EFA Move-In StabilizationProgram Policy

• Provide one-time, short-term financial assistance to help individuals and families secure safe and stable housing by removing immediate financial barriers to move-in.
• Assistance is designed to support households facing urgent housing instability due to unexpected hardship.

• Individuals and families who are unhoused, at risk of displacement, or living in unsafe or unstable housing
• Households approved for housing but unable to afford required move-in costs
• Low-income households or those experiencing a documented financial crisis

Eligible assistance may include:

• Security deposits
• First month's rent
• Utility deposits or activation fees
• Required move-in costs necessary to secure approved housing
• Other housing-related move-in expenses (case-by-case and funding dependent)

Applicants must meet the following criteria:

• Demonstrated housing barrier preventing move-in (e.g., lack of deposit, inability to cover upfront costs)
• Verified housing opportunity (e.g., approved lease, landlord confirmation, or move-in agreement)
• Documented financial hardship or crisis
• Ability to provide required documentation for verification
• Requested assistance must directly support securing housing

Applicants may be required to provide:

• Government-issued identification
• Proof of income or financial hardship (e.g., pay stubs, benefits letter, tax documents)
• Signed lease, lease offer, or housing approval documentation
• Landlord or vendor confirmation of move-in costs
• Invoice, estimate, or written breakdown of required move-in expenses
• Documentation supporting housing crisis (e.g., eviction/displacement notice, shelter verification, unsafe housing conditions)
• Any additional documentation required to verify eligibility

What This Program Does Not Cover:

• Ongoing or long-term rental assistance
• Housing costs not directly related to move-in or securing housing
• Payments made directly to applicants
• Housing units not verified or approved
• Incomplete or unverifiable applications
• Requests without confirmed housing opportunity
• 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)
• Cases are reviewed based on need, documentation, and available funding

• 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