HUD has established specific eligibility and operating requirements for the EHVs.  Eligibility for these EHVs is limited to individuals and families who are:

1. Homeless;
2. At risk of homelessness;
3. Fleeing or attempting to flee domestic violence, dating violence, sexual assault, stalking or human trafficking; or
4. Recently homeless and for whom providing rental assistance will prevent the family’s homelessness or having high risk of housing instability.

HUD requires that PHAs partner with the Continuum of Care (CoC) or other homeless or victim services providers to assist qualifying households through a direct referral process. CoCs are responsible for determining whether a household qualifies under one of the four eligibility categories for EHVs and PHAs must only accept referrals for EHVs directly from the CoCs Coordinated Entry System (CES) or from Victim Service Provider (VSP).

The RTFH as the Lead Agency for San Diego region’s CoC has partnered with all four PHAs to plan for and implement a successful and sustainable EHV program in the San Diego region. RTFH and the four PHAs are committed to a successful EHV program and recognize the importance of a joint communication strategy to keep San Diegan’s informed of EHV program requirements and how to access EHVs.

RTFH and the PHAs hosted a webinar to further explain the program and if you should refer participants you are working with, as provided in the links below.

The Flexible Housing Subsidy Pool (FHSP) is a nationally recognized systems-level strategy to fund, locate, and secure housing for people experiencing homelessness in a more coordinated and streamlined way. The FHSP is a critical community tool to provider more immediate and equitable access to housing.

The San Diego FHSP is administered by RTFH and operated by nationally-recognized Brilliant Corners. The FHSP has successfully leveraged underutilized VASH vouchers and other subsidies to secure units in a high cost, tight rental market and provide the critical landlord-tenancy supports to successfully house veterans, chronically homeless, youth, and families.

The FHSP aligns with Regional Community Action Plan to End and Prevent Homelessness in San Diego as well as the County of San Diego’s Framework for Ending Homelessness.

To learn more about the FHP please email lahela.mattox@rtfhsd.org.

• Centralized landlord engagement efforts under a single entity.
• Dedicated staff members focused on partnering with community-based landlords and securing available units in the private rental market.
• Flexible funds to create a pool of real-time available units in the community for homeless households to access.
• Flexible funds to pay for needed housing expenses including application fees, deposits, utility arrears, and furniture and other household goods.
• Flexible funds for landlord mitigation to pay for damage to units and landlord incentives.
• Collaboration with existing programs that offer both rental assistance and housing-based case management and supportive services.
• Dedicated staff members to provide housing tenancy services and coordinate with the landlord, the supportive services program, and the participant to ensure ongoing housing stability.

The overall goal for the first year of the program was to: place 140 households into permanent housing; promote a regional strategy to reducing homelessness in all 18 cities; serve priority populations of focus, including veterans and youth experiencing homelessness; support housing exits for households as part of the COVID-19 response; engage new partners; and promote regional landlord strategy and collaboration. The first year of the FHP was funded by RTFH and the County of San Diego and fully funded by RTFH in year 2 and year 3.

The San Diego FHP met the first year’s goals and demonstrated numerous successes between October 2020 and October 2021. The program placed 239 households in permanent housing, which far exceeded the goal of 140 households. Brilliant Corners has continued to meet and exceed the goal of 140 households. Since program inception, the FHP has secured 653 active units throughout the San Diego region and has housed 639 households (data as of March 31, 2023). Retention rates for the current fiscal year are not yet available. Through June 30, 2022 the retention rates for FHP are 92%.

• San Diego Flexible Housing Pool Model Overview Presentation 12/2022 – click here
• San Diego Flexible Housing Pool Presentation – Brilliant Corners  click here
• Brilliant Corners Housing Acquisition Model  click here
• Flexible Housing Pool Year 1 Report  click here
• Flexible Housing Pool 6 Month Report (Oct. 2020-Apr 2021) click here
• May 2023 Monthly Report  click here