Update on Federal Funding for Housing for Persons with Disabilities
In November 2007, the U.S. House of Representatives voted 270 to 140 to adopt the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development and Related Agencies (T-HUD) conference report, which includes funds for housing and transportation programs that benefit persons with disabilities. The vote was short of the two-thirds majority needed to override the President's expected veto. The bill rejects the Administration's proposed $112 million cut in the Section 811 Supportive Housing Program for Persons with Disabilities; instead, it level funds the program at $237 million. For the first time since FY 2002, the bill includes $30 million in new funding for 3,000 new Section 8 vouchers targeted to non-elderly persons with disabilities. The House must reconcile its bill with the U.S. Senate's version. (Source: Capitol Insider, produced by the Disability Policy Collaboration, November 19, 2007.)
The Arc of Minnesota Housing Opportunities Program
Notice: December, 2007
The Arc of Minnesota's Housing Opportunities Program will be suspended through
at least the remainder of 2007. I have been reassigned to other activities for the time being. I
will only be able to address emergency housing issues. Give me a call after January 1, 2008. Below are the services that should be available at that time. Thank you for considering The Arc of Minnesota for your housing assistance.
Dennis Collins, Housing Consultant
Housing Opportunity Program Services Persons with developmental disabilities (DD) and their families or representatives are offered help with minor or major housing issues. Support is offered through three
programs:
1. Housing Counseling
a. Counseling help with housing questions, information and referrals. Topics can cover any housing
issue but generally cover items such as: ownership, rental, social service supports, trusts, licensing, maintenance, roommates, and many other residential issues.
b. Counseling help with home financing and other residential costs. This involves
finding financial assistance through mortgage programs, grants and other sources
for the purchase, construction, repair, accessibility, remodeling, etc. of a home.
2. Housing Access Coordination (HAC)HAC is an approved service within
the MR/RC Waiver. The cost for this service is paid
by the Waiver. HAC service allows an authorized consultant to provide direct housing
support to a client or his or her representatives, to assist them with housing
decisions or the implementation of their housing plans. For example, this service
might help with: - seeking subsidized rental programs
- locating
an available apartment
- obtaining mortgage financing
- finding
a home to purchase
- constructing a home
- deciding on house mates
- maintenance planning
- ... and much, much more.
3.
Demonstration Housing Programs The Arc of Minnesota plays a major
role in several trial housing programs designed to improve or expand housing opportunities
for persons with DD. Currently The Arc of Minnesota is a part of the HomeChoice
program (a mortgage program for people with disabilities) and the Landlord Partnership
Program (coordinating Hennepin County and the Section 8 program). For
more details contact Dennis Collins at
651-523-0823 or 1-800-582-5256, ext. 111. Available
Openings in Public HousingThe Arc of Minnesota receives periodic listings
of current openings and waiting lists in public housing in that could impact Minnesotans
with disabilities, both in the Twin Cities metro area and in Greater Minnesota.
To access those lists, click
here. |
