HOUSING STABILIZATION SERVICES PROVIDER IN ALABAMA

Fatumata Kaba
Jun 30
4 min read

SUPPORTING INDIVIDUALS WITH INTELLECTUAL AND DEVELOPMENTAL DISABILITIES IN ACHIEVING AND MAINTAINING SAFE, STABLE LIVING ARRANGEMENTS

Housing Stabilization Services in Alabama are designed to assist individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) in locating, transitioning into, and maintaining stable, independent housing within the community. These services focus on reducing homelessness risk, preventing institutionalization, and promoting long-term residential stability. Housing Stabilization Services are authorized under Alabama’s Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) Medicaid Waivers and are implemented in accordance with the Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH) requirements.

1. GOVERNING AGENCIES

Agency: Alabama Department of Mental Health (ADMH)

Role: Regulates Housing Stabilization Services, approves providers, and ensures service quality and alignment with waiver goals

Agency: Alabama Medicaid Agency

Role: Oversees Medicaid enrollment and reimbursement for approved Housing Stabilization Services

Agency: Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS)

Role: Provides federal oversight and ensures waiver compliance with federal housing-related supports

2. HOUSING STABILIZATION SERVICE OVERVIEW

Housing Stabilization Services assist individuals with IDD in achieving successful residential outcomes by helping them find appropriate housing, complete the transition process, and sustain their living arrangement through individualized supports. Approved providers may deliver:

Housing search and identification assistance
Support with rental applications, lease negotiations, and landlord coordination
Budgeting and financial education for rent and utilities
Development of housing support plans and crisis plans
Assistance with tenancy rights education
Ongoing monitoring to support lease compliance and housing retention

Services must be part of the individual’s person-centered plan and focus on long-term housing success.

3. LICENSING & PROVIDER APPROVAL REQUIREMENTS

Prerequisites:

Register your business with the Alabama Secretary of State
Obtain EIN from the IRS and NPI (Type 2)
Maintain a physical office or provide documentation of mobile/community-based operations
Demonstrate knowledge of housing programs, landlord relations, and local resources
Employ or contract staff with case management or housing navigation experience
Implement systems for tracking housing goals, tenancy status, and progress

4. ADMH PROVIDER ENROLLMENT PROCESS

Initial Interest and Application:

Request the Housing Stabilization Services Provider Application Packet from ADMH
Submit a housing support model detailing assessment, housing search, transition support, and stabilization procedures
Include policies for lease compliance monitoring, landlord communication, and crisis planning

Background & Credentialing:

Background checks for all staff assisting clients with housing coordination or financial planning
Verification of staff qualifications in housing support, case management, or social services
Training in tenancy preservation, eviction prevention, and local housing assistance programs

Program Readiness Review:

Evaluation of housing support tools, checklists, and documentation forms
Review of internal policies for consumer protection, privacy, and emergency response
Templates for housing plans, rent budgeting, and landlord engagement tracking

Approval & Medicaid Enrollment:

Upon ADMH approval, enroll with Alabama Medicaid as a provider of Housing Stabilization Services
Add the appropriate billing codes to the Medicaid service line

5. REQUIRED DOCUMENTATION

Articles of Incorporation or LLC Certificate
IRS EIN Letter
NPI confirmation
Office lease or mobile service delivery documentation
ADMH-Compliant Policy & Procedure Manual including:
- Housing assessment and support planning procedures
- Consumer rights, confidentiality, and informed consent
- Lease compliance and landlord relationship management
- Financial education and budgeting support documentation
- Emergency housing procedures and eviction prevention protocols
- Staff training logs, crisis plans, and case notes
Signed service plans, housing support logs, and progress notes