EFA Housing StabilizationProgram Policy

• Provide short-term financial assistance to prevent eviction or foreclosure and stabilize housing for individuals and families experiencing temporary financial hardship.
• Assistance is designed to address urgent housing crises and prevent displacement.

• Households at risk of eviction or foreclosure
• Individuals experiencing documented financial hardship
• Low-income households or those experiencing a temporary financial crisis

• Past-due rent payments
• Past-due mortgage payments
• Current rent or mortgage (only when required to prevent eviction or foreclosure)
• Court-related housing fees (if allowable)
• Late fees (if required and documented)
• Escrow shortages or housing-related costs (case-by-case and funding dependent)

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrated housing crisis (e.g., eviction notice, foreclosure notice, delinquency)
• Documented financial hardship or temporary loss of income
• Ability to provide required documentation for verification
• Household must be at risk of losing current housing
• Requested assistance must directly support housing stabilization

Applicants may be required to provide:

• Government-issued identification
• Proof of income or financial hardship (e.g., pay stubs, benefits letter, tax documents)
• Lease agreement, rent ledger, or mortgage statement
• Eviction notice, foreclosure notice, or delinquency statement
• Court documents (if applicable)
• Supporting documentation for crisis (e.g., medical, employment loss, emergency event)
• Any additional documentation required to verify eligibility

What This Program Does Not Cover:

• Ongoing or long-term rental or mortgage assistance
• Expenses not directly related to preventing eviction or foreclosure
• Utility bills, deposits, or non-housing expenses (unless specifically funded and approved)
• Payments made directly to applicants
• Incomplete or unverifiable applications
• Requests without documented housing need
• Any costs restricted by funding sources

• Payments are made directly to landlords, vendors, or service providers
• Assistance is not provided directly to applicants unless specified by program guidelines
• Payments are issued after all required documentation and verification are complete
• All requests are subject to funding availability

• Assistance is not guaranteed
• Applicants must provide accurate and complete information
• AOP verifies information with third parties
• Duplicate funding for the same expense is not allowed
• Assistance must be used only for approved expenses

Processing time varies based on:

• Documentation completeness
• Verification requirements
• Funding availability

• Assistance is generally limited to one-time, short-term support per household
• Maximum amounts vary by funding source
• Amounts may be adjusted based on need and funding
• Repeat assistance is not guaranteed

When funds are limited, priority may be given to:

• Households with urgent need
• Low-income households
• Vulnerable populations (e.g., children, seniors, individuals with disabilities)

• Funding may come from government, foundation, corporate, or private sources
• Assistance must follow all funding requirements
• Eligible expenses may vary by funding source
• AOP complies with all applicable laws and regulations

• Staff and volunteers may not benefit from program assistance
• Conflicts must be disclosed and managed per policy

AOP reserves the right to:

• Approve, deny, or modify requests
• Request additional documentation
• Adjust assistance based on funding and program guidelines
• Eligibility does not guarantee assistance

• False or misleading information may result in denial or termination
• AOP maintains controls to ensure proper use of funds
• Suspected misuse may be reviewed and investigated

• Applicant information is collected and used solely for program eligibility, verification, and reporting purposes
• Information may be shared with service providers or funders as required
• AOP maintains safeguards to protect information

• AOP provides services without discrimination based on race, color, religion, gender, age, disability, or national origin

• Submission of an application indicates acceptance of this policy