The CHP Rental Assistance Program works well when each player does his or her part. The players include CHP, the landlord, and the program participant. Specific responsibilities for each partner are highlighted below.
CHP
- Pays landlord guaranteed monthly payment equal to the difference between rent paid by the program participant and the approved rent for the unit
- Inspects participant units at least once every year
- Investigates potential fraud or program abuse by participants or landlords
- Provides quality customer service to both landlords and program participants
- Notifies landlord of any change in subsidy amount
Landlord
- Performs all management and related rental functions for the assisted unit, including program participant screening and selection
- Maintains the unit in accordance with Housing Quality Standards (HQS), including unit maintenance
- Complies with equal opportunity/fair housing requirements
- Prepares information required under the Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) contract and furnishes the information to CHP
- Collects security deposit, program participant portion of the rent, and any charges for damages to the unit above normal wear and tear from tenant
- Enforces program participant obligations as a tenant under the signed lease agreement
- Pays for utilities and services agreed upon in the lease
- May not collect side payments from HCV program participant or charge more rent than approved by CHP
Program Participant
- Supplies information determined necessary by CHP and/or HUD to administer the program, including completion of scheduled income reviews
- Pays utilities that are not supplied by the landlord in accordance with lease
- Provides and/or maintains the appliances for which they are responsible in accordance with the lease
- Accepts responsibility for and corrects damages inflicted to unit by family member or guest, within timeframe specified within lease
- May not commit serious or repeated violation(s) of the lease
- Notifies CHP and their landlord 30 days in advance, prior to moving or terminating the lease
