CCHAP committed to rental assistance in Clinton County

Clinton County Housing Assistance Program (CCHAP) is a powerful anti-eviction service from Plattsburgh to rural areas to the west. This charity provides rental assistance to make sure that local residents have every protection from homelessness.

CCHAP does more than the average grant making handout organization. It is a provider of permanent rental assistance to those who cannot escape the rigors of poverty and homelessness. It does this through several methods.

Project-based rental assistance

The most traditional form of permanent subsidies is through the introduction of a public housing project. CCHAP provides two communities that serve this purpose.

The advantage to residents is that they are always near a residential manager who can help with emergency situations. It also ensures that behavioral problems by neighboring tenants are dealt with swiftly so that no resident has to endure anti-social behavior.

Anyone who is approved for this aid must live in one of the two housing projects administered by CCHAP. Aid is received in the form of subsidies, which permanently reduce the monthly rent cost.

Housing Choice Voucher Program

Many clients of the program prefer the flexibility offered by the Housing Choice Voucher Program. Instead of living in a dedicated community with other clients of the program, tenants are free to sign a lease with a private landlord. This could be just about anywhere in Clinton County.

The home can be an apartment or free standing structure. It can be in town or in the country. The stipulations are that the home should meet the needs of the family, it should be clean and safe, and most importantly, it should be at or below average market rate for Clinton County.

While the program is funded through the federal Section 8 program, a tenant does not have to choose a Section 8 home. They merely have to convince a private landlord to accept housing choice vouchers through the program. CCHAP can inspect the property to ensure that it meets acceptable guidelines. They can even negotiate terms of the lease with the landlords on behalf of a tenant.

Regardless of what the rent actually is, the tenant is only responsible for a portion that is roughly 30-40% of their monthly income. The voucher is redeemable by the landlord for the remainder. This is spelled out by the Housing Assistance Payment Contract which guarantees payment of rent through the program so long as both tenant and landlord comply with their responsibilities in the lease.

Due to limited funding, a waiting list can often exceed two years. Many clients find refuge in the project-based rental assistance program more quickly, though they are free to take advantage of a voucher once their name is next on the waiting list.

Supportive Housing

Elderly and disabled clients may be referred to one of the specialized communities created to meet their needs. Residents may call to obtain a referral to a properly matched agency with a vacancy.

How to apply

Applications are accepted in person at 24 Margaret Street, Suite 7 in Plattsburgh. Residents may also call the Clinton County Housing Assistance Program at 518-825-0800. A case manager will be assigned to cases to ensure that clients receive the care needed while they are preparing for one of the assistance programs.