Frequently Asked Questions
Q: What does RPH pay for?
A: RPH pays for short-term housing up to 90 days (180 days depending on eligibility) and food access with pre-approved RPH providers.
Q: What is meant by “food access”?
A: RPH providers must make provisions to provide food to every resident at no cost to the resident. Examples of food access can include, but is not limited to: 1) Staff preparing meals for residents in a kitchen, 2) Providing access to food/groceries that the residents may cook for themselves, or 3) assistance with resident application for food stamps.
Q: What type of housing is provided through RPH?
A: The type of housing varies with each program. Examples include residential-style housing, apartments, and shelters with dorm-style living. Residents may have shared bedrooms.
Q: Will RPH pay for my rent or mortgage if I find my own apartment or house?
A: No. RPH only provides funding to approved RPH providers.
Q: Will RPH pay to house my spouse, children, parent(s), or other family members?
A: No. RPH is only available to individuals who meet eligibility criteria.
Q: I need residential substance abuse treatment. Can I receive that at an RPH program?
A: Yes. Some RPH programs are accredited (GARR, CARF, DCH, OR JCAHO) substance abuse treatment providers.
RPH ELIGIBILITY
Q: Who is eligible for RPH placement?
A: Individuals who are on STATE PAROLE/PROBATION with the Georgia Department of Community Supervision (DCS) and do not have a valid residence plan. Active participants in ACCOUNTABILITY COURTS (Felony Drug, Mental Health, Veterans, or Family Treatment) are also eligible if court criteria for homelessness has been met.
Q: I have been convicted of a felony, but my period of parole/probation has ended. Am I eligible for RPH?
A: No. Individuals must be under ACTIVE supervision of DCS or the Accountability Courts of Georgia (Felony Drug, Mental Health, Veterans, or Family Courts).
Q: I am under federal supervision or have been released from a federal institution. Am I eligible for RPH?
A: No. Individuals under federal supervision are not eligible.
Q: I am under misdemeanor probation or private probation supervision. Am I eligible for RPH?
A: No. Individuals under misdemeanor or private probation are not eligible.
Q: I am on parole/probation in another state. Can I move to Georgia and be placed in RPH?
A: No. RPH is not available to individuals under supervision in another state.
Q: I have a mental health diagnosis. Am I eligible for RPH?
A: Yes, if you have a GDC mental health level of 3 or lower.
Q: I have an HIV/AIDS diagnosis. Am I eligible for RPH?
A: Yes.
Q: Is RPH available to individuals who require handicap/wheelchair-accessible housing?
A: Yes, some RPH providers are handicap-accessible.
Q: I am a registrable sex offender. Am I eligible for RPH?
A: Some sex offenders may be eligible. An individual must be classified as SORBB (Sexual Offender Registration Review Board) LEVEL 1 or 2 to be eligible. Individuals classified as Sexually Dangerous Predators are not eligible for RPH.
RPH REQUESTS AND PLACEMENTS
Q: Can an individual who is in a state prison be released directly to an RPH facility?
A: Yes, if the individual will be on active Georgia parole/probation after release from custody. The individual’s counselor can initiate the RPH assessment prior to release.
Q: Can an individual who is in a county jail be released directly to an RPH facility?
A: Yes, if the individual will be on active Georgia parole/probation after release from custody. The individual’s Community Supervision Officer (CSO) can initiate the RPH assessment prior to release.
Q: I am a family member/friend of an individual who is incarcerated. Can I request RPH placement for them?
A: No. RPH requests must come from DCS, Department of Corrections (GDC), or Accountability Court staff. Ask the individual’s officer, counselor, or case manager to submit an RPH request.
Q: I am under DCS supervision and am homeless or about to become homeless. How can I get placed at an RPH facility?
A: Notify your Community Supervision Officer (CSO) of your situation. Your CSO can submit an RPH request for you.
Q: I am eligible for RPH. Do I have a choice on where I go?
A: DCS does not guarantee placement in any specific program/area. Placements are based on the needs of the individual and availability of beds. However, DCS will attempt to accommodate requests to be placed in a specific RPH program or remain in a specific geographic area, if possible.
Q: Will I have to follow rules/regulations while in an RPH program?
A: Yes. Each RPH provider has rules and regulations regarding curfews, basic house rules, and expectations of behavior. Recovery residences will have requirements regarding substance abuse treatment. All rules and regulations will be explained to residents upon their arrival and provided to them in writing.
Q: I am an employee of DCS, the Department of Corrections, or the Accountability Courts of Georgia. How can I request RPH placement for an individual under my supervision?
A: Your request must be submitted through the online forms available to DCS, GDC, and CACJ employees. Please email housing@dcs.ga.gov if you need assistance regarding linkage to the appropriate form.
HOW DO I BECOME AN RPH PROVIDER?
Q: I am interested in becoming an active provider. How do I apply?
A: We are currently only accepting RPH applications for providers who are willing and able to provide housing to sex offedners who have proximity restrictions.
If you are interested, you must:
Have a current lease or deed for said property, AND
Provide documentation from the Sheiff's office where the property is located stating the property meets proximity restrictions.
Q: What are the requirements for RPH properties?
A: RPH applicants must provide a deed or current lease for their property/properties. If property/properties are leased, verification from the property owner(s) approving the use of each property for RPH is required. Applicants must also provide verification that each property is zoned appropriately according to local zoning and housing standards.
Please refer to Section 13 (Habitability Standards) of the RPH Guidelines for all standards regarding bedrooms/bathrooms, square footage, living conditions, and safety.
Q: How do I know if my property is zoned correctly?
A: Every locality (county and/or city) has separate zoning codes which can differ based on your property location, zoning type, services offered, number of residents, or other factors. Contact your local planning/zoning authority to determine the specific requirements for your property/properties. The RPH Zoning Compliance Form is available for download on the DCS Housing website.
RPH applicants must obtain written verification of zoning by providing a signed RPH Zoning Compliance Form, OR a letter from your local zoning/planning office on their official letterhead confirming that the property/properties (addresses must be included) are properly zoned for RPH purposes.
Q: Do I have to be a nonprofit organization to apply?
A: No. RPH applicants can be nonprofit, for-profit, or sole proprietors.
Q: What paperwork will I need to submit for my organization?
A: Depending on your organization type, you will need to submit the following:
Nonprofit organizations must provide their 501(c)(3) tax-exemption determination letter and registration with the Secretary of State.
For-profit organizations must provide registration with the Secretary of State.
Sole proprietors must register with the Georgia Department of Revenue as a sole proprietor and obtain a business license.
Q: What compensation will I receive?
A: $750 per person per month, depending on the individual’s tier level. All invoices are created and processed electronically through Google Forms.
Q: Am I required to have a house manager?
A: No, unless your facility houses 10 or more sex offenders. If your facility houses 9 or fewer sex offenders, on-call staff must be available to residents on a 24/7 basis.
Q: I and/or members of my staff have previously been convicted of a felony. Can I become an RPH provider?
A: Yes, in some cases. Please refer to Section 5 of the RPH Guidelines for requirements regarding background checks for grantees and staff. RPH applicants and staff members with prior convictions for sexual offenses are not eligible.
Q: I would like to provide housing for sex offenders. Are there any additional requirements?
A: Yes. Please refer to Section 10 of the RPH Guidelines.
Q: Where can I download the RPH Application?
A: The RPH Application is revised as needed prior to each application cycle, and thus is not available for download. The application is provided to applicants once the initial paperwork is received.