RENTCAFE PHA

Qualify & move families in faster

Modernize the way households join waitlists, qualify for housing and connect with your staff. RentCafe PHA replaces paper applications and long interviews with a secure, efficient online experience.

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Features

Expedite with portals

Use online tools to improve communication with applicants, residents and landlords. Role-specific web portals enable fast, easy access for your agency to send and receive information from stakeholders. Portals include workflows for applicants, residents and landlords.

Improve application data quality

Make it easy for applicants to submit eligibility documentation without filling out a stack of paperwork. The online workflow uses an intuitive Q&A interface that simplifies the process of submitting personal information and fosters highly accurate data. RentCafe PHA automatically checks for completion, reducing the need for staff to follow up.

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Simplify RFTA for applicants & landlords

Execute RFTAs faster and easier with digital workflows and electronic signatures, from voucher issuance to move-in. Yardi Online RFTA streamlines tenant approvals with digital communication between landlords, applicants and your team.

Save time with waitlists

Save staff time on waitlist maintenance with Save My Spot, a feature that keeps waitlists up to date without manual data entry or printing and mailing forms to waitlisted participants.

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Reduce fair housing risk

Reduce exposure to fair housing claims by providing applicants with a standardized, consistent application process. Provide equal access to housing opportunities by translating your application interviews into more than 80 languages.

Spend less on paper & storage

Upload application documents to RentCafe PHA without the hassle of mailing or dropping off paperwork. Electronic applications eliminate the cost and risk of storing physical files.

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Expand your reach

Referral agencies can help people get started with their application via the RentCafe referral portal.

Testimonials

Bob Havlicek

Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara
Ivory Mathews

Home Forward

Effortless waitlist management

We purged nearly 40% of the names on our outdated waitlist with Save My Spot, a feature of RentCafe PHA, in a matter of days.

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Serve more with quick voucher turnaround

Yardi has undoubtedly helped us serve more people. Our high utilization rates in the voucher program are thanks to our ability to quickly get vouchers into the hands of families who need them.

FAQ

Which programs and applications do you support?

RentCafe PHA offers easy-to-use portals for applicants, participants and landlords with online signatures, payments, service requests and recertifications.

Yardi Voyager handles move-ins, recertifications, waitlists, market combos, interim and transfers for PHA, Housing Choice Vouchers and Project-Based Vouchers.

RentCafe Affordable Housing supports Section 50059, LIHTC, RD and HOME programs.

How quickly can we get RentCafe PHA?

After an initial conference call and review, we provide an implementation plan with a timeline and cost estimates (if product/document customizations are required).

What if I don’t like the wording of something? Can I change it?

Yes. Most wording can be changed.

What about my documents? We use different documents than what you showed us.

Most of your existing documents (in Microsoft Word format) can be integrated. Some modifications may be necessary.

What is RFTA?

The Request for Tenancy Approval (RFTA) process is used to provide Section 8 tenant-based assistance under the HCV program. The family, landlord or agency initiates the process to execute a Housing Assistance Payment (HAP) contract. This process is complex and can take weeks or months.

Does the RFTA workflow support existing residents?

Yes. This workflow supports new and existing residents. If the resident is in another program, such as Public Housing, you must first perform a transfer to property to create the HCV record.

What is the typical learning curve for Section 8 applicants and tenants?

Users tend to learn the system quickly, especially if they have gone through other workflows, such as the pre-applications to be placed on a waitlist and the intake workflow for eligibility determination.

Does the selected language track in the tenant’s file?

Yes, but only on the member screen. We track the tenant’s Limited English Proficiency (LEP) requirements on the member screen, but this information does not flow automatically from RentCafe PHA.

Can we automate voucher expiration reminders to the families?

Yes. You can configure automated notifications for this.

Can we set up a client to be able to submit only one RFTA at a time?

Yes. This is the default setting.

What controls are in place to prevent families from submitting more than one RFTA?

The tenant countersigns an RFTA for a specific unit. That unit moves forward in the process until it is determined to be ineligible.