BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $14 MILLION FOR HOUSING FOR VERY LOW-INCOME ELDERLY AND PEOPLE WITH
DISABILITIES IN LOUISIANA
Abbeville, DeQuincy, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Sunset, Grand Coteau, Jennings and New Orleans Receive Grants

FORT WORTH - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson has announced that more than $789 million in housing assistance grants will be awarded nationally this year to help the nation's very low-income elderly and people with disabilities. In Louisiana, Abbeville, DeQuincy, Lafayette, Lake Charles, Sunset, Grand Coteau, Jennings, and New Orleans received grants totaling $14,185,900. A list of the projects follows.

"President Bush is committed to making sure our senior citizens and people with disabilities have opportunities to live
in decent, safe and affordable homes," Jackson said. "The grants that we awarded today will certainly help in achieving that goal."

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

Section 202 grants fund the construction of projects and rehabilitation of units to create apartments for very low-income elderly persons. In addition, HUD subsidizes rents for five years so that residents 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 $20,125 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)

HUD's Section 811 program provides housing for households with one or more very low-income individuals, at least
one of whom must be at least 18 years old and have a disability, such as a physical or developmental disability or chronic mental illness. 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.

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 pay 30 percent of their adjusted income for rent and the federal government will pay the rest.

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 $12,075.

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; and 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 and espanol.hud.gov.

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Section 202 - Supportive Housing for the Elderly

Project Location: Abbeville, LA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Diocese of Lafayette
Capital Advance: $1,002,200
Five-year rental subsidy: $184,500
Number of units: 15
Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct 14 one-bedroom units for very low-income elderly persons and a two-bedroom unit for a resident manager. The Sponsor and support service providers are committed to providing transportation
and supportive services to tenants. The location of the site will permit tenants to be conveniently integrated into
the community's social life through social events, community activities, shopping and health care needs.

Project Location: DeQuincy, LA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Calcasieu Council on Aging
Capital Advance: $949,400
Five-year rental subsidy: $184,500
Number of units: 15
Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct 14 one-bedroom units for very low-income elderly persons. There will also be a two-bedroom unit for an on-site manager. The site will be located on a tract in an expansion area surrounded by medium income single-family homes. Each apartment will have one off-street parking space available. All required community services are within one mile. The Sponsor is already committed to providing transportation and
supportive services to tenants.

Project Location: Grand Coteau, LA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Diocese of Lafayette
Capital Advance: $1,002,200
Five-year rental subsidy: $184,500
Number of units: 15
Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct affordable, safe, secure, and sanitary 14 one-bedroom units for very-low
income elderly persons. There will also be a two-bedroom unit for an onsite manager. The site is within a convenient distance of shopping centers, businesses, employment opportunities, community services, churches, hospitals, schools, parks, and restaurants. Each apartment will have one off-street parking space available. There will be a covered loading area for use during bad weather near the main entrance.

Project Location: Jennings, LA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Presbytery of South Louisiana
Capital Advance: $949,400
Five-year rental subsidy: $184,500
Number of units: 15
Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct 14 one-bedroom units for very low-income elderly persons and a two-bedroom unit for a resident manager. The location of the site will permit tenants to be conveniently integrated into the community's social life through church activities, social events, community activities, school functions, shopping
and health care needs utilizing the transportation provided by the Sponsor. Community events are held within three miles of the site. The Sponsor will be providing supportive services.

Project Location: New Orleans, LA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Cornerstone Ministries of Louisiana, Inc.
Capital Advance: $4,512,900
Five-year rental subsidy: $843,500
Number of units: 64
Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct 64 one-bedroom units in a single three-story, elevator-served building for
very-low income elderly persons. There are three supermarkets, a hospital and a wide range of churches located within one and a half miles. The site is near several existing social and activity centers for elderly persons. Public transportation is available.

Section 811 - Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities

Project Location: Lafayette, LA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Greater Acadiana Community Housing Dev. Corp.
Capital Advance: $1,002,200
Five-year rental subsidy: $184,500
Number of units: 15
Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct 14 one-bedroom units for very low-income persons with physical disabilities
and a two-bedroom unit for the resident manager. All required community services are within two miles. The Sponsor will provide transportation and supportive services to tenants and have convenient long-term access to the site and buildings. Public transportation is available one block from the site. COLT will provide economical scheduled transportation for t he tenants.

Project Location: Lake Charles, LA
Non-Profit Sponsor: NAMI - Southwest Louisiana
Capital Advance: $1,511,400
Five-year rental subsidy: $303,500
Number of units: 24
Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct 23 one-bedroom units for very low-income chronically mentally ill persons, in
an independent living project. There will be a two-bedroom unit for an onsite manager. The apartment will include amenities, community and service spaces for maintenance, janitor and supply closet, multi-purpose room, laundry room, resource room, and exercise room. This site is within a convenient distance of shopping centers, community services, churches, hospitals, schools, parks and restaurants.

Project Location: Sunset, LA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Diocese of Lafayette
Capital Advance: $1,002,200
Five-year rental subsidy: $184,500
Number of units: 15
Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct available, affordable, and safe 14 one-bedroom units for very low-income
persons with disabilities. There will be a two-bedroom unit for an onsite manager. The site's location is within one
and a half miles of required community services. This site is well related to the existing and new residential units in this expanding growth area of the city. There will be paved parking with one parking space for each apartment plus two spaces for staff and visitors.