8961 Daniels Center Drive Suite #401
Fort Myers, Florida 33912
(239) 433-6700 PH
(239) 433-6705 FX
Standard Operating Procedure
Area 8
Housing and Utility Deposits
Purpose: The Health Planning Council of Southwest Florida is contracted by the Florida Department of
Health as the Area 8 Project Sponsor for HOPWA services. In this role The Health Planning Council of
Southwest Florida Inc. (HPC) is responsible for the authorization and payment(s) of Housing and Utility
deposits for Area 8 eligible clients. To insure expended funds for deposits are accounted for and
returned to the Health Planning Council for future client use the following procedure is established. This
policy is required as referenced in the 2001 State HOPWA Program Guidelines. Currently HPC has several
contracted case management agencies throughout Area 8. These contracted agencies conduct housing
case management activities to include: rent, mortgage, utility payment requests and rent/utility security
deposits for eligible clients.
Rent Security Deposits:
 Rent deposits may not exceed more than the area’s Fair Market Rent Value multiplied by two.
 A client may receive one (1) rent security deposit per lifetime. (If the security deposit is
returned, client may request another one and not be charged days.)
 Rent deposits are requested by utilizing the required Security Deposit form and Request for
Assistance form.
 All rent security deposits are to be refunded to HPC by the landlord. Funds not returned are the
responsibility of the client.
 In the event a rent security deposit is not returned in whole the client may choose to pay the unrefunded amount to HPC or have the un-refunded amount deducted as utilized days for future
service. The latter will impact the client’s available days.
Utility Deposits: Electric, Water and Gas
 Utility deposits will be charged 30 days.
 As with rent, mortgage & utility assistance, utility deposits may run concurrently. If a client
requests 30 days rent, an electric deposit and a water deposit on the same day, those 30 days
run together and only count as 30 days charged. If the deposit is returned the client can regain
the 30 days.
 Utility deposits may not exceed $400.00 for electric, $250.00 for water, and $150.00 for gas.