OBAMA ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES $35.4 MILLION TO FUND HOUSING FOR VERY LOW-INCOME SENIORS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN MARYLAND

BALTIMORE - Thousands more very low-income senior citizens and persons with disabilities in Maryland will have access to affordable supportive housing thanks to $35.4 million in housing assistance announced today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These grants will help non-profit organizations produce accessible housing, offer rental assistance, and facilitate supportive services for the elderly and persons with disabilities.

The grant funding awarded under HUD's Sections 202 and 811 Supportive Housing programs will kick start
construction or major rehabilitation for more than 170 housing developments in 42 different states and Puerto Rico.
In Maryland, more than 55 elderly households and persons with disabilities will be affordably housed with access to needed services. A detailed summary of Maryland grants is attached to this release.

"The Obama Administration is committed to helping our senior citizens and persons with disabilities find a decent, affordable place to live that is close to needed healthcare services and transportation," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "Recent bipartisan changes to these two supportive housing programs will allow us to better serve some of our more vulnerable populations who would otherwise be struggling to find a safe and decent home of their own."

Enacted early this year with strong bipartisan support, the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act and the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act provided needed enhancements and reforms to both programs. Nonprofit grant recipients will now receive federal assistance that is better leveraged and better connected to state and local health care investments, allowing greater numbers of vulnerable elderly and disabled individuals to access the housing they need even more quickly.

"As our seniors live out their golden years and disabled individuals live in accessible units, it's important that we provide affordable housing and the supportive services they need to maintain their quality of life," said HUD Regional Administrator Jane C.W. Vincent. "The Section 202 and 811 grants help to ensure that senior citizens and people
with disabilities can live independently with assistance to enjoy the amenities of their communities with access to
the necessities to maintaining their health."

Section 202 Capital Advances will provide $545 million nationwide to 97 projects in 42 States and Puerto. In addition to funding the construction, acquisition, and rehabilitation of multifamily developments, HUD's Section 202 program
will also provide $54 million in rental assistance so that residents only pay 30 percent of their adjusted incomes. Section 202 provides very low-income elderly persons 62 years of age or older with the opportunity to live independently in an environment that provides support services to frail elderly resident.

Section 811 Capital Advances will provide $137 million nationwide to assist very low-income persons with disabilities through 92 projects in 35 states. An additional $12.6 million will be available for project rental assistance contracts. Most of the housing supported through the Section 811 Program will be newly constructed, typically small apartment buildings, group homes for three to four persons, or condominium units that are integrated into the larger community. Residents will pay 30 percent of their adjusted income for rent and the federal government will pay the rest.

HUD's Section 811 program provides housing for households with one or more very low-income individuals with a disability. Under this program at least one person must be 18 years or older and have a physical or developmental disability or chronic mental illness. The program provides persons with disabilities the opportunity to live independently in their communities by increasing the supply of rental housing with the availability of supportive services.

HUD provides these funds to non-profit organizations in two forms:

• Capital Advances. This is funding that covers the cost of developing, acquiring, or rehabilitating the development. Repayment is not required as long as the housing remains available for occupancy by very
  low-income elderly persons for at least 40 years for (under Section 202) or very low-income persons with disabilities (under Section 811).
   
• Project Rental Assistance Contracts. This is funding that goes to each development to cover the difference between the residents' contributions toward rent and the cost of operating the project.
  
  Residents must be "very low income" with household incomes less than 50 percent of their median for that
  area. However, most households that receive Section 811 or Section 202 assistance earn less than 30
  percent of the median for their area. Generally, this means that a one-person household will have an annual
  income of about $13,500.

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HUD's mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and  transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and http://espanol.hud.gov.  You can also follow HUD on twitter @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.

