HUD Archives: News Releases


HUD No. 06-145
Lemar Wooley
(202) 708-0685
For Release
Thursday
November 2, 2006

BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $633 MILLION TO HELP VERY LOW-INCOME ELDERLY AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Secretary Jackson announces $12.1 million for Arizona

WASHINGTON, DC - Thousands of additional senior citizens and people with disabilities will soon be able to find affordable housing, thanks to more than $633 million in housing assistance announced today by HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson.

"These grants will help the nation's very low-income elderly and people with disabilities 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."

Arizona grants include more than $9.3 million in Section 202 grants for very low-income elderly, and $2.8 million in Section 811 grants for very low-income people with disabilities. (see list)

Section 202 Grants ($511.9 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. It provides 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.

In addition to funding the construction and rehabilitation of projects to create apartments, HUD Section 202 grants will subsidize rents for three years so that residents will pay only 30 percent of their adjusted incomes as rent.

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 ($121.3 million nationwide to assist very low-income people with disabilities)

This housing, most of which will be newly constructed, typically is small apartment buildings, group homes for three
to four people per home, or condominium units. Residents will pay 30 percent of their adjusted income for rent and
the federal government will pay the rest.

The grants are awarded under HUD's Section 811 program, which provides housing for households with one or more very low-income individuals, at least one of whom is at least 18 years old and has a disability, such as a physical or developmental disability or chronic mental illness. The term "person with disabilities" 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. The program allows persons with disabilities to live independently in their communities by increasing the supply of rental housing with the availability of supportive services.

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.

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.

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Section 202 - Supportive Housing for Low-Income Elderly
   
Project Location: Tucson, AZ
Non-Profit Sponsor: Community Services of Southern Arizona
Co-Sponsor: Tucson Housing Foundation, Inc.
Capital Advance: $4,678,100
Three-year rental subsidy: $519,900
Number of units: 56
Project Description:
Catholic Community Services of Southern Arizona and Tucson Housing Foundation, Inc. have formed a partnership in order to provide 56 units of housing for very-low income elderly in Tucson, Arizona. There will be a Neighborhood Network facility and Service Coordinator to oversee the wellness and independence of the residents as their needs change.
   
Project Location: Tucson, AZ
Non-Profit Sponsor: Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc.
Capital Advance: $4,678,100
Three-year rental subsidy: $352,800
Number of units: 38
Project Description:
Chicanos Por La Causa, Inc. will construct a 38-unit development for very low- income elderly persons. The units are for expansion to an existing 202 project, Casa del Pueblo. There is need for elderly housing, occupancy is at 100% at Casa del Pueble and the estimated waiting list is 18-24 months.
   
 
Section 811 - Supportive Housing for Low-Income Persons with Disabilities
 
Project Location: Mesa, AZ
Non-Profit Sponsor: Accessible Space, Inc.
Capital Advance: $1,462,400
Three-year rental subsidy: $157,800
Number of units: 18
Project Description:
The Sponsor, Accessible Space Inc. is demonstrating a continuing effort to meet the needs of persons with disabilities in Mesa, East Valley, the State of Arizona and the Maricopy County area. ASI will provide subsidized housing and a broad range of services to very-low income adults 18 years and older with severe physical disabilities and brain injuries.
   
Project Location: Phoenix, AZ
Non-Profit Sponsor: New Arizona Family, Inc.
Capital Advance: $1,462,600
Three-year rental subsidy: $130,200
Number of units: 14
Project Description:
The Sponsor, New Arizona Family is demonstrating a continuing effort to meet the needs of persons with disabilities in Phoenix and the State of Arizona and the Maricopy County area. New Arizona Family will provide independent living housing and a broad range of services to very-low income adults 18 years and older with chronic mental illness.

Note: State-by-state breakdown of individual grant summaries is available on HUD's Website.

 

 
Content Archived: March 11, 2011