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Regional Rental Role of Behavioral Health Worker |
REGIONAL RENTAL ASSISTANCE PROGRAM Overview The Regional Rental Assistance Program (RRAP) is a state funded rental assistance program for individuals with serious mental illness who are very low income. Authorized by Nebraska Revised Statute § 71-812(3) [LB40/2005], and funded through real estate documentary stamp taxes, its purpose is to assist adults with serious mental illness to access decent, safe, affordable housing. Each regional mental health authority in Nebraska is responsible for administering the program in its area. Region 6 Behavioral Healthcare, the regional mental health authority has contracted with Community Alliance Housing Management Services (CAHMS) to manage this program in its service area. This includes Cass, Dodge, Douglas, Sarpy, and Washington Counties in Nebraska. The Regional Rental Assistance Program is set up to operate much like the federal Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program operated by public housing authorities. Just as with the Section 8 program, there are multiple parties involved and partnering in the process:
Rental assistance and, in some cases, assistance with security or utility deposits is provided to assist an eligible individual or family to rent an apartment or house from a private landlord in the five county Region 6 area. The program participant enters into a lease with the private landlord and pays a portion of the monthly rent directly to his/her landlord. This amount is based upon the individual/family income. The Regional Rental Assistance program also enters into an agreement with the participating landlord, and pays the balance of the monthly rent to the landlord on the individual/family's behalf. The RRAP assisted client or tenant is responsible for finding his/her own suitable housing. Although CAHMS may provide the client a listing of landlords who have expressed interest in or who are currently participating in the program, it will not direct or place clients into specific units. 
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