To expand the housing supply and support services for low-income persons with disabilities, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) is providing $212 million through its Section 811 program.
Section 811, titled the Supporting Housing for Persons with Disabilities program, helps develop, subsidize, and provide supportive services for rental housing to meet their needs. The amount provided is through two programs under the Section 811 umbrella – $106 million in capital advances is offered through the Capital Advance/Project Rental Assistance Contract (PRAC) program, to be used for the development of new or the rehabilitation of existing supporting housing, and $106 million through Project Rental Assistance (PRA), which will cover the difference between the tenants’ contributions toward rental payments and HUD-approved rent for the property for eligible tenants with disabilities.
“Every American should have the ability to live in affordable housing that caters to their needs,” HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge said in a release. “Unfortunately, today, far too many housing options are inaccessible to those with disabilities – and those with the appropriate accommodations are often too expensive. This announcement delivers serious progress, making $212 million available to expand housing supply and supportive services for low-income folks with disabilities.”
HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing Programs Ethan Handelman said the goal of these programs is to provide people with disabilities the opportunity to live independently and with dignity, and in communities with appropriate support services.
“This funding is a small but important part of HUD’s overall commitment to meeting the housing needs of all communities.”
Eligible groups and organizations have until Feb. 12 to apply for up to $5 million in funding under the PRAC program, and $8 million under the PRA program.
Cover Story: