New Jersey-2014-A3651-Introduced

An Act establishing a pilot program within the Department of Human Services to assist individuals with special needs, supplementing Title 26 of the Revised Statutes, and amending P.L.2004, c.140 and P.L.2005, c.66.

Be It Enacted by the Senate and General Assembly of the State of New Jersey:

1. (New section) The Legislature finds and declares:

a. In the absence of appropriate housing with supportive services, many individuals with special needs are often unable to obtain adequate accommodations and end up in living on the streets, in flop-houses, incarcerated in jails, or confined to mental institutions. This results in the overutilization of costly governmental and institutional services and has a negative impact on the individual's emotional and physical well-being. A need exists to fill this gap in the housing continuum between independent living and institutionalization for those individuals with special needs who are in need of shelter, social services, medical services, and meaningful work activities, including alternative work experiences, to remain in the community.

b. Programs in other states designed to help solve the problem of housing individuals with special needs have utilized a comprehensive approach that permits an individual with special needs to participate in work activities or alternative work experiences, to reside with a small group of other individuals with special needs who utilize similar services, and to receive or benefit from a project-based housing voucher. These programs have been demonstrated to be an effective solution to this housing problem in many instances. This type of program requires the recruitment of project sponsors who are capable of properly monitoring and supervising the individuals with special needs who are placed into their care.

c. Therefore, it is consistent with the policy of this State to promote the health, safety, and welfare of its individuals with special needs by establishing a pilot program within the Department of Human Services to recruit, certify, and monitor project sponsors who are capable of properly supervising individuals with special needs in performing work activities or participating in an alternative work experience in a supportive environment that is partially financed through the grant of project-based housing vouchers.

2. (New section) As used in P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill):

"Alternative work experience" means unpaid work and training only with a public, private nonprofit or private charitable employer that provides a client with the experience necessary to adjust to, and learn how to function in, an employment setting and the opportunity to combine that experience with education and job training.

"Applicant" means an individual who applies to the Department of Human Service for licensure as a special needs work-for-housing project sponsor.

"Client" means an individual with special needs.

"Commissioner" means the Commissioner of Human Services.

"Department" means the Department of Human Services.

"Individuals with special needs" means individuals with mental illness, physical or developmental disabilities, victims of domestic violence, ex-offenders, youth aging out of foster care, disabled and qualified homeless veterans, individuals and households who are qualified homeless, individuals and households who are displaced by a natural disaster resulting in a state of emergency declared by the President of the United States or the Governor of the State of New Jersey, individuals with AIDS/HIV, and individuals in other emerging special needs groups identified by State agencies. Individuals shall be at least 18 years of age if not part of a household.

"Program" means the Special Needs Work-for-Housing Pilot Program established pursuant to section 3 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

"Qualified center" means a special needs work-for-housing project providing housing with supportive services as required by the individuals with special needs residing therein.

"Special needs work-for-housing project" or "project" means a housing development, or such portion of a housing development, that is supportive housing or a community residence that is primarily for occupancy by individuals with special needs who shall occupy such housing, while a participant in the program, as their usual and permanent residence, together with any structures or facilities, appurtenant or ancillary thereto, and shall include the planning, development, acquisition, construction and rehabilitation of structures, and residences undertaken by a project sponsor for such purposes, including the cost of land and structures, construction, rehabilitation or any interest therein;

"Special needs work-for-housing project sponsor" or "project sponsor" means an individual who is licensed by the Department of Human Services pursuant to section 4 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

"Sponsor agency" means an entity providing social or medical services to clients residing in a qualified center.

"Work activity" includes, but is not limited to, the following, as defined by regulation of the Commissioner of Human Services for the purposes of the "Work First New Jersey program" established pursuant to the "Work First New Jersey Act," P.L.1997, c.38 (C.44:10-55 et seq.): employment; on-the-job training; job search and job readiness assistance; vocational educational training; job skills training related directly to employment; community work experience; alternative work experience; supportive work; community service programs, including the provision of child care as a community service project; in the case of a teenage parent or a recipient under the age of 19 who is expected to graduate or complete their course of study by their 19th birthday, satisfactory attendance at a secondary school or in a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence; and education that is necessary for employment in the case of a person who has not received a high school diploma or a certificate of high school equivalency, a course of study leading to a certificate of general equivalence, or post-secondary education, whether or not combined with community work experience participation or other approved work activities, including employment.

