Tenant Based Rental Assistance (TBRA) is a rental subsidy with HOME funds that can be used to help individual households afford housing costs such as:

• Rent
• Utility Costs
• Security Deposits
• Utility Deposits

The City has contracted with Hamilton County to assist 85 households in Cincinnati per year over a 3-year period with the option for contract renewal in year 3. The TBRA program provides payments to make up the difference between the amount a household can afford to pay for housing and the local rent standard.

HOME TBRA differs from other types of HOME rental housing activities in three key ways:

• TBRA programs utilize HOME funds to help individual households rather than subsidizing new affordable rental projects.
• TBRA assistance moves with the tenant – if the household no longer wishes to rent a particular unit, the household may take its TBRA and move to another rental property.
• TBRA subsidy varies based on the income of the household, the unit the household selects, and the rent standard.

TBRA offers flexibility for households to choose the neighborhood as well as the type of housing (such as a single-family home, large apartment building, duplex, garden style unit, etc.).  It also offers jurisdictions flexibility to meet fluctuating demand for housing and allow the design of specialized programs specifically for people with disabilities.

Risk Avoidance

Financing the construction or rehabilitation of new rental housing is inherently risky.  Owners and developers can default on their financing, sending projects into foreclosure and putting at risk the City’s investment.  Since TBRA programs are tenant-based, the City can terminate the assistance if the tenant fails to meet program requirements.  TBRA poses no long-term financial obligation to the City.

Household Selection Process

Hamilton County has used HOME funds for a TBRA program since 1992 that provides affordable housing for people with disabilities whose household income is below 50% of area median income.  2010 maximum incomes @ 50% AMI are: 

• 1 person: $24,350
• 2 person: $27,800
• 3 person: $31,300
• 4 person: $34,750
• 5 person: $37,550
• 6 person: $40,350
• 7 person: $43,100
• 8 person: $45,900

The County utilizes a waiting list that is established through referrals from the Center for Independent Living Options (CILO).  Applications are available based on availability of room on the waiting list.  Clients and staff of these agencies complete the forms.  The forms, along with income verification information are then submitted to the County for final review and approval to be placed on the waiting list.  Applicants are placed on the waiting list in the order they are determined to be eligible.

To be eligible for the Program, applicants must meet the following criteria:

1. The applicant must qualify as a family.
2. One or more members of the family must be disabled.
3. The family’s annual income must fall below 50% AMI.
4. The family must not owe rent or other amounts to the program or another PHA.
5. The family must not have been evicted within the past 3 years from Public or Indian Housing, or a Section 23 or Section 8 Program, because of drug-related criminal activity.
6. The family must not be illegally using a controlled substance or abusing alcohol.
7. The family members must be U.S. citizens or have eligible immigration status.
8.  The family must not include a member who is subject to a lifetime registration requirement under a State sex offender registration program.
9. The family must not include a member who has been convicted of a violent criminal act or a felony drug-related criminal act within the past 3 years.
10. The family must not have been terminated from another assisted housing program for fraud within the last two years.

For more information, contact Suzanne Hopkins, Director of Programs with The Center for Independent Living Options, Inc. at (513) 241-2600.