Chapter 1 - San Diego Housing Commission

Chapter 13 – Special Programs
serve more clients. The amount of sponsor-based voucher (SBV) housing subsidies paid is based on
income calculations mirroring the regulations governing the Housing Choice Voucher program.
Waiting Lists: Sponsors create and maintain site-based waiting lists. When creating the waiting lists,
sponsors receive input from SDHC on rating and ranking of the applicants to ensure compliance with Fair
Housing laws. In addition, SBV program participants are required to apply for and remain on SDHC’s
tenant-based waiting list in order to transfer to the tenant-based voucher program.
Inspections: SDHC conducts Housing Quality Standards (HQS) inspections for each unit leased by an SBV
program participant.
Administration: Sponsors will provide program administration, including all eligibility and income
determinations, rent calculations, interim and annual certifications. SDHC will train sponsors on SBV
program requirements. The SBV program will generally adopt the Housing Choice Voucher rules and will
include many of the SDHC MTW streamlining methods for income eligibility and rent calculations. The
sponsors will be required to have a program plan that will define eligibility factors, leasing requirements,
and termination policies and procedures. Sponsors will develop written service protocols and define
how they will conduct client management. A written service plan will be maintained for each participant
in the SBV program.
Monitoring: SDHC provides program oversight and evaluation and monitors the sponsor for compliance
with program requirements. The sponsor utilizes in-house software to manage the clients’ case
management. Each sponsor is required to submit semi-annual written reports detailing the progression
of their program as well as pertinent client data required to issue the appropriate subsidy amounts.
SECTION 7: FAMILY UNIFICATION PROGRAM (FUP)
In 1990, Congress authorized the Family Unification Program (FUP). This program was established when
the lack of adequate housing emerged as a critical factor in the out-of-home placement of children. The
intent of the program is to provide timely housing voucher assistance for reunifying families or for
families whose children are at risk of out-of-home placement due to inadequate housing. It is
administered by collaborating housing agencies and Child Welfare Agencies (CWA), FUP provides CWA
families with Section 8 rental assistance.
In August 2010, the SDHC received a Federal Grant providing for housing vouchers for families at risk of
their children entering out-of-home care or reunifying families. A Memorandum of Understanding was
executed between SDHC and the County of San Diego, Health and Human Services Agency Child Welfare
Services Agency.
FUP vouchers are administered in accordance with the prescribed operating requirements (24 CFR
Section 982) and are not eligible for fungibility under a PHA’s MTW agreement. Additionally, as
specifically required by the Appropriations Act, upon turnover, a voucher issued to a FUP eligible family
must be re-issued to another FUP eligible family.
Once the family receives a FUP Voucher, terminations may occur because of the family's action or failure
to act. The family will not be terminated if the child(ren) is not returned. See "Terminations and
Program Integrity Unit" chapter for additional information about reviews and hearings.
The SDHC has adopted the published guidelines and has developed separate policy documents for FUP.
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