SECURITY DEPOSIT GUARANTEE PROGRAM

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SECURITY DEPOSIT GUARANTEE PROGRAM

The Conn. Department of Social Services (DSS) (http://www.ct.gov/dss) administers the Security Deposit Guarantee Program which, in the form of a voucher, guarantees payment of up to two month’s rent to the landlord if there are damages or rent arrearages after the tenant moves out.

To be eligible for a security deposit guarantee, the renter must:

Be at risk of homelessness*

AND:

Have source of income (can be public assistance, employment, or any other regular source of income) and income must be at or below 150% FPL (Can be ON cash assistance or NOT ON cash assistance) AND
Apply BEFORE moving into new apartment AND
Have income sufficient to pay the rent, (i.e. rent must not exceed 60% of gross income)

* To prove "risk of homelessness," must present proof of being without housing within the next 45 days by showing at least ONE of the following:

An eviction notice issued by the Housing Court
A notice of warning to primary tenant with whom client is doubling up that the client staying in the apartment is jeopardizing the primary tenant's tenancy
Proof that the applicant is a victim of domestic violence (police report, doctor or hospital report, court restraining order, report from social service agency)
Statement from any shelter showing that the applicant is a resident
Police report verifying that client is living with a primary tenant who is engaged in criminal activity
An order to vacate issued by a city or town
Proof that client has been or is being discharged from a correctional facility or long-term inpatient program

TO APPLY FOR THE SECURITY DEPOSIT GUARANTEE PROGRAM
People who want to apply for this program can contact the DSS office that serves their city or town, and ask to speak with the Preventive Services Unit. This program is offered statewide.

IF A LANDLORD REFUSES THE GUARANTEED SECURITY DEPOSIT
Under Connecticut law, a landlord may not refuse to accept a DSS Guaranteed Security Deposit. If you believe you are being discriminated against by a landlord who refuses the Guaranteed Security Deposit, you can file a complaint with the Conn. Fair Housing Center or the Connecticut Commission on Human Rights and Opportunities (CHRO) http://www.state.ct.us/chro.

TO FIND PROVIDERS IN CONNECTICUT'S COMMUNITY RESOURCES DATABASE:

Search by program name: Security Deposit Guarantee Program (SDGP)

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SOURCE: Refer Database
PREPARED BY: 211/fj
CONTENT LAST REVIEWED: December2007