3. (New section) a. There is established within the Department of Human Services a Special Needs Work-for-Housing Pilot Program.

b. The purpose of the program is to demonstrate the efficacy of providing work opportunities for individuals with special needs within a supervised environment meeting their needs for supportive housing.

c. The program shall recruit and license, pursuant to section 4 of P.L. , c. (C. ), no less than five special needs project sponsors to operate qualified centers. No less than one qualified center shall be located in a first or third class county, no less than one qualified center shall be located in a second or fourth class county, and no less than one qualified center shall be located in a fifth or sixth class county.

d. (1) Each client who is 19 years or older, shall be required to perform a work activity or participate in an alternative work experience for at least 40 hours per month, prorated at 10 hours per week when program participation commences during a calendar month. A project sponsor may reduce or waive the 40 hour requirement for any month when justifiable circumstances prevent a client from full compliance.

(2) In exchange for the client performing a work activity or participating in an alternative work experience pursuant to this section, project based housing vouchers shall be issued to the client, or to the project sponsor for the benefit of the client, under section 1 of P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.1).

4. (New section) a. No person shall operate a special needs work-for-housing project unless the person is licensed as a special needs work-for-housing project sponsor in accordance with this section. A person may not be licensed as a project sponsor unless that person owns or rents the qualified center that is to be utilized as a special needs work-for-housing project and has resided either (1) in the county in which the qualified center is located or, (2) within a 20 mile radius of the qualified center, for one year prior to the granting of an initial license and throughout the term of the licensure.

b. Application for licensure as a special needs work-for-housing project sponsor shall be made upon forms prescribed by the department. The department shall charge a single, non-refundable fee for the filing of an application for the issuance of a license and a single, non-refundable fee for any renewal thereof, as it shall from time to time fix in rules or regulations, except that neither fee shall exceed $200. The department, in its discretion, may waive an application or renewal fee for an applicant, in whole or in part, upon a clear and convincing showing by the applicant that the application or renewal fee represents an unreasonable burden on the applicant.

c. The department shall issue a license as a special needs work-for-housing project sponsor to an applicant if it finds that:

(1) the applicant and the qualified center identified in the application are fit and adequate, in accordance with the qualifications and standards established by regulation of the commissioner;

(2) there is reasonable assurance that care will be provided to clients in the manner required by P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) and any rules or regulations adopted pursuant thereto; and

(3) there are sufficient indicia of fiscal responsibility such that the applicant will be able to maintain residence at the qualified center with minimal likelihood of eviction or mortgage foreclosure during the term of licensure.

All licenses issued by the department shall be effective for up to two years from the date of issuance unless revoked in accordance with the provisions of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

d. A special needs work-for-housing project sponsor license shall specify both the name of the licensee and the location of the particular qualified center in which clients will be housed. A special needs work-for-housing project sponsor's license is not transferable and shall apply only to the location and person indicated on the license.

e. Upon issuance of a license to a special needs work-for-housing project sponsor, the department shall provide a copy of the license to the municipality in which the qualified center is located.

f. Upon receipt of a license as a special needs work-for-housing project sponsor, the project sponsor shall provide notification of the license to the police department, fire department, and ambulance corps that serve the municipality in which the qualified center is located for their planning purposes.

g. A project sponsor may enter into contractual agreements with one or more sponsor agencies, as appropriate, to provide supportive or medical services to clients residing at the qualified center.

