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Frequently Asked Questions - FAQ's |
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Q: What does EDEN do? A: EDEN provides housing financial assistance for individuals and families who are low-income and have a qualifying disability.
Q: What areas do you serve? A: EDEN serves individuals and families who live in Cuyahoga County (Cleveland and surrounding suburbs) in Ohio.
Q: What types of housing assistance does EDEN provide? A: EDEN provides long term and temporary subsidized housing assistance; emergency funds for security deposits, rent to avoid eviction, utility assistance to avoid disconnection; moving expenses. EDEN also owns and manages nearly 90 scattered site properties throughout Cuyahoga County, including our “Housing First” Permanent Supportive Housing projects.
Q: How does someone qualify for assistance through EDEN? A: For most of our programs, applicants (or members of their family) must have a documented disability and have low or no income to qualify. EDEN’s programs have different sets of eligibility criteria. Please see our Programs page for more information.
Q: What qualifies as a disability? A: Each of our programs have different disability requirements, which must be documented by appropriate professionals. In some cases, applicants need to provide proof that they receive SSI or SSDI. EDEN’s mission is to serve individuals with disabilities, including but not limited to chronic and severe mental health disabilities, drug and alcohol abuse disorders and HIV/AIDS. Please see the Programs page for more information.
Q: How can someone apply for assistance through EDEN? A: Applications for our available programs are available on our Applications page on our website. For most of our programs, applicants will need to obtain assistance from a case manager in order to complete and submit application(s).
Q: Are any documents needed along with applications? A: In most cases, applications require copies of the following documents for all household members: birth certificates, social security cards, proof of income (or notarized statement of no income), photo identification, and documentation of disability. See our Programs page for more information.
Q: Can someone come to EDEN to pick up or drop off an application? A: In most cases, applicants should complete and submit their applications through a case manager who will then submit them to EDEN through their agency.
Q: Do you have a waiting list? A: Most EDEN programs have waiting lists. It can take up to five years or longer to access some programs depending upon the program and funding availability. Some programs may be available immediately. Please see our Programs page for more information.
Q: Do participants need a case manager or social worker in order to qualify for your programs? A: Yes, most EDEN programs require a case manager and some programs are only offered through specific agencies. Please refer to our Programs page for more information.
Q: Can case managers from the Ohio Department of Job and Family Services (ODJFS) refer their clients for EDEN programs? A: No, case managers from ODJFS do not refer clients to our programs. See our Programs page for more information.
Q: How much rent do participants pay while in an EDEN subsidized housing program? A: Participants/Households pay between 30-40% of their adjusted gross monthly income (which includes SSI, TANF, employment, child support, etc.) towards rent and utilities. There is no minimum rent requirement.
Q: Are people accepted into your programs without income? A: Yes, but EDEN needs to verify this information. Clients must sign a notarized statement of no income and, for some programs, EDEN performs 3rd Party Verification checks. Most EDEN programs require clients to work towards self-sufficiency goals, which means clients must apply for all eligible income sources and/or entitlements or be involved in an educational or training program.
Q: Where can participants live if they have a voucher for an EDEN program? A: For most of our programs, clients choose their own housing unit from a private landlord in Cuyahoga County who accepts a housing subsidy. EDEN also owns nearly 90 scattered site properties located in the city of Cleveland and throughout Cuyahoga County.
Q: Can a landlord refuse to accept a rental subsidy program? A: Yes, every landlord has the right to not accept rental subsidy vouchers. However, EDEN works with nearly 1,000 landlords throughout Cuyahoga County who accept EDEN vouchers and who will lease to tenants in our programs.
Q: Are landlords allowed to inquire about a person’s disability? A: No, Fair Housing Laws forbid landlords from asking or discriminating against people with disabilities. For more information regarding Fair Housing Law please click here.
Q: Can a significant other (not a spouse) live with someone enrolled in an EDEN program? A: Yes, clients may request to add a significant other adult to their household, however, this will not increase their approved number of bedrooms. The added tenant’s income will be counted toward the rent payment.
Q: Does EDEN offer any rent to own programs, or can EDEN help someone buy a home? A: No, EDEN does not have any services to assist in purchasing a home. If you are interested in home ownership, you may contact Cleveland Housing Network for more information.
Q: Are there other housing resources available in Cuyahoga County? A: Yes, please see our Links page for more information.
Q: What can a client do they have a complaint or concern about an EDEN employee? A: If you are a client currently enrolled in an EDEN program, please contact our main office at #216-961-9690 and ask for our Clients Rights Officer. For more information about Clients Rights, please click here.
Q: Can Case Managers send their clients to EDEN to fill out a housing application? A: No, case managers should assist their clients with completing and submitting all housing applications. If a client needs to come to the EDEN offices, EDEN appreciates that appointments be scheduled in advance with the appropriate staff.
Q: What happens when a participant’s income changes? A: Rent portions are affected by both increases and decreases to a household’s income. EDEN must be informed within 14 days of any income changes. Clients may be subject to retroactive paybacks or termination if income increases are not immediately reported.
Q: Can a client be hospitalized or incarcerated without losing their EDEN subsidy? A: It depends upon the program, but generally a client can be hospitalized (or admitted to an inpatient treatment center) for up to 90 days or incarcerated for up to 60 days without losing the EDEN subsidy.
Q: Do units subsidized by EDEN have to be inspected? A: Yes, most EDEN programs require initial and annual inspections. EDEN only subsidizes units that can pass HUD’s Housing Quality Standards (HQS), which are minimum requirements. Tenants cannot move into units or sign a lease until a unit passes HQS. In addition, tenants must attend annual re-certification appointments and must provide information about family composition, income, assets, and allowances and deductions in order to remain eligible for the program.
Q: What if a landlord isn’t properly maintaining the unit or is neglecting his or her duties as a landlord? A: Please refer to Cleveland Tenants Organization’s website for information regarding landlord’s duties regarding property maintenance. Tenants need to put the complaint in writing and submit it to the landlord (and submit a copy to EDEN). Landlords have up to thirty days to make all non-emergency repairs. If the landlord has not satisfactorily made the repairs after thirty days, a complaint inspection can be scheduled by calling EDEN. For emergency issues, such as no heat, no hot water, no electricity, a broken door or window or infestation of rodents or insects, tenants must contact their landlord immediately. If there is no response by their landlord, tenants must contact EDEN immediately.
Q: What if a tenant isn’t properly maintaining the unit or is neglecting his or her duties as a tenant? A: Please refer to Cleveland Tenants Organization’s website for information regarding tenant’s duties regarding property maintenance. Landlord’s should contact EDEN immediately if there are issues with tenant’s maintaining their unit.
Q: Can clients transfer their services to another case manager and/or agency? A: Yes, EDEN must be updated on all service transfers and cancellations.
Q: Where can I find more information about EDEN? A: Please feel free to browse our website and if you should need more information, please e-mail us at info@edeninc.org or call #216-961-9690.
Are you a Service providers interested in having EDEN give a presentation to your agency? please e-mail info@edeninc.org.
Are you a landlord currently or interested in participating in our programs? Visit our Landlord Info page.
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Quick FAQ's
Please refer to our Clients Rights page for more information.
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