FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQS)
1. What federal program was used to purchase SWEHLA HOUSE?
SWEHLA HOUSE was purchased in 1995 and renovated with a grant provided by the City of Houston and Harris County through the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Specifically, HUD categorized our grant under the federal section titled "Housing Opportunity for People with AIDS (HOPWA)".
2. What were the primary requirements for SWEHLA HOUSE under HOPWA?
The primary covenants of our grant were that (1) our tenants be HIV+, (2) their rent not exceed 30% of their income, and (3) that we adhere to (1) and (2) for a period of 10 years. Our 10-year grant covenant restrictions expired in August, 2005, thereby allowing CEF the legal discretion to sell or rent units at SWEHLA HOUSE to whomever it chooses. However, it is the sincere commitment of our board, as it was that our original founder, to continue our mission of providing affordable, long-term, permanent housing for persons with HIV/AIDS as long as there is a need.
3. As a resident of SWEHLA HOUSE, how much will I pay in rent?
A resident’s monthly rent will be determined using a sliding scale, calculated based on your total gross monthly income. Total gross monthly income includes all sources of income, i.e., social security disability, food stamps, pension benefits, etc. CEF does not provide financial aid.
4. How can I lease a unit at SWEHLA HOUSE?
SWEHLA HOUSE only accepts referrals from social service agencies that provide case management. Therefore, a Case Manager is required as one of the prerequisites to be considered as a possible candidate for residency at SWEHLA HOUSE. In addition, candidates must:
Have no felonies within the last 5 years,
Have a correct source of verifiable, monthly income,
Possess the mental and physical capacity to "conduct their own affairs" and to live independently,
Upon acceptance as a new resident, you must be able to successfully pass a drug test,
Be single, since the apartments are efficiency units.
SWEHLA HOUSE has a zero-tolerance policy with regard to the use, possession or trafficking of illegal controlled substances.
In addition:
Applicant must first call for a pre-screen telephone interview at: (713) 528-0037
Email us info@community-endowment-foundation.org
If we are not in, please leave your telephone number and a convenient time to call you.
No walk-ins are allowed without a scheduled appointment.
5. Why is a Case Manager required for me to live at SWEHLA HOUSE?
First, SWEHLA HOUSE only advertises through agencies that provide Case Management and therefore a potential resident would not be aware of a vacancy at SWEHLA HOUSE unless he/she is affiliated with a case manager system.
Second, the Case Manager can provide our residents with psycho-social services which extend beyond the scope of our housing mission. Case Management services include but are not limited to: (1) drug and alcohol abuse treatment, (2) counseling, (3) mental health assessment, (4) nutritional services, (5) in-service housing care when required, and (6) assistance in gaining access to local, state and federal government benefits and services.
6. How long can I reside at SWEHLA HOUSE?
SWEHLA HOUSE is a permanent, long-term, affordable housing complex exclusively for persons living with HIV/AIDS; therefore the terms of the tenancy generally reside with the resident. However, SWEHLA HOUSE does maintain a stringent, but fair set of Rules and Regulations that are incorporated into the lease which must be adhered to at all times. Each potential resident will be provided these Rules and Regulations to live at SWEHLA HOUSE and will be asked to review and acknowledge their ability to comply with these Rules and Regulations before being considered for residency.
7. Who are the Case Management agencies that make up the contact list for SWEHLA HOUSE?
An abbreviated list of our case management agencies are: AIDS Foundation Houston, Access Care of Coastal Texas, Catholic Charities, Avenue 360 Health & Wellness, Fort Bend Family Health Center, Coalition for the Homeless, Montrose Counseling Center, New Hope Counseling Ctr., Legacy Community Health Services, St. Hope Foundation and Thomas Street Clinic, etc.
8. How large of the apartments?
All of our units are approximately 500 sq. ft. and are classified as zero-bedroom efficiency units.
9. Tell me more about the furnishing of the apartment units.
All units are unfurnished, but do come fully equipped with separate central air and heat units, full-size refrigerator and stove. In addition, all appliances are electric.
10. Do you maintain a waiting list?
No, since the turnover rate at SWEHLA HOUSE is relatively low, maintaining a waiting list would be unproductive.
11. What makes SWEHLA HOUSE unique?
The unique nature of SWEHLA HOUSE rests with the fact that it provides long-term housing that is (1) safe, (2) secure, (3) affordable and (4) permanent.
12. Does SWEHLA HOUSE work with other HIV/AIDS housing agencies?
Yes. When a vacancy occurs, we advertise to other HIV/AIDS housing agencies (see agencies under #7), which provide case management, as well as agencies that provide transitional and emergency shelter housing. The purpose of this collaboration is to graduate individuals from transitional and emergency shelter housing to permanent housing, in an effort to provide them with stability and self-sufficiency.
13. Are there more long-term permanent apartment units being built or renovated currently?
Currently, the primary focus of the City of Houston is providing rental/mortgage assistance subsidies for people living with AIDS. While this is a noble gesture, it is temporary in nature and does not adequately address the fact that persons with AIDS are living longer and need permanent, affordable, long-term housing.
14. Why is permanent, long-term housing so important?
According to the 2016 Houston Area HIV/AIDS Needs Assessment, there is a large percentage of persons living with HIV/AIDS who are currently homeless or have been homeless within the past 12 months. As previously stated, proper medical compliance requires stable housing.
In addition, those that reside in HIV emergency shelters or transitional housing facilities, can only reside at these facilities for a short period. Therefore, they must seek alternative housing elsewhere, thereby creating a further instability in their lives.