5. (New section) a. The department shall establish a program to check the criminal history record background of any applicant for licensure as a special needs work-for-housing project sponsor, as well as any person who may act as a substitute project sponsor, as defined by regulation of the commissioner, and any non-client 18 years of age or above who resides in the qualified center. The criminal history record background check shall include the exchange of fingerprint data with, and the receipt of criminal history record information from, the Federal Bureau of Investigation and the Division of State Police.

b. A person shall be disqualified from being licensed as a special needs work-for-housing project sponsor or acting as a substitute project sponsor if the check of his criminal history record background reveals a conviction for any of the following crimes or offenses, and a qualified center shall be disqualified from being approved as a special needs work-for-housing project if the criminal history record background check of any non-client 18 years of age or older who resides in the qualified center reveals a conviction for any of the following crimes or offenses:

(1) In New Jersey, any crime or disorderly persons offense:

(a) involving danger to the person, meaning those crimes and disorderly persons offenses set forth in N.J.S.2C:11-1 et seq., N.J.S.2C:12-1 et seq., N.J.S.2C:13-1 et seq., N.J.S.2C:14-1 et seq., or N.J.S.2C:15-1 et seq.; or

(b) against the family, children or incompetents, meaning those crimes and disorderly persons offenses set forth in N.J.S.2C:24-1 et seq.; or

(d) involving any controlled dangerous substance or controlled substance analog as set forth in chapter 35 of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes except paragraph (4) of subsection a. of N.J.S.2C:35-10; or

(e) any other crime or disorderly persons offense substantially related to the qualifications or duties of a special needs work-for-housing project sponsor.

(2) In any other state or jurisdiction, conduct which, if committed in New Jersey, would constitute any of the crimes or disorderly persons offenses described in paragraph (1) of this subsection.

c. Notwithstanding the provisions of subsection b. of this section to the contrary, an applicant shall not be denied a license when the person found to have a conviction as specified in subsection b. of this section affirmatively provides evidence satisfactory to the department of the person's rehabilitation. In determining the person's rehabilitation, the department shall consider the following factors, as applicable:

(1) the nature and seriousness of the offense;

(2) the circumstances under which the offense occurred;

(3) the date of the offense;

(4) the age of the person when the offense was committed;

(5) whether the offense was an isolated or repeated incident;

(6) any social conditions which may have contributed to the offense; and

(7) any evidence of rehabilitation, including good conduct in prison or in the community, counseling or psychiatric treatment received, acquisition of additional academic or vocational schooling, successful participation in correctional work-release programs, or the recommendation of those who have had the person under their supervision.

d. Upon receipt of the criminal history record and a determination that an applicant should be disqualified from acting as a project sponsor or substitute project sponsor, or that a qualified center should be disqualified as a special needs work-for-housing project, the department shall so notify the applicant in writing. The notice shall specify the convictions and any other information upon which the disqualification is based.

6. (New section) a. No person, firm, partnership, corporation, limited liability company or association may operate, conduct or hold itself out to the public as a sponsor agency unless it is duly registered in accordance with the provisions of subsection b. of this section.

b. Registration as a sponsor agency shall be made upon forms prescribed by the department. The department shall charge a single, non-refundable fee for the filing of an application for the issuance of a registration certificate and a single, non-refundable fee for any renewal thereof, as it shall from time to time establish by regulations, except that neither of these fees shall exceed $200. Governmental entities acting as a sponsor agency shall be exempt from registration and charitable entities requesting registration shall be exempt from the registration and renewal fees.

c. An applicant for registration as a sponsor agency shall comply with all procedures and meet all standards and requirements established by regulation of the commissioner.

7. (New section) a. A special needs work-for-housing project shall be regulated as a qualified center and shall meet all State and local building, sanitation, utility, and fire code requirements applicable to single family dwellings; provided, however, that the commissioner may require compliance with fire code requirements applicable to boarding houses and residential health care facilities if so warranted by the capabilities of the clients residing therein.

b. The department shall be responsible for inspecting the physical plant of each qualified center initially and on an annual basis. These inspections may be done in consultation and coordination with the Department of Community Affairs or the local enforcing agency, as appropriate. In addition to any licensing fee required under section 4 of P.L. , c. (C. ), the department may charge an annual, non-refundable fee for inspection of any qualified center, as shall be established from time to time by regulation of the commissioner.

c. (1) The department's staff shall be permitted access to enter and inspect a special needs work-for-housing project at any time. The department's staff shall be permitted access to the clients of the qualified center in order to interview them privately and to inspect client records.

