HUD is trying to stop homelessness with 98 million
Staff Writer
2013-02-13
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HUD’s support of these state agencies is made possible through the Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Demonstration Program (PRA Demo) which enables persons with disabilities who earn less than 30 percent of median income to live in integrated mainstream settings. The state housing agencies are working closely with their state Medicaid and Health and Human Service counterparts to identify, refer, and conduct outreach to persons with disabilities who require long-term services and supports to live independently.
“By working together, HUD and HHS are helping states to offer permanent housing and critically needed supportive services to offer real and lasting assistance to persons who might otherwise be institutionalized or living on our streets,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “We’re helping states reduce health care costs, improving quality of life for persons with disabilities, and ending homelessness as we know it.”
“Our nation is strongest when all our citizens are able to fully participate and contribute,” said HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. “This unique collaboration of federal and state agencies will enable thousands of Americans with disabilities to lead productive, meaningful lives in their communities.”
Today’s announcement reinforces the guiding principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the landmark 1999 Supreme Court ruling in Olmstead v. L.C., which require state and local governments to provide services in the most integrated settings appropriate to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities.
To prevent thousands of people with disabilities from experiencing homelessness or unnecessary institutionalization, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced nearly $98 million in funding for 13 state housing agencies for rental assistance to extremely low-income persons with disabilities, many of whom are transitioning out of institutional settings or are at high risk of homelessness.
State Housing Agency Amount of Rent Subsidy # of units California Housing Finance Agency $11,870,256 335
Delaware State Housing Authority $5,100,753 170
Georgia Housing & Finance Authority $4,160,771 150
Illinois Housing Development Authority $11,982,009 826
Louisiana Housing Corporation $8,254,097 200
Massachusetts Dept. of Housing & Community Development $5,276,452 100
Maryland Dept. of Housing & Community Development $10,917,383 150
Minnesota Housing Finance Agency $3,000,000 95
Montana Dept. of Commerce $2,000,000 82
North Carolina Housing Finance Agency $12,000,000 562
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency $5,707,800 200
Texas Dept. of Housing & Community Affairs $12,000,000 385
Washington State Dept. of Commerce $5,580,280 275
TOTAL $97,849,801
3,530