One Stop Shopping Housing Program

About the Program

Category: Human Services (Best in Category)

Year: 2009

In 2008, due to a housing shortage, Uintah County committed to help its low income residents find affordable housing. As the county talked with these residents, it realized that people were confused as they traveled from office to office trying to obtain information about various housing assistance programs. They were frustrated by the size and repetition of applications they were asked to fill out at each stop, often to find in the end that they were not eligible for the programs. In response to these frustrations, Uintah County opened a “One Stop Shopping Housing Program.” Here a counselor, who knows the various housing programs and is familiar with the qualifications, can help connect people with the best available programs. The counselor is able to do credit checks, rental histories, and work with landlords referring tenants who fit their criteria. Program participants are also referred to financial management classes and credit counseling programs.