(2) The department shall ensure that the legal guardians of any clients enjoy the same access rights as required for department staff under this subsection.

d. The department shall be responsible for providing to the project sponsor a report of the most recent inspection of the qualified center, written in clear, concise language readily comprehensible to the average person.

e. The project sponsor shall post the inspection report in the entry to, or other equally prominent location in, the qualified center and shall, upon request, provide a copy of the report to each client of, or person applying for admission to, the qualified center, or the legal representative, guardian, or conservator of the client or prospective client.

f. The commissioner shall have jurisdiction to take all actions authorized pursuant to P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) with respect to qualified centers.

8. (New section) The commissioner shall by regulation establish minimum standards to ensure the health, safety, and well-being of each client residing in a qualified center, including: requirements for the physical site of the qualified center and maintenance standards; rules governing acceptance of clients; rules governing they types of work activities and alternative work experiences that clients may perform to participate in a project; services that must be provided to all clients and standards for these services; and components of quality care, including, but not limited to, qualifications and training of project sponsors and substitute project sponsors, safety of the project environment, coordination of services, and comprehensiveness of care.

9. (New section) a. A person, firm, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or association that operates or conducts a special needs work-for-housing project or acts as a sponsor agency without first obtaining the license or certificate of registration required by P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), or that operates a special needs work-for-housing project or acts as a sponsor agency after a revocation or suspension of that license or registration, as appropriate, shall be liable to a penalty of not more than $2,500 as provided for by regulation for each day of operation in violation hereof for the first offense and for any subsequent offense.

b. A person, firm, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or association that, except in cases of an emergency, maintains more clients in a special needs work-for-housing project than it is licensed to maintain, shall be subject to penalty, in an amount equal to the daily charge collected from or on behalf of those clients plus $25 for each day multiplied by the number of clients maintained over the authorized limit. For the purposes of this subsection, "emergency" means any condition which poses an imminent or existing threat to the safety and security of persons or property, or both. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, an emergency may arise as a result of any one or more of the following: fire; flood; wind, rain, or snow storms; labor disputes; power failures; transportation failures; war; and riots, civil commotions, and other acts of lawlessness or violence. An emergency shall exist when a state of emergency has been declared by the President of the United States or the Governor, or by a municipal emergency management coordinator.

c. In addition to the authority granted to the department by P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) or any other law, the department, after serving an applicant, licensee, or registrant with specific charges in writing, may: assess penalties and collect the same within the limitations imposed by P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill); deny a license; grant probationary or provisional status to a licensee; deny a registration certificate, or grant probationary or provisional registration status to a sponsor agency; relocate clients; or revoke or suspend any and all licenses or registrations granted under authority of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) to a person, firm, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or association violating or failing to comply with the provisions of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill), or the rules and regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

d. A person, firm, partnership, corporation, limited liability company, or association that violates any rule or regulation adopted in accordance with P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) as the same pertains to the care of clients or physical plant standards shall be subject to a monetary penalty of not more than $2,500 as provided for by regulation for each day in violation of the rule or regulation.

e. Notice of the assessment of penalties, revocation, suspension, placement on probationary or provisional license or registration status, relocation of clients, or denial of a license or registration certificate, together with a specification of charges, shall be served on the applicant, licensee, or registrant personally or sent by certified mail to the address of record. The notice shall set forth the particular reasons for the administrative action being undertaken.

f. The commissioner or his designee shall arrange for prompt and fair hearings on all contested cases, render written decisions stating conclusions and reasons therefor upon each matter so heard, and may enter orders of denial, suspension, placement on probationary or provisional license or registration status, relocation of clients, or revocation of license or registration, consistent with the circumstances in each case, and may assess penalties and collect the same within the limitations imposed by P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

g. In the event of closure of a special needs work-for-housing project, clients who are relocated by the department may be entitled to benefits pursuant to the "Relocation Assistance Act," P.L.1971, c.362 (C.20:4-1 et seq.) or the "Relocation Assistance Law of 1967," P.L.1967, c.79 (C.52:31B-1 et seq.), and any regulations adopted pursuant thereto.

