Policy Statement
Family Promise of Puget Sound (FPOPS) is dedicated to guiding families and individuals out of homelessness and into long-term, independent housing stability. FPOPS operates using a Progressive Engagement framework, providing the right level of rental subsidy and case management support for only as long as necessary, while empowering households to transition to independence as their capacity grows.
This policy establishes objective, trauma-informed, and standardized guidelines for evaluating a program participant’s readiness to Move On from intensive supportive housing subsidies (such as Rapid Rehousing or Permanent Supportive Housing) to unsubsidized market-rate housing, permanent affordable housing, or independent lease-holding. FPOPS enforces a Voluntary Move-On Strategy: readiness evaluations are collaborative planning tools, not arbitrary mechanisms for premature program termination. This approach ensures housing stability, prevents returns to homelessness, and strategically recycles intensive housing subsidies to serve higher-need households within Pierce County’s Continuum of Care (CoC). PurposeThe purpose of this policy is to:
Establish Standardized Readiness Indicators: Define objective, non-discriminatory criteria to assess when a household can successfully maintain housing with reduced or zero financial and case management assistance.
Operationalize Progressive Engagement and Move-On Strategies: Facilitate smooth, planned transitions from subsidized, case-managed housing to long-term independence or lighter-touch community supports.
Ensure Compliance with HUD and CoC Standards: Align FPOPS operations with HUD Continuum of Care (24 CFR Part 578) and Emergency Solutions Grants (24 CFR Part 576) regulations, Housing First principles, and Pierce County Coordinated Entry (CE) Move-On protocols.
Promote Participant Autonomy: Ensure that transitions off subsidies are collaborative, person-centered, and supported by a robust post-exit housing retention plan.
ScopeThis policy applies to all housing case managers, housing specialists, program directors, and administrative staff operating FPOPS supportive housing initiatives in Pierce County. It applies to enrolled households receiving shallow or deep rental assistance, transitional housing, or ongoing case management.
Guiding PrinciplesProgressive Engagement: Support is scaled based on individual household needs. Financial aid and case management step down gradually as household income and self-sufficiency increase.
Housing First Alignment: Move-on assessments evaluate readiness for subsidy step-down or exit, never eligibility for initial housing entry. Readiness is never a prerequisite for receiving initial housing support.
Voluntary and Person-Centered: Transitioning off supportive housing is conducted with full participant involvement, transparent financial modeling, and informed consent.
Non-Punitive and Anti-Discriminatory: Evaluations are grounded in objective housing stability metrics, not behavioral compliance, lifestyle choices, or personal bias.
DefinitionsMove-On Strategy: A structured process to transition participants who no longer need intensive supportive services or deep rental subsidies out of supportive housing programs into unsubsidized market housing, mainstream housing vouchers (e.g., Housing Choice Vouchers), or affordable housing.
Unsubsidized Housing: Permanent housing where the tenant pays the full rent without ongoing government or non-profit rental assistance.
Progressive Engagement Step-Down: The gradual reduction of rental subsidy percentages (e.g., from 100 percent covered rent to 70 percent, 50 percent, 25 percent, and 0 percent) paired with decreasing case management frequency as tenant independence increases.
Move-On Assessment Criteria and Readiness IndicatorsReadiness to transition to unsubsidized or independent housing is evaluated across four core domains:
A. Financial Sustainability and Income RatioEarned or Unearned Income: Household demonstrates reliable, ongoing income (employment, SSI/SSDI, child support, or public benefits) sufficient to cover full rent, utilities, and essential household expenses.
Rent Burden Threshold: Total housing costs (rent plus basic utilities) ideally do not exceed 30 percent to 50 percent of total gross household income, or the household has demonstrated a consistent ability to manage a higher rent burden through budget planning.
Emergency Savings: Household has established basic emergency savings or a financial buffer to manage unexpected costs.
B. Rent and Lease Compliance HistoryTimely Payment History: Household has consistently paid their tenant-share of rent on time (or adhered to a repayment agreement) for at least 3 to 6 consecutive months.
Lease Compliance: Household maintains good standing with the property owner/landlord, with no active cure/quit notices, severe lease violations, or unresolved property damage issues.
C. Independent Living and Home ManagementUnit Maintenance: Household keeps the home in a safe, sanitary state without requiring intensive staff oversight or intervention.
Utility Management: Household maintains active utility accounts (electric, gas, water) in their name without threat of disconnection.
Medication and Healthcare Self-Management: Household members independently manage healthcare and medical routines (or have external home-health supports established).
D. Community Connections and Support SystemsMainstream Services Connected: Household is successfully enrolled in non-housing community resources (e.g., SNAP, Medicaid, childcare subsidies, local food banks, community health centers).
Informal Supports: Household has identified personal, family, or community support networks to assist during future life stressors.
Step-by-Step Move-On Assessment Procedure Step 1: Periodic Housing Stability Review (Quarterly)Every 90 days, the Housing Case Manager and participant complete a standardized Housing Stability and Financial Plan. This review tracks income growth, budget balance, and progress toward self-sufficiency goals.
Step 2: Formal Move-On Assessment Matrix EvaluationWhen a participant demonstrates stability across the core indicators, the Case Manager conducts a formal Move-On Readiness Assessment. If the evaluation reveals budget gaps or instability in key domains, case management assistance and subsidies are maintained or readjusted; the household is not forced off support.
Step 3: Progressive Subsidy Step-Down PlanIf readiness is confirmed, a tailored 3-to-6-Month Step-Down Schedule is established:
In Months 1 and 2, FPOPS covers 50 percent of rent while the tenant pays 50 percent, and case management transitions from bi-weekly to monthly.
In Months 3 and 4, FPOPS covers 25 percent of rent while the tenant pays 75 percent, with focus shifting to aftercare budgeting and community referrals.
In Months 5 and 6, the tenant assumes 100 percent of rent payment, followed by a final pre-exit inspection and graduation review.
Step 4: Aftercare and Exit StrategyPrior to formal exit, staff verify that the lease agreement transitions fully into the tenant’s name (if previously sub-leased or co-signed). Staff provide a Graduation Information Packet containing emergency rental assistance contacts, community resource directories, landlord mediation resources, and FPOPS aftercare contact information. The household is enrolled in FPOPS Aftercare and Housing Retention Support for voluntary follow-up check-ins at 30, 60, 90, and 180 days post-exit.
Roles and Responsibilities Role: Housing Case ManagersResponsibilities: Conduct quarterly reviews and formal Move-On assessments; build budget models with participants; implement step-down plans; coordinate aftercare.
Role: Housing Specialists / Landlord LiaisonsResponsibilities: Assist with lease transitions; mediate with property owners during subsidy step-downs; confirm lease compliance.
Role: Program DirectorsResponsibilities: Review and approve all Move-On plans and financial step-down agreements; ensure adherence to HUD and CoC progressive engagement guidelines.
Role: Chief Executive Officer (CEO)Responsibilities: Oversee programmatic outcomes, CoC alignment, and overall compliance with federal, state, and local housing grants.
Confidentiality and Data PrivacyAll assessment data, financial disclosures, and Move-On tracking documents are maintained securely in accordance with HIPAA, the Privacy Act, Washington State privacy laws, and FPOPS HMIS Data Governance policies. Information is logged in HMIS using appropriate HUD exit destination codes upon successful program completion.
Policy Review and RevisionThis policy will be reviewed annually by FPOPS leadership and the CEO to reflect updated Pierce County CoC standards, Fair Housing legislation, and organizational best practices.