RPH Frequently Asked Questions (Full List)

RPH pays for short-term transitional housing (up to 6 months) and food access with pre-approved RPH providers.

RPH providers must make provisions to provide food to every resident at no cost to the resident during the RPH period. Examples of food access can include, but is not limited to: 1) Staff preparing meals for residents in a kitchen, 2) Providing food/groceries that the residents may cook for themselves, 3) assistance with resident application for food stamps.  Provision for food must be in place on a resident’s first day in the program.

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.

No. RPH only provides funding for the individual placed with the approved RPH provider.  The monthly stipend is paid directly to the RPH provider. Funding is not available for spouses, children, or other family members of individuals placed through RPH.

No. RPH is only available to the individual who is under state probation or parole supervision or the participant in an approved felony accountability court, who also meets eligibility criteria.

Yes. Some RPH programs are substance abuse treatment providers accredited by GARR (Georgia Association of Recovery Residences), CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Recovery Facilities), DCH (Department of Community Health), or JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations, also known as The Joint Commission).

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.

No. Individuals must be under ACTIVE supervision of DCS or the Accountability Courts of Georgia (Felony Drug, Mental Health, Veterans, or Family Courts).

No. Individuals under federal supervision are not eligible.

No. RPH is only available to individuals under DCS supervision in Georgia.

Yes, if you have a mental health level of 3 or lower, according to GDC criteria.

Yes.

Yes, some RPH providers are handicap-accessible.

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.

Yes, if the individual will be on active Georgia parole/probation after release from custody. The individual’s case manager can initiate the RPH assessment prior to release.

Yes, if the individual will be on active Georgia parole/probation after release from custody, which can be validated through the agency’s case management system. The individual’s Community Supervision Officer (CSO) can initiate the RPH assessment prior to release.

No. RPH requests must come from DCS, Department of Corrections (GDC), or Accountability Court staff. Ask the individual’s DCS supervision officer, GDC counselor/case manager, or court coordinator to submit an RPH request.

Notify your Community Supervision Officer (CSO) of your situation. Your CSO can submit an RPH request for you.

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.

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.

Your request must be submitted through the online forms available to DCS, GDC, and CACJ employees. Please email [email protected] if you need assistance regarding linkage to the appropriate form.

There are two application cycles per year, one in Spring and one in Fall. The schedule for the application cycle is as follows:

• March (Spring) and September (Fall) - Complete the Intent to Apply form. The DCS Housing website will be updated with a link to the form from March 1 - March 31 and September 1 - September 30.
• April (Spring) and October (Fall) - Attend an RPH Application Training Workshop. Several training sessions will be held throughout the state, so you can attend the one most convenient to you. A webinar will also be available if you cannot attend in person. Registration links will be provided to you via email after you submit your Intent to Apply.
• May (Spring) and November (Fall) - Submit your RPH application. The deadline is the final day of the month.

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.

Every locality (county and/or city) has 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.

No. RPH applicants can be nonprofit, for-profit, or sole proprietors.

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.

Substance abuse recovery residences must submit proof of accreditation with one of the following:  GARR (Georgia Association of Recovery Residences), DCH (Department of Community Health/DATEP), CARF (Commission on Accreditation of Rehabilitation Facilities), or JCAHO (Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations).

$750 - $850 per person (depending on the individual’s mental health levell) per month for up to six (6) months.

All invoices are created, signed, and processed electronically through Adobe Sign. Funds are dispersed via direct deposit.

No, unless it is a requirement of a Recovery Residence accrediting organization, or if you intend to house 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.  Within any RPH facility, a person in this position could be beneficial in assisting the grantee with the most efficient operation of the program.

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.

Yes. Please refer to Section 10 of the RPH Guidelines.

The RPH Application is revised as needed prior to each application cycle, and thus is not available for download. The application packet is provided to applicants during the RPH Application Workshops.  Completed applications can then be mailed, hand-delivered, or scanned/emailed in PDF format during the appropriate month.