10. (New section) a. A client of a special needs work-for-housing project may not be deprived of any civil or legal rights, benefits or privileges guaranteed by law, the New Jersey Constitution, or the Constitution of the United States solely by reason of status as a resident in the qualified center. In addition, each client has the right to:

(1) be treated as an adult, with respect, dignity, courtesy and consideration, and to have individual needs for privacy recognized and upheld;

(2) be informed of all client rights and house rules;

(3) make choices with respect to his care, services, and lifestyle;

(4) be informed of his condition and the right to consent to or refuse care and services;

(5) participate, to the fullest extent that the client is able, in planning for his own care and services;

(6) receive appropriate care and services, as needed;

(7) a safe and secure environment;

(8) be free from abuse, exploitation, and neglect;

(9) complete privacy when receiving care and services;

(10) associate and communicate privately with any person the client chooses;

(11) send and receive personal mail unopened;

(12) participate in activities of social, religious and community groups;

(13) have medical and personal information kept confidential;

(14) keep and use a reasonable amount of personal clothing and belongings, and to have a reasonable amount of private, secure storage space;

(15) manage his own money and financial affairs, unless legally restricted from doing so;

(16) receive a written agreement regarding the care and services to be provided, and the terms and conditions for termination of residency from the qualified center;

(17) be provided with a written statement of the rates to be charged, and 30 days' written notice of any change in the rates;

(18) practice the religion of his choice, or to abstain from religious practice;

(19) be free of discrimination in regard to race, color, national origin, sex, or religion; and

(20) make suggestions and complaints without fear of retaliation.

b. The project sponsor shall ensure that a written notice of the rights set forth in this section is given to every client. The project sponsor shall also post this notice in the entry to, or other equally prominent location in, the qualified center. This notice shall also include the name, address and telephone number of the Office of the Commissioner of Human Services.

c. A client residing in a qualified center shall not be considered a tenant for the purposes of bringing an action for eviction under the eviction for cause law, section 2 of P.L.1974, c.49 (C.2A:18-61.1); provided, however, that any action by a project sponsor to remove a client from a qualified center shall require the approval of the commissioner after notice to the client and opportunity to be heard. Failure to participate in a work activity or alternative work experience, as required under subsection d. of section 3 of P.L. , c. (C. ), without a reduction or waiver of hours by a project sponsor, is grounds for removal from a qualified center.

11. (New section) The Commissioner of Human Services, pursuant to the "Administrative Procedure Act," P.L.1968, c.410 (C.52:14B-1 et seq.), shall adopt rules and regulations to effectuate the purposes of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

12. Section 1 of P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.1) is amended to read as follows:

1. The Commissioner of Community Affairs shall establish a rental assistance program for low income individuals or households and include, as part of the program and in coordination with the Commissioner of Human Services, a project-based rental assistance component for individuals with special needs participating in the Special Needs Work-for-Housing Pilot Program established by section 3 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill). This program shall be in addition to and supplement any existing programs established pursuant to the "Prevention of Qualified Homelessness Act (1984)," P.L.1984, c.180 (C.52:27D-280 et al.).

a. The program shall provide rental assistance grants comparable to the federal section 8 program, but shall be available only to State residents who are not currently holders of federal section 8 vouchers.

b. Assistance to an individual or household under the State program shall be terminated upon the award of federal section 8 rental assistance to the same individual or household.

c. The program shall reserve a portion of the grants for assistance to senior citizens aged 62 or older who otherwise meet the criteria of subsection a. of this section.

d. The program shall reserve a portion of the grants for assistance to veterans who have successfully completed the Veterans Transitional Housing Program, or "Veterans Haven," a vocational and transitional housing program for qualified homeless veterans administered by the New Jersey Department of Military and Veterans' Affairs.

e. The program shall reserve a portion of the grants for project-based assistance to, or for the benefit of, individuals with special needs who participate in the Special Needs Work-for-Housing Pilot Program established pursuant to section 3 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill).

