BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $16.2 MILLION TO HELP VERY LOW-INCOME ELDERLY AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN
LOUISIANA
Albany, Basile, Bastrop, Chataignier, Eunice, Monroe, New Orleans and Vinton Receive Housing Assistance Grants

NEW ORLEANS - It will soon be easier for senior citizens and people with disabilities to find affordable housing in Louisiana, thanks to more than $16,297,600 million in housing assistance grants announced today by U.S. Housing
and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson. A list of the Louisiana grantees with project summaries follows.

"This Administration is committed to making sure our senior citizens and people with disabilities have opportunities
to find decent housing that they can afford," said Jackson. "Neither group should ever have to worry about being
able to find a safe place to live."

Section 202 Grants ($518.9 million nationwide to assist very low-income elderly)

HUD's Section 202 grants program helps expand the supply of affordable housing with supportive services for the elderly by funding the construction and/or rehabilitation of projects to create apartments. In addition, these grants will subsidize rents for three years so that residents will pay only 30 percent of their adjusted incomes as rent. Section 202 grants provide very low-income elderly with options that allow them to live independently but in an environment that provides support activities such as cleaning, cooking, and transportation.

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 $20,850 a year.

Section 811 Grants ($124.8 million nationwide to assist very low-income people with disabilities)

HUD's Section 811 program allows persons with disabilities to live independently in their communities by increasing
the supply of rental housing with the availability of supportive services by funding the construction and/or rehabilitation of projects to create apartments. In addition, these grants will subsidize rents for three years so that residents will pay only 30 percent of their adjusted incomes as rent.

Under the 811 program, at least one person in the household must be at least 18 years old and have a disability,
such as a physical or developmental disability or chronic mental illness. The term "person with disability" 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.

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 $12,550.

HUD provides the Section 202 and 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
  seniors (under Section 202) or very low-income people with disabilities (under Section 811).
  
  
• 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.

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Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly

Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct a one-story building with eight one-bedroom units. The site is within distance
of shopping centers, businesses, community services, hospitals, parks, and restaurants. All community services are within four miles. The sponsor and third party support service providers will provide transportation and supportive services to tenants.

Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct 11 one-bedroom and one two-bedroom managers unit in one building. The
location and design will facilitate the integration of the residents into the surrounding community. The sponsor will provide transportation and supportive services to tenants. All required community services are within one mile of
the building. This site is well related to the surrounding residential units in this expanding growth area of the city.

Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct 36 one-bedroom units, in nine single-story buildings. This is a third phase of
the development that was funded in 1999 and 2002. The buildings will be located in an area that contains access
to grocery, retail shopping, and public transportation. The site is also across from a park and newly constructed recreation/senior center. The building will have a management office, community room and center. The sponsor
has made arrangements for supportive services for residents in place.

Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct a three-story building with 44 one-bedroom units for the very low-income
elderly. The building will include maintenance, amenity spaces and community spaces. The proposed project will be designed in an effort to support a self-sufficient atmosphere and provide services for the changing needs of the residents.

Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct a one-story building with 11 one-bedroom units and one two-bedroom unit for
a resident manager. The building will include a management office, maintenance, amenity spaces and community spaces. The site will be located in an area of single family homes. The site is within convenient distance of
shopping, post office, medical offices, dental offices, businesses, community services, churches, schools, and
parks. The sponsor will provide transportation and supportive services to tenants.

Section 811 - Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities

Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct an independent living facility with 14 one-bedroom units for very low-income persons with physical disabilities and one two-bedroom unit for a resident manager. In addition, there will be office, maintenance, amenity, and community spaces. All common space areas will be fully handicapped accessible and the design will facilitate access for long term delivery of supportive services. The apartment complex will be located in Unit 2 of Higman Park Subdivision on Nelda Street in Bastrop, Louisiana.

Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct an independent living facility with 16 one-bedroom units for very low-income persons with physical disabilities. There will be a single building that will include an office, maintenance, amenity spaces and community spaces. The building will be fully handicapped accessible and the universal design will
facilitate access for the long term delivery of supportive services. It will be located in a new growth area where
other development and park facilities are taking place.

Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct 15 one-bedroom units for very low-income persons with physical disabilities and one two-bedroom unit for a resident manager. The building will be a one-story building with amenities, community, service spaces, and a multipurpose room. All community services are within one mile. This independent living project will allow residents to blend into the surrounding community and yet allow the sponsor to provide transportation and supportive services that will allow persons with disabilities to live independently.

Project Description:
These funds will be used to construct 5 one-bedroom units and one two-bedroom unit for the on-site manager.
This will be a one-story building that will include an office, maintenance, amenity spaces and community spaces.
All of the supportive services are within two blocks. This location and design will facilitate the integration of the residents into the surrounding community. The sponsor will provide transportation and supportive services to residents.