OBAMA ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $26 MILLION TO HELP FLORIDA'S VERY LOW-INCOME ELDERLY AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

MIAMI - Senior citizens and persons with disabilities in Florida will soon be able to find additional affordable housing, thanks to $26,158,900 in housing assistance announced today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding will provide interest-free capital advances to non-profit developers so they can produce accessible housing, offer rental assistance, and provide supportive services for the elderly and persons with disabilities.

Nationwide, more than $550 million were announced today. They are provided through HUD’s Section 202 and
Section 811 Supporting Housing programs and will fund 169 projects in 46 states. See below a detailed summary of Florida’s grants.

"The Obama Administration is committed to making sure our senior citizens and persons with disabilities have opportunities to live in decent, affordable homes," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "Neither of these groups should ever have to worry about being able to find a safe place to live."

"This funding will help ensure that our senior citizens and persons with disabilities are cared for with decent,
affordable and accessible places to live," said HUD's Southeast Region Regional Administrator Edward Jennings, Jr.

HUD’s Section 202 Capital Advance Program expands the supply of affordable housing with supportive services for
the elderly. It 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.

In addition to funding the construction, acquisition, and rehabilitation of multifamily developments, HUD’s Section
202 program also provides Project Rental Assistance Contract (PRAC) funds to subsidize the rents so that residents only pay 30 percent of their adjusted incomes.

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. Section 202 Capital Advance

Capital advance funds are awarded under HUD’s Section 811 program, providing 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 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 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. Section 811 Capital Advance

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 $13,450.

HUD provides the Section 202 and Section 811 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 Contract (PRAC). This is funding that goes to each development to cover
  the difference between the residents’ contributions toward rent and the HUD-approved cost of operating
  the project.

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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 espanol.hud.gov.

Section 202 - Supportive Housing for the Elderly

Project Location: Fort Myers, FL
Non-Profit Sponsor: Diocese of Venice
Capital Advance: $9,724,600
Three-year rental subsidy: $691,200
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 three-story building with 68 one-bedroom units. The construction will incorporate energy efficient features, as well as, visitability and universal design standards. The project will include a community room for social activities and a common laundry area. Residents will have access to a wide variety of supportive services that will allow them to live as independently as possible.

Project Location: Pembroke Pines, FL
Non-Profit Sponsor: Miami Jewish Home Hospital
Capital Advance: $10,634,700
Three-year rental subsidy: $762,300
Number of units: 75
Project Description: The funds will be used to construct 75 units for very low-income elderly persons. The project design features a three-story building with 75 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 have access to a wide variety of supportive services that will allow them to live as independently as possible.

Section 811 - Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities

Project Location: Clearwater, FL
Non-Profit Sponsor: Abilities of Florida Inc.
Capital Advance: $1,083,600
Three-year rental subsidy: $72,000
Number of units: 8
Project Description: The funds will be used to acquire and rehabilitate 8 units for very low-income persons with physical disabilities. The project consists of 7one-bedroom units, and 1 two-bedroom unit scattered throughout an existing condominium complex. The location is in close proximity to required services, such as medical, shopping,
and public transportation. 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.

Project Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Non-Profit Sponsor: Boley Centers, Inc.
Capital Advance: $1,816,200
Three-year rental subsidy: $125,700
Number of units: 14
Project Description: The funds will be used to construct 14 one-bedroom units for very low-income persons with chronic mental illness. The development will incorporate visitability and universal design, as well as energy efficient features. The location is in close proximity to services such as medical, shopping and public transportation.
Residents will have access to the necessary supportive services that will enable them to live as independently as possible.

Project Location: St. Petersburg, FL
Non-Profit Sponsor: Boley Centers, Inc.
Capital Advance: $1,167,600
Three-year rental subsidy: $81,000
Number of units: 9
Project Description: The funds will be used to construct 9 one-bedroom units for very low-income persons with chronic mental illness. The development will incorporate visitability and universal design, as well as energy efficient features. The location is in close proximity to services such as medical, shopping and public transportation.
Residents will have access to the necessary supportive services that will enable them to live as independently as possible.