OBAMA ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES OVER $12 MILLION TO FUND HOUSING FOR VERY LOW-INCOME SENIORS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN GEORGIA

ATLANTA - Thousands more very low-income senior citizens and persons with disabilities in Georgia will have access to affordable supportive housing thanks to $12,801,200 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 Georgia more than 100 elderly households and persons with disabilities will be affordably housed with access to needed services. A detailed summary of Georgia 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 Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Jr. "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."

Section 202 Grant Awards

Section 811 Grant Awards

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.

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 espanol.hud.gov. You can also follow HUD on Twitter at @HUDnews or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.

Georgia

Section 202 - Supportive Housing for the Elderly

Project Location: Atlanta, GA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Mercy Housing Southeast
Capital Advance: $4,719,100
Three-year rental subsidy: $434,700
Number of units: 44

Project Description: The funds will be used to construct 43 one-bedroom units for very low income elderly persons and a one-bedroom, non-revenue manager's unit. The site is located in close proximity to transportation, medical facilities, grocery stores, and many amenities. Social activities and supportive services that will be available to residents at the project include health screenings, arts and crafts, and computer classes. The development will be energy efficient and will meet ENERGY STAR standards.

Project Location: Harlem, GA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Georgia Rehabilitation Institute, Inc.
Capital Advance: $816,000
Three-year rental subsidy: $81,000
Number of units: 8

Project Description: The funds will be used to construct 8 one-bedroom units for very low income elderly persons in the Harlem, Georgia area. The site is located in close proximity to several restaurants, grocery and retail stores and to public transportation that provides easy access to and from educational facilities, employment centers, shopping facilities, and medical facilities. Social activities and supportive services that will be available to all residents at the project will include health promotion events, social work visits, and recreational activities.

Project Location: Waycross, GA
Non-Profit Sponsor: VOA Southeast, Inc.
Capital Advance: $1,428,100
Three-year rental subsidy: $131,400
Number of units: 14

Project Description: The funds will be used to construct an additional 13 one-bedroom units for very low income elderly persons and 1 one-bedroom unit for an on-site manager. There will be a volunteer social service coordinator on-site. Residents will be offered home delivered meals, community care services, housekeeping/companionship activities, and health and wellness activities. Transportation will be provided for medical appointments, shopping, recreation, banking religious activities, and educational and social events.

Section 811 - Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities

Project Location: Augusta, GA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Georgia Rehabilitation Institute, Inc.
Capital Advance: $1,476,200
Three-year rental subsidy: $111,300
Number of units: 12

Project Description: The funds will be used to construct eleven two-bedroom units for very low-income persons with disabilities and one-two bedroom unit for a resident manager. The project is located in close proximity to medical facilities, restaurants, and less than a mile from many other amenities such as pharmacies, banks, and churches. The Augusta Public Transit is available to all residents. Supportive services will provide volunteer opportunities, employment options and transportation to a wide range of social and recreations options.

Project Location: Austell, GA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Right In The Community, Inc.
Capital Advance: $422,600
Three-year rental subsidy: $40,500
Number of units: 4

Project Description: The funds will be used to construct four one-bedroom units for very low-income persons with physical disabilities and one one-bedroom unit for a resident manager. The location is in close proximity to grocery stores, social service facilities, banks, and Cobb County sheltered workshop. Transportation van service will be provided to all residents. Supportive services include referral service, community care services provider, personal support and vocational support. The design of the group home will incorporate the concepts of Green Development.

Project Location: Austell, GA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Right In The Community, Inc.
Capital Advance: $422,600
Three-year rental subsidy: $40,500
Number of units: 4

Project Description: The funds will be used to construct four units for very low-income persons with physical disabilities. The project consists of four one-bedroom units and one one-bedroom unit for a resident manager. The location is in close proximity to services such as medical, shopping, and public transportation, Social activities and supportive services will include case coordination, advocacy, referral service, and recreation to all residents. The design of the group home will incorporate the concepts of Green Development.

Project Location: Milledgeville, GA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Georgia Behavioral Health Services, Inc.
Capital Advance: $1,224,100
Three-year rental subsidy: $121,500
Number of units: 12

Project Description: The funds will be used to construct twelve one-bedroom units for very low-income persons with physical disabilities. The location is in close proximity to a fire station, grocery store, and walking trail. Supportive services will be provided for structured activities, socialization, self advocacy, and maintenance of living skills. A 24 hour emergency assistance will be provided for residents who are experiencing crisis. Transportation will be provided to all residents. ENERGY STAR appliances will be utilized throughout the development.

Project Location: Oglethorpe, GA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Camellia Manor, Inc
Capital Advance: $615,100
Three-year rental subsidy: $50,700
Number of units: 5

Project Description: The funds will be used to construct five two-bedroom units for very low-income persons with physical disabilities. The project is accessible to social, recreational, educational and health facilities. Transportation will be provided to all residents. The Transit System is available as a door-to-door shuttle. Supportive Services and activities such as congregate meals, home delivered meals, group activities, workshops and wellness programs will be provided to all residents.

Project Location: Reynolds, GA
Non-Profit Sponsor: The Water Oaks, Inc
Capital Advance: $615,100
Three-year rental subsidy: $50,700
Number of units: 5

Project Description: The funds will be used to construct five two-bedroom units for very low-income persons with disabilities. The location is in close proximity to services and amenities such as hair salons, senior center, pharmacy, restaurants, and banks. Transportation is provided to and from doctor's appointments for all residents. Also, transportation is provided through the County Transit System. The transit system is available as a door-to-door shuttle. Basic residential support programs will provide training to enhance independent living skills.