$212 Million Allocated by HUD to Extend Housing Access for Disabled Individuals with Very-Low Income
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is taking a significant step to enhance the availability of affordable housing and support services for individuals with disabilities, particularly those with very-low and extremely-low incomes. HUD’s Office of Multifamily Housing has allocated a substantial $212 million in funding for this initiative.
This funding is specifically targeted at participants in the Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program. The Section 811 program focuses on the development, subsidization, and provision of supportive services for rental housing, all designed to cater to the unique needs of individuals with disabilities.
Under the Section 811 Capital Advance/Project Rental Assistance Contract (PRAC) program, $106 million in capital advances is allocated. These funds can be utilized to develop new supportive housing or rehabilitate existing properties to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities. Additionally, project rental subsidies are provided to ensure that these homes remain affordable.
The Section 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA) program receives the other $106 million. This portion of the funding is channeled through state housing agencies and similar organizations. Its purpose is to offer project rental assistance, which covers the gap between what tenants can contribute toward their rental payments and the HUD-approved rent for the property. This helps ensure that eligible tenants with disabilities can access affordable housing.
Ethan Handelman, Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing Programs, emphasized the overarching objective of this initiative: to empower individuals with disabilities to live independently with dignity within integrated communities. This includes giving them access to the supportive services of their choice. Handelman also stressed that while this funding represents a portion of HUD’s comprehensive commitment to addressing housing needs across communities, it holds significant importance in promoting inclusivity and independence for individuals with disabilities.
