Long Term Rental Assistance Program Frequently Asked Questions

When can I apply for the LTRA program?

Applications for the LTRA program are only accepted during the open application period. The application period is open depending on the number of vacancies available in the program. This period may vary from year to year.

How will I know when the application period is open?

Before opening the application period for the LTRA program, the City of Miami will hold public hearings to announce the application dates. The City will also places ads in the major printed news media in Miami-Dade County. Also, the City of Miami will inform all Ryan White Title I Case Managers and also provide them with applications for their respective clients. Please check either in your local newspaper, or with your Case Manager to determine when to submit your application for the LTRA Waitlist.

How do I qualify for the LTRA program?

Applicants must: be low-income residents of Miami-Dade County; meet the documentation requirements of citizenship or immigration status; and, have received an AIDS diagnosis.

What documentations do I need to submit with my application?

Applicants must have their doctors fill out the Medical Eligibility Verification Form (provided with the application). The Medical Form must clearly state that the client has AIDS. Both, the application and the Medical Eligibility Verification Form must be submitted together.

How are applicants selected for the Waitlist?

A random lottery process will be utilized to select applicants for placement on the LTRA Waitlist. Only applications postmarked by the established deadline date will be placed into the lottery pool for the random drawing.

How will I know if I am on the Waitlist or not?

All applicants, whether they are on the waitlist or not, will be informed in writing of the status of their applications.

How do I find out what current waitlist number is being served?

If you want information on the current applicant being serviced, please call the Department’s information phone line at 305-416-1927, dial the option for your preferred language, and then listen for option 6 which provides information on the HOPWA program. Here, you will find the most-up-to-date information on the numbers being called off of that waitlist.

How long can I be on the Waitlist for?

There’s no time limit for applicants to be assigned to agency for intake. As soon as vacancies become open, the next available applicant on the waitlist will be sent a letter assigning them to a HOPWA agency for their initial intake.

What should I do if I want to update my address?

If you have moved, and need to update your mailing address, please call or send the information to Natasha Bordes at (305) 416-2092 or through email at: nbordes@miamigov.com

What is my primary responsibility in the HOPWA LTRA program?

You’re number one responsibility as a LTRA client is to pay your portion of the rent on time, and to make sure that you maintain your housing unit in good conditions. Failure to pay your monthly portion of the rent is a Class II Violation and may lead to program termination. Failure to maintain unit in good condition will result in a permanent Class II violation. Two subsequent permanent Class II violations will result in program termination.

What should I do if I’m having problem with my landlord?

If you have any issues with your landlord, regardless of their nature, you must contact your Housing Specialist first and fully explain the issue. The primary role of your Housing Specialist is to act as an advocate on your behalf, as long as you remain in good standing with the HOPWA program.

What should I do if I want to move?

If you want to move, you must fill out a Move out Request 90 days prior to the expiration of your lease. You must locate a unit prior to the expiration of your lease. If you fail to locate a unit by the expiration of your lease, you must renew your current lease (unless you can show some extenuating circumstance which compels you to move).

How often do I need to keep in touch with my Housing Specialist?

You must maintain monthly contact with your Housing Specialist. If you fail to contact your Housing Specialist before the end of a given month, this will result in a Class II violation.

How often do I need to recertify?

You need to recertify once a year at the expiration of your current lease. If you are going to remain in the same unit, you need to get a new lease with your landlord 60 days prior to the expiration of your current lease. If you plan to move, you must begin the process 90 days prior to the termination of your lease by submitting a Request to Move form with your Housing Specialist.

Am I allowed to have somebody move in with me?

Prior to allowing anyone who is not included on your executed lease into your unit, you must contact your Housing Specialist. Your Housing Specialist will require that you submit pertinent documentation on the individual in question and must formally include this potential household member on the client’s application. If you allow any individual to move into your unit without prior authorization from your Housing Specialist, this will result in a Class I violation and immediate termination from the HOPWA LTRA program.

What are rights and responsibilities are as a tenant and a client?

Every year during your recertification, your Housing Specialist will go over and provide you a copy of the HOPWA Client Handbook. This book contains all the points covered here, as well as additional topics and issues. Please take the time to familiarize yourself with the Handbook and to adhere to all the policies covered in the book. Remember, at every recertification, you will be required to sign a document stating that you understand and will abide by all the policies listed in the HOPWA Client Handbook.

How do I list my property with the HOPWA Program?

You can list your properties in different ways: You can go to miamidade.housing.gov and follow the steps for “landlord” on how to list your property. Or you can either fax the information to Natasha Bordes at (305) 400-5105 or email at: nbordes@miamigov.com. Please make sure that include the full address, the asking price, number of bedrooms and bathrooms, and the contact person and phone number.

What should I do if the client is not paying their portion of the rent?

If a tenant fails to pay their rent by the designated date in the lease, please contact the client’s Housing Specialist immediately. You must also provide proof in writing that the client has not paid their rental portion and to also specify the month in question. If a client fails to pay their rental portion, they will receive a program violation and may be subject to termination from the program.

What happens if the tenant’s unit fails an inspection?

If the tenant’s unit fails a recertification inspection, a copy of the inspection will be sent to the landlord and the client highlighting the issues that need to be addressed. The landlord will also receive a letter from the agency advising that the inspector will return for a follow up inspection within 30 days of the failed inspection. If the unit fails a second inspection, the property will go into abatement and the landlord will forfeit the City of Miami’s rental assistance. The client may also be required to move out of the unit. Landlords can request an extension to fix the unit after the first failed inspection. The request must be submitted in writing to the addressed provided in the inspection form.

What should I do if I haven’t received the City of Miami’s rental assistance for a particular month?

If you have not received the rental payment within 14 days after the first of the month in question, you must draft a letter to the tenant’s Housing Specialist requesting a stop payment and re-issuance of the payment. The Housing Specialist will forward the letter to the City of Miami’s Finance Dept. The Finance dept will re-issue payment directly to the address submitted on the W-9 form.

What if the tenant has individuals not included on the lease living in the unit?

If you suspect that your tenant has breached a lease by having additional people living in the unit, you must document this in writing and also provide independent witnesses (such as neighbors) that will verify and confirm the violation. If a tenant allows individuals not included on the lease to move into the unit without prior authorization from their Housing Specialist, they will be giving a Class I violation and immediately terminated from the HOPWA program.

Long Term Rental Assistance Program Frequently Asked Questions

For People Interested in Applying:

For Current Waitlist Applicants:

For Current Clients:

For Current Landlords: