Sec.17b-802-2. Eligibility Criteria

Before an applicant may participate in the security deposit guarantee or security deposit grant program, an applicant shall satisfy the department that the criteria established in this section are met:

(1) The applicant shall submit to the department a completed application packet that complies with the requirements of section 17b-802-4 of the Regulations of Connecticut State Agencies.

(2) The applicant shall meet one of the following requirements of financial eligibility:

(A) The applicant is a current recipient of temporary family assistance (TFA), state-administered general assistance (SAGA), or state supplement program benefits; or

(B) The annual gross income of the applicant and the applicant’s household does not exceed 150% of the federal poverty income guidelines as established by the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

(3) The applicant shall meet one of the following requirements of categorical eligibility:

(A) The applicant holds a federal Section 8 housing choice voucher or holds a certificate from the Rental Assistance Program, the Transitionary Rental Assistance Program or any other rental assistance program operated by the department;

(B) The applicant is currently residing in emergency housing or an emergency shelter in Connecticut;

(C) The applicant has been served a writ, summons and complaint in a summary process action instituted pursuant to chapter 832 of the Connecticut General Statutes; or

(D) The applicant cannot remain in permanent housing due to any reason specified in subsection (a) of section 17b-808 of the Connecticut General Statutes.

(4)(A) The dwelling unit shall be located in the state of Connecticut, meet all applicable local, state and federal housing code requirements, and be occupied by the applicant as permanent housing.

(B) Prior to the applicant moving into the dwelling unit, the landlord shall verify compliance with subparagraph (A) of this subdivision by providing the department with a copy of any certificate of occupancy required by any borough, city or town pursuant to section 47a-5 of the Connecticut General Statutes, and, if available, any Housing Quality Standards report issued by HUD to the landlord for the dwelling unit pursuant to 24 CFR 982.401.

(5) The landlord and the applicant shall conduct an inspection of the dwelling unit together and shall complete a form documenting the condition of the dwelling unit prior to the applicant moving into the dwelling unit. The department may require that a dwelling unit also be inspected by a department designee prior to the applicant moving into the dwelling unit.

(6) The department shall determine that the applicant’s household can reasonably be expected to afford the monthly rental charge of the dwelling unit.

(7) The department shall determine whether the applicant is precluded from occupying the otherwise affordable dwelling unit due to a security deposit requirement that is beyond the current financial means of the applicant.

(8) If the applicant is applying for a security deposit grant, the commissioner shall determine, at the commissioner’s discretion, whether emergency circumstances exist that threaten the health, safety or welfare of a child that lives with the applicant in order for the applicant to be eligible for a security deposit grant.

(Adopted effective May 24, 2004; Amended June 28, 2013)