The Family Unification Program (FUP) is a collaborative effort between the DHCD and the Department of Social Services (DSS). The Family Unification program provides housing assistance to: (1) battered women and their children who have been displaced because of the battering situation and have not secured permanent, standard, replacement housing; and (2) families with children in placement who have substantially complied with all the DSS service plan tasks, but do not have permanent or adequate housing to which their children can be returned.
DHCD's Division of Public Housing and Rental Assistance, which administers this program, has the responsibility for regulatory and administrative oversight of all state and federally aided rental assistance programs which address the needs of lowincome families, the elderly and persons with disabilities.
How it works:
Eligible households are issued a Section 8/HCVP Voucher. The family is then able to locate their own rental housing, which can be located anywhere in the country, or they can elect to remain in their current unit provided it meets program requirements. Rental units must meet minimum standards of health and safety. The rent for the unit must be reasonable in comparison to rents charged for similar, unassisted apartments in the area. A rental subsidy is paid directly to the landlord on behalf of the participating family by the housing agency. The subsidy is determined by the family's income. The family pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the Section 8/HCVP in program.
The Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) contracts with eight regional housing agencies and one local housing authority to administer its portfolio of Section 8 subsidies.
Who is eligible:
All applicants must have an open DSS case at the time of referral, selection, and when the voucher is issued.
Application process:
DSS refers eligible clients to the DHCD administering agency in its region. Referrals are placed on a regional waiting list.
Grants:
The Family Unification Program serves up to 598 households throughout the Commonwealth.
For further information:
Please contact the Bureau of Federal Rental Assistance at (617) 573-1150 or your DSS case worker.