Public housing authorities (PHAs) received $24.7 million to aid in providing affordable housing and community support for non-elderly people with disabilities. The award will help 98 local PHAs house 2,210 additional families and support community integrations to support residents.

The funds were provided through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Section 8 Mainstream Housing Choice Voucher Program. The program offers funding to support non-elderly persons with disabilities who are transitioning out of institutional or other isolated settings. These people are at serious risk of institutionalization or becoming homeless.

“People with disabilities deserve access to affordable housing that meets their needs,” HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge said in a release. “Today’s funding is an important step forward - one that will help more persons with disabilities serve as fully integrated members of their communities and allow them to live independently and with dignity.”

PHAs work with partners such as Centers for Independent Living, state protection and advocacy agencies, Medicaid agencies, and Continuums of Care to address the increasing challenges with mainstream leasing. HUD awarded new vouchers and extraordinary administrative fees. To improve the processes of 88 PHAs, $5 million of extraordinary administrative fees has been allotted to support housing search and leasing to eligible applicants. The monies can also be used to ease costs related to the retention, recruitment, and support of participating owners.