunteer service or self-sufficiency programs
  • Provide the family with: Community Service Exemption, Certification Form; Community Service Compliance Certification Form; Record Certification of Community Service and Self-Sufficiency Activities Form; and a copy of thispolicy at initial application and at lease execution.
  • At least thirty (30) days prior to annual re-examination and/or lease expiration,RRHA will begin reviewing the exempt or non-exempt status and compliance of family members

Noncompliant Residents: The responsibility for enforcement will be with the RRHA.

If RRHA finds a family member to be non-compliant, the RRHA will enter into an agreement with the non-compliant member and the head of household to make up the deficient hours over the next twelve- (12) month period. If, at the next annual re-examination, the family member still is not compliant, the lease will not be renewed and the entire family would be issued a 30-day notice to vacate by RRHA, unless the non-compliant member agrees to move out of the unit and a new lease is signed with the family amending its composition accordingly.

Grievance Hearings

Grievance Hearings will be available to residents in compliance with RRHA Grievance Procedures as outlined in Chapter 23 – Tenant Grievance Procedure. At the point of eviction due to noncompliance, a resident is eligible for a grievance hearing. The hearing officer/hearing panel will review disputes between property management and residents related to exemptions and qualifying community service and self-sufficiency activities. They may also address other issues that arise related to CSSR policies and procedures and HUD’s review of the plan.

RICHMOND REDEVELOPMENT AND HOUSING AUTHORITY

Community Service Acknowledgement

I hereby acknowledge that I have received a copy of the RRHA Community Service and Self-Sufficiency Requirement. I acknowledge that as a resident I am required by law to contribute 8 hours per month (96 hours over the course of a year) of community service or participate in an economic self-sufficiency program. RRHA has explained this policy to me and I understand that if I am not exempt, failure to comply with this policy, fully or in part, is grounds for lease non-renewal.

______

Head of Household or Adult Family MemberDate

______

RRHA StaffDate

COMMUNITY SERVICE HOURS MAKE-UP AGREEMENT

Name: ______

Address: ______

Phone Number: ______Unit: ______

Head of Household Name: ______(If different from above)

In accordance with the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and RRHA Community Service and Self-Sufficiency Requirement, I agree to make up the required number of hours over the next twelve months. I understand that if I fail to make up the required hours within twelve months, the Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority will not renew my lease. The number of hours that must be made up: ______. These hours must be made up no later than______.

*This hours are in addition to the 96 hours required annually if non-exempted.*

______

Adult Family Member SignatureDate

______

Head of Household Signature (If different from above)Date

______

RRHA Staff Signature Date

RICHMOND REDVELOPMENT AND HOUSING

Community Service Requirements Exemption Form

Name: ______Phone Number: ______

Address: ______Unit______

Head of Household Name: ______(If different from above)

I understand that all non-exempted adult public housing members shall contribute eight (8) hours per month of community service and/or participate in an economic self- sufficiency program or 96 hours over the course of a year.(not including political activities)

I claim an exemption from the Community Services Requirement for the following reason(s):

(check the appropriate exemption):

Is 62 years of age or older

Blind or disabled individual as defined under 216(i) (1) or 1614 of the Social Security Act

(42 U.S.C. 416 (i)(1) ; 1382c) , and who certify that because of this disability, she or he is

unable to comply with the service requirement

Is a Primary Caretaker blind or disabled individual

Employed 30 hours or more per week

Able to meet requirements under a State program funded under part A of title IV of the

Social Security Act (42 U.S.C Section 601 et seq.) or under any other welfare program of

the State in which

A member of a family receiving assistance, benefits, or services under a State program

funded under, funded under part A of title IV of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C Section

601 etseq), or under any other welfare program including a State-administered Welfare to

Work program, and has not been found by the State or other administering entity to be in

noncompliance with such a program

Engaged in work activity that meets one of the following definitions of “work activity” as

defined in Section 407(d) of the Social Security Act (42 U.S.C Section 607(d))

Unsubsidized employment
Subsidized public-sector employment
Job search and job readiness assistance
Vocational education training (not to exceed 12 months with respect to any individual). / Subsidized private sector employment
On-the job-training
Community Service Programs
Work experience (work associated with the refurbishing of publicly assisted housing)
Satisfactory attendance at secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalency, in the case of a recipient who has not completed secondary school or received such a certificate
Job skills training directly related to employment / Education directly related to employment in the case of a recipient who has not received a high school diploma or certificate of high school equivalency

______

Signature of Family Member Claiming ExemptionDate

______

Signature of RRHA StaffDate

Richmond Redevelopment and Housing Authority

Community Service / Economic Self-Sufficiency Activity Reporting Form

Name of Volunteer
Address
Unit Number
Telephone Number
Name of Community Service / Self -Sufficiency Organization
Name of Contact Person
Address
Telephone Number
Community Service/ Economic Self-Sufficiency Organization Contact Person to fill out the rest of form.
Date of Service / Number of Hours Completed / Description of Community Work(e.g. youth activity, Resident Council activity, community clean-up, etc.
It is the responsibility of the Volunteer to turn in the reporting forms to RRHA. A separate form must be submitted for each organization.

Signature of Contact Person:______Date:______

Signature of Volunteer:______Date:______

Any person knowingly and willingly makes false or fraudulent statement to any Department or Agency of the U.S. or the Department of Housing and Urban Development is guilty of a felony per Title 18, Section 1001 of the U.S. Code. Failure to provide true information may begrounds for termination of housing assistance. I Certify the answers given are True and accurate to the best of my knowledge. I have no objections to inquiries made to verify any statements herein.

REV 100716