Case Management & Housing
Eligibility
Please fully read the following Case Management & Housing statements and disclaimers regarding all services:
UCA provides rental/deposit assistance based on program eligibility requirements, available funding, and staff availability to take on new clients. UCA makes every effort to assist as many applicants as possible, however, if our funding is spent out or case managers have a full case load you may be referred to other agencies or asked to reapply at a later date.
UCA Case Management & Housing Services are designed to empower you on your path towards self-sufficiency, and to help you lead a self-determined life. Creating an appointment with UCA will allow us to determine your needs, assistance you may qualify for, and the duration of case management.
Note: Attending your appointment will not guarantee cash assistance from UCA or other partner agency. If payments are approved, most payments will take up to 14 days to process, and you may be asked to contribute a portion towards your deposit or rent.
Note: As a general rule, you will need to bring photo identifications, birth certificates, Social Security cards (or Tax Payer Identification Numbers), income statements, lease/eviction notices, landlord contact information, pertinent health information, pertinent employment information, pertinent education information, and pertinent housing information for each member of your household to expedite the assessment process. However, if you are missing documents please still attend your first meeting and the case manager reviewing your case will let you know if there are additional requirements. This is not a comprehensive list, and you may be required to supply additional documents for verification purposes.
Note: If you miss your appointment, or you need to reschedule your appointment, attaining a new or prompt appointment is not guaranteed.
Note: All services and payments are not guaranteed, and depend on: application, documentation, eligibility, available assistance, and compliance with case management, goals setting, and goals completion.
For all new clients seeking assistance, we ask that you first complete the following eligibility survey (Surveymonkey link below) for UCA staff to determine your needs and eligibility. Afterwards you will hear from a UCA staff member by phone or email within 1 week, whether or not you are eligible, would be better served by another agency, or selected for an appointment. (All information entered into the surveys will be kept confidential.)
Surveys will only be collected on the 1st and 3rd Mondays from 8:30-7:00 pm. If you have missed these survey times please try back during the next collection period.
ELIGIBILITY SURVEY LINK: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/G9GNQCH
How to Survive a Financial Crisis
“Poverty is no disgrace, but it’s a great inconvenience.”
Your income may drop sharply if you experience job loss, divorce, illness, accident, fire, burglary, or other life-changing events. It may not be possible to fully replace the amount of income you lost in the crisis, and it may take months or even years to fully recover. Fortunately, there are many safety nets than can soften the effects of a financial crisis.
Safety nets that can help prevent a financial crisis
- Emergency savings (from 3 to 9 months of expenses)
- Short/long-term disability
- Renter’s insurance
- Health insurance
- Subsidized rent
- Life insurance
- Tax return
- Checking account
- Auto insurance
- Retirement account
- Informed decision-making, the most important safety net because it determines how you will prioritize expenses if you face a crisis
What not to do during a financial crisis
What can you do when you are already in a crisis and have few, if any, pre-planned safety nets? Before we talk about what you can do, let’s give some examples of what not to do.
- Do not continue to spend based on previous income
- Do not apply for payday loans or title loans—99% of the time, this only prolongs the inevitable or increases your vulnerability going forward
- Do not ignore creditors or legal proceedings
- Do not spend money on food
- Do not buy clothing or furniture
- Do not pay medical bills, unless it somehow keeps you from gaining vital medical services or medications
- Do not listen to uninformed friends, family, associates, etc.
- Do not assume anything (e.g., “my bank won’t lend to me”; “the hospital will not work with me”; “I’m not eligible for any benefits”; “my landlord will not work with me”; “my creditor will not change conditions”; etc.)
- Do not spend money on utilities, unless they are attached to your rent and can cause eviction
- Do not continue to pour your money into a losing economic battle (e.g., memberships, subscriptions, high-rent, storage units, car loan, etc.)
- Do not put your money where it is at risk (e.g., deposited into an account that is being garnished; under your mattress; full paycheck/benefit check in your purse or wallet; etc.)
- Do not ignore benefit review processes—this might actually trigger an economic crisis if you are on fixed income or a very tight budget and lose essential services
What to do during a financial crisis
- Do connect with professionals that can guide you in your decision-making process. This is critical when timing is of the essence—good advice can make all the difference.
- Do apply for or update any and all benefits right away (you want to get the clock started on the approval process)
- Do communicate with your creditors and fully participate in the negotiation/legal process of debt recuperation
- Do prioritize expenses for services that are not easily accessible within the community (e.g., Clothing, Food> Health> Utilities> Transportation> Housing)
- Do re-read contractual agreements so you know what your obligations are before you talk to creditors
- Do connect with employment services to help strategize on your return to work
- Do go through the full financial and social recovery process
Summary: How to survive a financial crisis
- Stay informed—this will empower your decision-making
- Focus on sustainable changes
- Use limited funding on expenses that are necessary, and will most likely not be met through a community resource
- Spend most of your time generating sustainable income and benefit opportunities; then spend the rest of your time reducing expenses
- Follow through with benefit applications/reviews, legal proceedings, etc.
Healthy recovery from a financial crisis often means that we must go through growing pains, and suffer some social and financial setbacks, before we fully recover financially. Remember that additional debt and lack of planning will only delay or intensify your crisis.
Tenant Education
Tenant Education & Mediation Strategies
UCA’s Landlord Mediation Program assists with Housing Court/Eviction Mediation, by assisting tenants and landlords with disputes to prevent evictions and homelessness, of which greatly disrupts the lives of individuals and families, as well as negatively impacts the credit and rental histories of tenants.
In addition to helping with homelessness prevention, Mediators are also able to help resolve many disputes ranging from having repairs made in a timely manner, or helping to create payment plans or move-out dates. Free Tenants Rights Classes are also offered by Mediators.
Eviction Court Calendars:
- Tuesdays, 8:30 am, the West Jordan Courthouse (8080 South Redwood Road, West Jordan)
- Wednesdays, 1:30 pm, the Salt Lake City Courthouse (450 South State Street, Salt Lake City)
- Fridays, 1:30 pm, the Salt Lake Courthouse (450 South State Street, Salt Lake City)
You can reach UCA’s Landlord and Tenant Mediator, Heather Lester via e-mail at heather.lester@utahca.org or by phone at 801-214-3109.
Fair Hearing Request
Upon entering Utah Community Action facilities, you have a right to be treated with dignity and impartiality. You also have the right to apply for UCA program services without the fear of being denied based on the following protected statuses: race, color, religion, national origin, gender identity, and/or disability. If you feel you have been denied services based on your right to fair treatment you may appeal the decision and request a fair hearing by submitting the form below.
Rental Listings
Browse these local listings to find available rental apartments and homes:
MISSION STATEMENT
The mission of the Utah Community Action Case Management & Housing program is to facilitate housing stability by empowering those in poverty to find their path to self-sufficiency. This process includes assessing need, providing timely interventions and resources, empowering families and individuals with transferable skills and knowledge, and reducing intergenerational poverty. To accomplish these outcomes, the Case Management & Housing program has established the following goals:
- Provide housing stabilization services by assisting families, seniors, and disabled individuals in obtaining/maintaining safe and affordable housing.
- Facilitate timely social and financial interventions by way of case management direct-client service, and community referrals.
- Raise awareness of tenant rights and responsibilities, financial literacy and employment-based knowledge.
- Empower clients towards self-sufficiency and increased community participation.