Virginia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services

Welcome to WaitListCheck, the software platform the Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) uses to accept on-line referrals for DBHDS housing resources.  These resources are targeted to persons with serious mental illness or developmental disabilities (the “Target Population”) and include the Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Program, the State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) and the Special Admissions Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) waitlists.

 Individuals whose households currently receive private, local, state or federal rental assistance, subsidy or supplements are not eligible for DBHDS housing resources.

 Housing Resources for Persons with Serious Mental Illness (SMI)

Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) Rental Assistance (RA) - DBHDS funds local PSH Rental Assistance programs that serve adults with a Serious Mental Illness (SMI) diagnosis as defined in the Code of Virginia. Referred individuals must be age 18 or older, have a household income that is at or below 50% of the area median income and meet at least one of the following criteria:   

1. the individual is a patient in a state psychiatric facility,  
2. the individual is a resident of a supervised residential setting (e.g., assisted living facility, group home) who wants to live more independently,  
3. the individual is experiencing chronic homelessness (as defined by HUD) or is literally homeless and at risk of becoming chronically homeless, and/or 
4. the individual is unstably housed and a frequent user of hospitals or criminal justice system interventions. 

Before submitting a housing referral in WaitListCheck, DBHDS PSH providers must document individuals meet all eligibility criteria and are approved for DBHDS-funded PSH services in Fairfax County, Prince William County, or the City of Alexandria.

Housing Resources for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (DD)

State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) or Special Admissions Preference Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) - DBHDS funds local State Rental Assistance Programs (SRAP) for persons who have a developmental disability (DD) diagnosis as defined in the Code of Virginia.  DBHDS also coordinates referrals to local public housing agencies that prioritize persons with a developmental disability diagnosis for Housing Choice Vouchers. Referred individuals must be age 18 or older (or emancipated minors) and have a household income that is at or below 50% of the area median income. Individuals must also meet one of the following criteria:

1.      the individual currently receives Medicaid Developmental Disability Waiver Services OR

2.      the individual is currently on the Medicaid Developmental Disability Waiver Waitlist OR

3.      the individual currently resides in a skilled nursing facility, intermediate care facility, state training center or group home and is eligible for a Medicaid Developmental Disability Waiver

DBHDS does not accept referrals for individuals who will use a housing resource to live with a parent, grandparent or guardian.

Read the Following Information Carefully Before Completing a Referral in WaitListCheck

DBHDS Housing Resource Referrals for persons with serious mental illness and/or developmental disabilities are accepted online only. DBHDS will accept one (1) DBHDS Housing Resource Referral per household at a time.  DBHDS will not accept paper referral forms, multiple/ duplicate referrals, or fraudulent referrals.

 The DBHDS Housing Resource Referral process has three (3) steps:

1.      Complete Part I of the DBHDS Housing Resource Referral in WaitListCheck using a PC, laptop, smartphone or tablet. For language assistance, click “Google Translate.”

2.      Complete and submit the DBHDS Housing Resource Referral Part II, the release(s) of information, and any required documentation in AssistanceConnect (assistancecheck.com). 

a.      Individuals who already live independently must also submit a Financial Need Verification Form.

b.        Upon verification the referred individual is in the Target Population, the individual will be added to the waitlist. 

c.      Referred individuals who are not in the Target Population or who fail to complete both steps of the referral process will be deemed ineligible.  WaitListCheck will show the referral status is INACTIVE.

3.      The local rental assistance administrator will invite the referred individual/referral facilitator to complete and submit the Initial Certification[JC1]  package in AssistanceConnect for the program to which the individual has been referred (PSH, SRAP or Special Admissions HCVP).

 WaitListCheck requires an email address or phone number and Social Security number for the referred individual. 

·        Input the referred individual’s email address, phone number, Social Security number and contact information into WaitListCheck and AssistanceConnect. 

·        WaitListCheck offers those who have no email address an opportunity to obtain a free Gmail account. Prior to registering for a free email address for the referred individual, inform the individual and obtain the individual’s permission.

 To complete the DBHDS Housing Resource Referral in WaitlistCheck, you will need:

·        Full legal names of all household members

·        Social Security numbers for all household members

·        Birthdates for all household members

·        Income information for every person who will reside in the household, EXCEPT for a live-in aide. Live-in aide incomes are excluded. Enter the total household income on the referral. If the household has no income, enter “zero” in the income field.

 WAIT TIMES: DBHDS does not provide emergency or immediate housing. Referred individuals may wait for an extended time before being invited to apply for a DBHDS Housing Resource.  While on the waitlist, report any changes to contact information and household composition in assistancecheck.com. You will be notified when the individual has been selected from the waitlist.

The Virginia Department of Behavioral Health & Developmental Services (DBHDS) and its contracted agencies administering housing assistance comply with the Fair Housing Act and provide reasonable accommodations and modifications to persons with disabilities. Accommodations may be requested orally, if an applicant or tenant has difficulty making requests in writing. DBHDS and its contracted agencies do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, religion, sex, disability or familial status in admission or access to its housing programs. To file a housing discrimination complaint, please contact the Fair Housing Office at the Virginia Department of Professional and Occupational Regulation: call 804-367-8530 or 888-551-3247 (TTY: 711) or visit https://www.dpor.virginia.gov/FairHousing.