Metropolitan Housing Access Program (MHAP)

Housing Counseling Services (HCS) administers MHAP, which is funded by the D.C. Department of Health, HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD, and Tuberculosis Administration (HAHSTA).  MHAP is the centralized source for housing services and housing information for persons living with HIV/AIDS in the District of Columbia and Prince George’s County and Charles Counties in Maryland.  There are three primary areas of services offered by MHAP:

• Financial Assistance

• Housing Programs

• Housing Information and Referral Services (HIRS)

To download a brochure for the Metropolitan Housing Access Program, click here.

The STRMU Program provides financial assistance, for eligible households, towards delinquent rent, mortgage, and utility balances.  The financial assistance is available to assist households that are experiencing a financial hardship.  The STRMU program can provide financial assistance to eligible households for a maximum of 21 weeks out of a 52 week period. 

 

The Bridges Program provides financial assistance to eligible District of Columbia household towards delinquent rent, mortgage, and utility balances as well as first month’s rent and security deposit.  Eligible households may only receive Bridges Program assistance once per year.

To apply for financial assistance through the MHAP Program, contact your community based case manager to submit a MHAP financial assistance application on your behalf.  If you do not have a case manager, please contact HCS for a referral. 

• To download a District of Columbia MHAP financial assistance application, click here. 

• To download a Prince George's County Maryland MHAP STRMU application, click here. 

• To download the Metropolitan Housing Access Program Zero Income Statement, click here.

• To download the Federal W-9 form, click here.

MHAP is the central intake for housing programs funded by HAHSTA for persons living with HIV/AIDS.  Persons can apply for the Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program and transitional housing programs (D.C. only) as well as access emergency housing options (D.C. only).  To apply for a housing program, contact your community based case manager to submit a MHAP Housing application to HCS on your behalf.  If you do not have a case manager, please contact HCS for a referral. During the application process and while awaiting enrollment in a housing program, MHAP specialists will assist applicants explore available housing options and resources towards maintaining stable housing.

• To download a District of Columbia MHAP Housing Application, click here. 

• To download a Prince George's County Maryland MHAP Housing Application, click here. 

• To download a Charles County Maryland MHAP Housing Application, click here. 

• To download the Metropolitan Housing Access Program Zero Income Statement, click here.

• To download the Metropolitan Housing Homeless Verification form, click here.

Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) Program

The TBRA program is an independent living program for persons able to perform their activities of daily living and who demonstrate the capacity to successfully maintain rental housing.  Participants of the program receive a housing voucher that they can use to lease housing within their jurisdiction.  Participants of this program pay approximately 30% of their household income towards rent, adhere to and are expected to work towards self-sufficiency while participating in the program.

Transitional Housing Programs

Transitional housing programs are geared for persons who need support around health, mental health, maintaining sobriety and other key areas critical towards maintaining stable housing.  Transitional housing program settings funded by HAHSTA include shared living programs and individual apartment units.  The transitional housing programs are administered by various non-profit, community based organization operating in the District of Columbia.  Participants of the various supportive programs are expected to adhere to an individual housing plan and work towards transitioning to an independent living program or self sufficiency.

MHAP provides access to a wide range of housing services through the various housing programs administered by HCS.  Persons living with HIV/AIDS can receive individual housing counseling or participate in educational workshops towards resolving a housing issue or accomplishing a housing goal.  HCS offers expertise on important housing topics including tenancy issues, home pre-purchase, homeownership, foreclosure prevention, personal money management and housing discrimination/fair housing.  Additionally, eligible residents can apply for programs that provide homeownership down payment assistance, rental assistance, and financial assistance to rehabilitate one’s home.  To receive Housing Information and Referral Services (HIRS), please call (202) 667-2681 to speak with a MHAP Housing Specialist.

•  Diagnosis of HIV+ or AIDS (confirmed by lab report or signed physician statement)

•  Domiciled in the District of Columbia or Prince George's of Charles Counties in Maryland

•  Income does not exceed 80% of median income for the District of Columbia metropolitan area

Housing Counseling Services
2410 17^th Street, NW, Suite 100
Washington, DC  20009
Phone: (202) 667-7006
info@housingetc.org