The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has awarded $131.3 million to 325 local public housing authorities across the country to provide affordable housing to 15,363 additional non-elderly persons with disabilities.
HUD Secretary Ben Carson made the national announcement during a recent visit to Detroit. The Detroit Housing Commission received $597,629 to serve the residents in their community living with disabilities.
“At HUD we’re committed to ensuring people with disabilities have a decent, safe, and affordable place to live,” Carson said in a news release. “The funding announced today allows our local partners to continue helping residents with disabilities live independently.”
The housing assistance is provided through HUD’s Mainstream Housing Choice Voucher Program which provides funding to housing agencies to assist non-elderly persons with disabilities, particularly those who are transitioning out of institutional or other separated settings; at serious risk of institutionalization; currently experiencing homelessness; previously experienced homelessness and currently a client in a permanent supportive housing or rapid rehousing project or at risk of becoming homeless.
The program persons with disabilities live in the most integrated setting. It also encourages partnerships with health and human service agencies with a demonstrated capacity to coordinate voluntary services and supports independent living.
Housing authorities receiving the most funding were those in California, $16.5 million; Florida, $13.4 million and Texas, $11.5 million.
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