Homeless Client Services

The City of Hinesville Homeless Prevention Program is an entry point in the Coordinated Entry System. To access homeless services all applicants must be assessed and referred to current, suitable, and eligible services which are not limited to the City of Hinesville Homeless Prevention Program and may be located throughout Georgia. The applicant will need to qualify for services by submitting additional documentation in a timely manner. All services provided are based on a prioritization of needs as determined by the Coordinated Entry System. 

Eligibility requirements are set by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development as well as the Georgia Department of Community Affairs. Households must meet the federal definition of homelessness to qualify for Rapid Re-Housing services.

All agencies that receive federal funding must adhere to the Coordinated Entry System and Prioritization List. The system determines what programs each household is eligible, if any, as well as the order assistance is provided and does not guarantee services from any agency. 

Federal Definition of Homelessness

Assistance provided by the Homeless Prevention Program is reserved for clients meeting the federal definition of literal homelessness.  The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) defines as an individual or family who lacks a fixed, regular, and adequate nighttime residence, meaning: 

(i) Has a primary nighttime residence that is a public or private place not meant for human habitation; 

(ii) Is living in a publicly or privately operated shelter designated to provide temporary living arrangements (including congregate shelters, transitional housing, and hotels and motels paid for by charitable organizations or by federal, state, and local government programs); or 

(iii) Is exiting an institution where (s)he has resided for 90 days or less and who resided in an emergency shelter or place not meant for human habitation immediately before entering that institution.

EMERGENCY SHELTER NOTICE

PLEASE NOTE THAT EMERGENCY SHELTER IS NOT AUTOMATIC OR GUARANTEED. SERVICE IS BASED ON COORDINATED ENTRY ASSESSMENT PRIORITIZATION.

STEP 1: Coordinated Entry Screening Application

Individuals and/or families (household) experiencing literal homelessness can enter into the Coordinated Entry System by completing an application for screening. Each adult in the household should complete an application. Once the application is submitted, the applicant will receive the next available appointment with the Coordinated Entry Intake Specialist.

STEP 2: Coordinated Entry Assessment Appointment

The Coordinated Entry Intake Specialist assesses each household's situation through a series of questions. Results of the assessment prioritizes who to serve next. 

The Coordinated Entry Intake Specialist will inform each household of which programs the Coordinated Entry System identifies that the household may be eligible also known as a referral. 

STEP 3: Referral and Prioritization List

If the Coordinated Entry System indicates a household may be eligible for housing services, a referral is made to an agency or agencies. Referral agencies within the Coordinated Entry System will contact the household within 3 days. 

Referrals to the Homeless Prevention Program (HPP) will be contacted within 2 days to complete a full application for services. The provision of services through HPP is in order of the prioritization list. Based on prioritization, households may be referred and eligible but not receive assistance due to limited funding. PLEASE NOTE, THE HOMELESS PREVENTION PROGRAM DOES NOT HAVE RAPID RE-HOUSING FUNDING FOR THE 2024-2025 GRANT YEAR (OCT. 1, 2024 - SEPT. 30, 2025).

STEP 4: Rapid Re-housing Application

Assistance applications are distributed based on Coordinated Entry prioritization. Once provided, the application be completed and returned with the required additional documents as soon as possible. Incomplete or partial applications will not be processed. 

STEP 5: Deposit & First Month Rent

Assistance is provided in order of first qualified applicants. Following application approval, client location of housing, passing inspection, and execution of lease, as well as other required documents, the Homeless Prevention Program will remit payment for deposit and first month rent. Payments are made directly to the property owner/manager.  

Unit rent amount and utility allowance must be within current HUD Fair Market Rent guidelines to receive assistance. The program DOES NOT assist with subsidized housing units, due to federal grant requirements.