Maryland

Section 202 - Supportive Housing for the Elderly

Project Location: Baltimore, MD
Non-Profit Sponsor: Associated Catholic Charities
Capital Advance: $10,520,600
Three-year rental subsidy: $1,068,300
Number of units: 86
Project Description: The funds will be used to construct 86 additional one-bedroom units for very low-income
elderly persons on the existing site that will welcome the approved 94-mixed financed elderly project. The site is in close proximity to two Shopping Centers and transportation will be provided for shopping, medical appointments and other necessary destinations. The sponsor has committed to promoting Energy Efficiency by using ENERGY STAR labeled appliances and water conservation fixtures. The project will offer a Service Coordinator.

Project Location: Baltimore, MD
Non-Profit Sponsor: CSI Support and Development Services
Capital Advance: $6,999,400
Three-year rental subsidy: $695,700
Number of units: 57
Project Description: The funds will be used to construct an additional 56 one-bedroom units for very low-income elderly persons near the existing Arlington Estates Co-op campus in Baltimore City, Maryland. The Cooperative Managed project will allow the future residents to stay actively involved in a wide range of management activities. The project will offer various social services, food services, and curb-to-curb transportation. The project will be located in close proximity to shopping, public transportation and will incorporate a green design.

Project Location: Baltimore, MD
Non-Profit Sponsor: Associated Jewish Federation
Capital Advance: $7,340,000
Three-year rental subsidy: $745,200
Number of units: 60
Project Description: The funds will be used to construct 60 one-bedroom units for very low-income elderly persons in the Park Heights neighborhood of Baltimore City, Maryland. The funded project is the first major redevelopment initiative in the Park Heights community. The sponsor has committed to construct and operate it based on ENERGY STAR and indoor air quality standards. A Service Coordinator is being provided on-site to help residents access available services. These services include meal programs, promoting good health and wellness and independent living.

Project Location: Emmitsburg, MD
Non-Profit Sponsor: Ho for America, Inc.
Capital Advance: $3,792,300
Three-year rental subsidy: $385,200
Number of units: 31
Project Description: The funds will be used to demolish and renovate 43 one-bedroom units for very low-income elderly persons on the existing Daughters of Charity Campus in Emmitsburg, Maryland. 31 Units will be funded under the Section 202 program, and 12 units will be funded using Low Income Housing Tax Credits. The project has
excellent access to commercial and public service amenities, which can be accessed by local shuttle services. The sponsor will promote Energy Efficiency by using ENERGY STAR labeled appliances and water conservation fixtures.

Section 811 - Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities

Project Location: Frederick, MD
Non-Profit Sponsor: Way Station
Capital Advance: $1,128,000
Three-year rental subsidy: $99,600
Number of units: 8
Project Description: The funds will be used to acquire and rehabilitate eight units for very low-income persons with chronic mental illness. The project consists of a seven two-bedroom independent living project and one two-bedroom condominium units scattered throughout an existing condominium complex. The location is in close proximity to services such as medical, shopping and public transportation. This integrated model allows residents to blend into the surrounding community yet provides the accessibility features and the availability of supportive services.

Project Location: Germantown, MD
Non-Profit Sponsor: Vesta, Inc.
Capital Advance: $1,534,900
Three-year rental subsidy: $126,600
Number of units: 10
Project Description: The funds will be used to acquire and rehabilitate ten units for very low-income persons with chronic mental illness. This scattered site project consists of three group homes serving 10 residents with chronic mental illness. With a goal of providing quality housing and opportunities to live independently, an array of supportive services are available to maximize the resident's independence. The project will be rehabilitated using green
standards and will incorporate energy efficiency measures using ENERGY STAR standards.

Project Location: Takoma Park, MD
Non-Profit Sponsor: Montgomery County Coalition
Capital Advance: $917,600
Three-year rental subsidy: $88,800
Number of units: 7
Project Description: The funds will be used to acquire and rehabilitate seven units for very low-income persons with chronic mental illness. The project consists of 5 one-bedroom units and 1 efficiency located in an independent living project and one one-bedroom condominium unit scattered throughout an existing condominium complex. This integrated model allows residents to gain the benefits of community integration. The project will provide the accessibility features and the availability of supportive services that allow them to live independently.