The Substantial Amendment to the Chester County Department of Community Development (DCD) Consolidated Plan 2008 Action Plan for the Homelessness Prevention and Rapid Re-Housing Program (HPRP) is available for public comment.

Under the Recovery Act, Congress has designated HPRP funding to provide financial assistance and services to either prevent individuals and families from becoming homeless, or to help those who are experiencing homelessness to be quickly re-housed and stabilized.

The ultimate objective of HPRP is to direct funding and technical assistance to the development of a comprehensive, seamless approach to housing, case management, and supportive services that incorporate all of the components necessary to support near-homeless and homeless people's efforts to stabilize their lives.

HPRP funding represents an opportunity to expand regional collaboration and strengthen the system of community services in Chester County, through formal partnership agreements and referral procedures, making it as effective and efficient as possible.

There are two target populations facing housing instability who may be eligible to receive funding under the HPRP:

1. Populations eligible for homeless prevention include individuals and families who are currently in housing but are at risk of becoming homeless; they may need temporary rent or utility assistance to prevent them from becoming homeless or assistance to move to another unit.
2. Populations eligible for rapid re-housing include individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness (residing in emergency or transitional shelters or on the street) and need temporary assistance in order to obtain housing and retain it.