Secretary Martinez said yesterday that HUD is awarding $53.9 million in rental assistance housing vouchers to help make the leasing of private housing more affordable for families with members who have disabilities.

The vouchers will go to some 1,900 housing agencies and non-profit organizations.

"Because of their special needs, these families often face difficulties finding suitable, accessible housing they can afford," the Secretary said. "These vouchers will give them the financial assistance they need to find safe, affordable housing."

The Mainstream Program Vouchers enable recipients to rent housing units by paying generally no more than 30 percent of their income for rent with HUD paying the remainder.

Public housing agencies and non-profit organizations that administer HUD's Housing Choice Voucher program and meet other criteria apply annually for the Mainstream vouchers. Eligible families then apply for the vouchers through their local public housing agency.