(cf: P.L.2007, c.237, s.1)

13. Section 3 of P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.3) is amended to read as follows:

3. The commissioner shall annually allocate from the receipts of the portion of the realty transfer fee directed to be credited to the Neighborhood Preservation Nonlapsing Revolving Fund pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1968, c.49 (C.46:15-8) and pursuant to section 4 of P.L.1975, c.176 (C.46:15-10.1) such amounts as may be necessary to fund rental assistance grants authorized by P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.1 et al.), provided that not less than $3 million be annually allocated for the purposes of subsection c. of section 1 of P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.1) [and] , not less than $7 million be annually allocated for the purposes of subsection a. and subsection d. of section 1 of P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.1) , and not less than $900,000 be annually allocated for the purposes of subsection e. of section 1 of P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.1).

(cf: P.L.2007, c.208, s.2)

14. Section 2 of P.L.2005, c.66 (C.52:27D-287.4) is amended to read as follows:

2. a. Any individual under the age of 65, who is not disabled and who receives a rental assistance grant provided pursuant to subsection a. of section 1 of P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.1), shall apply for employment and training services and seek the counseling required to obtain the employment and training services pursuant to section 7 of P.L.1992, c.43 (C.34:15D-7).

b. The counselor shall develop a written Employability Development Plan in a manner consistent with the provisions of section 7 of P.L.1992, c.43 (C.34:15D-7), if the counselor, after conducting the testing, assessment, and evaluation of, disclosures of information to, and discussions with, the individual required pursuant to that section, determines that:

(1) The individual is eligible for employment and training services under P.L.1992, c.48 (C.34:15B-35 et seq.), P.L.1992, c.43 (C.34:15D-1 et seq.), or P.L.1992, c.47 (C.43:21-57 et seq.);

(2) The individual lacks the basic skills or occupational skills needed to obtain employment which provides self-sufficiency; and

(3) Funds are available to the individual for any remedial education and vocational training needed to permit the individual to obtain employment providing self-sufficiency and that the education and training are available and accessible to the individual in a time and manner which does not result in a reduction of the individual's family income or substantial additional expenses.

c. If the counselor determines that any of the requirements of subsection b. of this section are not met, the counselor shall certify that an Employability Development Plan is not required for continued eligibility for the rental assistance grant. If the requirements are met and an Employability Development Plan is developed pursuant to this section, the individual, to maintain eligibility for the rental assistance grant, shall be required to show satisfactory progress in carrying out the training and educational activities provided under the plan. The Commissioner of Labor and Workforce Development shall adopt regulations setting forth standards regarding what constitutes satisfactory progress, including reasonable adjustments in participation requirements for good cause, including verifiable needs related to physical or mental health problems, illness, accident or death or serious personal or family problems that necessitate reduced participation, and shall develop a system for monitoring satisfactory progress and providing, on a timely basis, notification to the Department of Community Affairs of the loss of eligibility of any individual for rental assistance grants due to a failure to make satisfactory progress.

d. For the purposes of subsections a. through c. of this section, "employment and training services," "remedial education," "self-sufficiency," and "vocational training" have the meanings set forth in section 3 of P.L.1992, c.43 (C.34:15D-3).

e. Any individual who receives a rental assistance grant, or for whom a State rental assistance grant is provided, pursuant to subsection e. of section 1 of P.L.2004, c.140 (C.52:27D-287.1) shall be required to participate in the Special Needs Work-for-Housing Pilot Program established pursuant to section 3 of P.L. , c. (C. ) (pending before the Legislature as this bill) and reside in a qualified center under that program.

(cf: P.L.2005, c.66, s.2)

15. This act shall take effect immediately.

STATEMENT

This bill establishes the Special Needs Work-for-Housing Pilot Program in the Department of Human Services to license at least five project sponsors through the State to participate in a program to provide residential accommodations, including supportive services, for individuals with special needs, and including a component requiring the individual with special needs to perform, at least 40 hours per month, a work activity or alternative work experience in exchange for their housing voucher. Individuals or households displaced by a natural disaster, such as Superstorm Sandy, also would qualify as individuals with special needs.