BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $740 MILLION TO HELP VERY LOW-INCOME ELDERLY AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
Florida receives $43.9 million

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Mel Martinez today announced that more than $740
million in housing assistance grants will be awarded this year to help the nation's very low-income elderly and people with disabilities. The grants include $593 million for the elderly and $146 million for people with disabilities. Florida receives a total of $43,918,500.

"This Administration is committed to making sure our senior citizens and people with disabilities have opportunities
for decent, safe and affordable places to live," Martinez said. "The money that we awarded today will go a long way toward achieving that goal."

Section 202 Grants (funding to assist very low-income elderly)

In addition to funding the construction and rehabilitation of projects to create apartments, HUD grants will subsidize rents for five 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, this means an income for a one-person household of less than $19,775 a year.

HUD provides two forms of Section 202 funds to non-profit groups:

• Capital advances. This money covers the cost of developing the housing. It does not need to be
  repaid if the housing is available for occupancy by very low-income seniors for at least 40 years.
  
  
• Project rental assistance. This money covers the difference between the resident's contribution
  toward rent and the cost of operating the project.

Section 811 Grants (funding 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 $11,865

HUD provides the 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 people
  with disabilities.
  
  
• 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, supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as
enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet.

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Florida

Section 202 - Supportive Housing for the Elderly

Project Location: Jacksonville, FL
Non-Profit Sponsor: The Salvation Army, a Georgia Corporation
Capital Advance: $4,029,500
Five-year rental subsidy: $760,500
Number of units: 60
Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct 59 one-bedroom units for very low-income elderly persons and a one-bedroom unit for a resident manager in a five-story building. The construction will incorporate visitability and universal design standards. The project will include a community room for social activities and a common laundry area. The site is in close proximity to medical services, shopping, banking, etc. Residents will receive a wide variety of supportive services which will allow them to live as independently as possible.

Project Location: Lakeland, FL
Non-Profit Sponsor: Presbytery of Tampa Bay
Capital Advance: $5,049,400
Five-year rental subsidy: $853,000
Number of units: 70
Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct 70 one-bedroom units for very low-income elderly persons in a three-story building. The construction will incorporate visitability and universal design standards. The project will include a community room for social activities and a common laundry area. The site is in close proximity to medical services, shopping, banking, etc. Residents will receive a variety of supportive services from a network of providers which
will allow them to live as independently as possible.

Project Location: Miami, FL
Non-Profit Sponsor: Greater Miami Neighborhoods
Capital Advance: $8,608,300
Five-year rental subsidy: $1,503,000
Number of units: 110
Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct 109, one-bedroom, units for the very low-income elderly and a two-bedroom
unit for a resident manager in a 15-story building. The construction will incorporate visitability and universal design standards. The project will include a community room for social activities and a common laundry area. The site is in close proximity to medical services, shopping, banking, etc. Residents will receive a wide variety of supportive services which will allow them to live as independently as possible.

Project Location: Orlando, FL
Non-Profit Sponsor: College Park Baptist Church
Co-Sponsor: Grand Ave Econ Comm Development
Capital Advance: $4,938,900
Five-year rental subsidy: $828,500
Number of units: 68
Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct 68 one-bedroom units for very low-income elderly persons in a five-story
building. The construction will incorporate visitability and universal design standards. The project will include a community room for social activities and a common laundry area. The site is in close proximity to medical services, shopping, banking, etc. Residents will receive a wide variety of supportive services from a network of providers
which will allow them to live as independently as possible.

Project Location: Palmetto, FL
Non-Profit Sponsor: Diocese of Venice
Capital Advance: $5,006,600
Five-year rental subsidy: $828,500
Number of units: 68
Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct 68 units for very low-income elderly persons. The project design features a
four-story building with 68 one-bedroom units. The construction will incorporate visitability and universal design standards. The project will include a community room for social activities and a common laundry area. The site is in close proximity to medical services, shopping, banking, etc. Residents will receive a wide variety of supportive services which will allow them to live as independently as possible.

Project Location: Pensacola, FL
Non-Profit Sponsor: Presbyterian Retirement Communities
Capital Advance: $3,216,700
Five-year rental subsidy: $683,000
Number of units: 53
Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct 53 units for very low-income elderly persons. The project design features a
one-story building with 53 one-bedroom units. The construction will incorporate visitability and universal design standards. The project will include a community room for social activities and a common laundry area. The site is in close proximity to medical services, shopping, banking, etc. Residents will receive a wide variety of supportive services which will allow them to live as independently as possible.

Project Location: Pensacola, FL
Non-Profit Sponsor: AHEPA National Housing Corporation
Capital Advance: $3,034,600
Five-year rental subsidy: $644,500
Number of units: 50
Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct 50 units for very low-income elderly persons. The project design features a
three-story building with 50 one-bedroom units. The construction will incorporate visitability and universal design standards and will include a community room for social activities and a common laundry area. The site is in close proximity to medical services, shopping, banking, etc. Residents will receive a wide variety of supportive services
from a network of providers which will allow them to live as independently as possible.

Project Location: Tallahassee, FL
Non-Profit Sponsor: Miracle Hill Nursing & Conv.
Center Co-Sponsor: J.H. Floyd Sunshine Manor, Inc.
Capital Advance: $2,801,700
Five-year rental subsidy: $567,000
Number of units: 45
Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct 44 one-bedroom units for very low-income elderly persons and a two-bedroom unit for a resident manager in a three-story building. The project will include a community room for social activities and a common laundry area. The site is in close proximity to medical services, shopping, banking, etc. Residents will receive a wide variety of supportive services from a network of providers in the community which will allow them to live as independently as possible. Section 811 - Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities

Project Location: Melbourne, FL
Non-Profit Sponsor: Abilities of Florida, Inc.
Capital Advance: $479,300
Five-year rental subsidy: $85,500
Number of units: 7
Project Description:
The funds will be used to acquire and rehabilitate seven (7) units for very low-income persons with physical disabilities. The project consists of 5 one-bedroom and 2 two-bedroom condominium units scattered throughout
an existing condominium complex. The location is in close proximity to required services, such as medical, shopping, and public transportation, etc. This integrated model allows the residents to blend in the surrounding community
yet provides the accessibility features that allow them to live as independently as possible.