|
HUD No. 07-98 Patricia Campbell (817) 978-5974 |
For Release Monday October 29, 2007 |
BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $4.6 MILLION TO HELP VERY LOW-INCOME ELDERLY AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN ARKANSAS
Forrest City, Haskell, Harrison and Pocahontas Receive Housing Assistance Grants
FORT WORTH - It will soon be easier for senior citizens and people with disabilities to find affordable housing in Arkansas, thanks to more than $4.6 million in housing assistance grants announced today by U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson. A list of the Arkansas grantees with project summaries follows.
"This Administration is committed to making sure our senior citizens and people with disabilities have opportunities to find decent housing that they can afford," said Jackson. "Neither group should ever have to worry about being able
to find a safe place to live."
Section 202 Grants ($518.9 million nationwide to assist very low-income elderly)
HUD's Section 202 grants program helps expand the supply of affordable housing with supportive services for the elderly by funding the construction and/or rehabilitation of projects to create apartments. In addition, these grants will subsidize rents for three years so that residents will pay only 30 percent of their adjusted incomes as rent. Section 202 grants provide very low-income elderly with options that allow them to live independently but in an environment that provides support activities such as cleaning, cooking, and transportation.
To be eligible for the assistance a household must be classified as "very low-income," which means an income less than 50 percent of the area median. Nationally, based on 50 percent of the national median family income with an applicable adjustment for household size, a one-person household would need to have an income equal to or less
than $20,850 a year.
Section 811 Grants ($124.8 million nationwide to assist very low-income people with disabilities)
HUD's Section 811 program allows persons with disabilities to live independently in their communities by increasing
the supply of rental housing with the availability of supportive services by funding the construction and/or rehabilitation of projects to create apartments. In addition, these grants will subsidize rents for three years so that residents will pay only 30 percent of their adjusted incomes as rent.
Under the 8ll program, at least one person in the household must be at least 18 years old and have a disability,
such as a physical or developmental disability or chronic mental illness. The term "person with disability" also includes two or more people with disabilities living together, and one or more persons with disabilities living with one or more live-in attendants.
To be classified as "very low-income," a household income cannot exceed 50 percent of the area median income. However, most households that receive Section 811 assistance have an income less than 30 percent of the area median. Generally, this means that a one-person household will have an annual income of about $12,550.
HUD provides the Section 202 and Section 811 funds to non-profits in two forms:
- Capital advances. This is money that covers the cost of developing the housing. It does not need to be
repaid as long as the housing is available for at least 40 years for occupancy by very low-income seniors
(under Section 202) or very low-income people with disabilities (under Section 811). - Project rental assistance. This is money that goes to each non-profit group to cover the difference
between the residents' contributions toward rent and the cost of operating the project.
Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly
|
Project Location: Harrison, AR Non-Profit Sponsor: Northwest Regional Housing Dev Corp. Capital Advance: $1,234,000 Three-year rental subsidy: $117,600 Number of units: 14 Project Description: The funds will be used to construct 14 one-bedroom units of semi-detached houses for very-low-income elderly persons. The project is located in a racially mixed area, is in close proximity to shopping, and will enable the elderly to maintain their independence. The Community Building will be the focal point of the development where the delivery of supportive services will be provided as well as activities for socialization and education training and services. The complex will give residents access to safe, decent and affordable housing. |
|
Project Location: Pocahontas, AR Non-Profit Sponsor: Pocahontas Senior Housing Inc. Capital Advance: $1,234,000 Three-year rental subsidy: $117,600 Number of units: 14 Project Description: The funds will be used to construct 14 one-bedroom units of semi-detached row houses for very-low-income elderly persons. The project is located in a racially mixed area, is in close proximity to services, and will enable the elderly to maintain their independence. Supportive services as well as activities for socialization and education training and services will be provided in the Community Building. The complex will give residents access to safe, decent and affordable housing. |
Section 811 - Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities
|
Project Location: Forrest City, AR Non-Profit Sponsor: St. Francis Area Development Center, Inc. Capital Advance: $881,400 Three-year rental subsidy: $75,600 Number of units: 10 Project Description: The funds will be used to construct nine one-bedroom units of semi-detached row houses for very-low income persons with developmental disabilities and one-bedroom managers unit. The Community Building will be centered in the complex and will house the office, laundry, maintenance room and a common area for education, socialization and activities. The complex will give residents access to safe, decent and affordable housing. |
|
Project Location: Haskell, AR Non-Profit Sponsor: Birch Tree Communities Capital Advance: $881,400 Three-year rental subsidy: $84,000 Number of units: 10 Project Description: The funds will be used to construct 10 one-bedroom units of staggered row houses for very-low income persons with chronic mental illness. The site is in a semi-rural area across the street from the Arkansas Health Center and is in close proximity to shopping. The Community Building will be centered in the complex and will house the office, laundry, maintenance room and a common area for education, socialization and activities. The complex will give residents access to safe, decent and affordable housing. |
###
HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet
and espanol.hud.gov.
![[logo: Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity]](/images/fheo50.gif){kind=small}
