HUD Archives: News Releases


HUD Region VI: No. 12-12
Patricia Campbell: (817) 978-59784
Scott Hudman: (713) 718-3107
Follow all the news in TX, LA, AR, NM and OK on Twitter @HUDSouthwest
For Release
Wednesday
November 16, 2011

HUD ANNOUNCES $7 MILLION TO FUND HOUSING FOR VERY LOW-INCOME SENIORS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN LOUISIANA
Shreveport and Sulphur Receive Grants

NEW ORLEANS - More very low-income senior citizens and persons with disabilities in Louisiana will have access to affordable supportive housing thanks to $7,084,100 in housing assistance announced today by the U.S. Department
of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These grants will help eight 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 nationally for more than 170 housing developments in 42 different states and Puerto Rico. A detailed summary of the Louisiana grants follows.

"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 Secretary Shaun Donovan. "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."

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.

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. Nationally, today's Section 202 Capital Advances will provide $545 million 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.

HUD's Section 811 program provides housing for households with one or more very low-income individuals with a disability. Nationally, today's Section 811 Capital Advances will provide $137 million 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.

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.

Residents for both programs 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.

Louisiana projects receiving grants:

Section 202 - Supportive Housing for the Elderly

Project Location: Shreveport, LA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Volunteers of America National Services
Capital Advance: $5,578,900
Three-year rental subsidy: $483,900
Number of units: 50
Project Description: The funds will be used to construct a single three-story building with 49 one-bedroom units
and a two-bedroom unit for the site manager. A Service Coordinator will be utilized to assist the elderly residents' access available services as needed. The building will have an entrance/lounge area supporting seating for residents. The building will provide universal design features. The lobby/lounge area will be adjacent to elevator, management offices, and community room w/ party kitchen, a TV lounge area, arts/crafts room and central laundry room.

Section 811 - Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities

Project Location: Sulphur, LA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Calcasieu Association for Retarded Citizens
Capital Advance: $944,500
Three-year rental subsidy: $76,800
Number of units: 9
Project Description: The funds will be used to construct 5 one-story buildings with 8 one-bedroom units and 1 two-bedroom unit for resident manager. The buildings will be developed cottage style duplexes and include an office, amenity and community spaces. Residents will have access to a multipurpose room for activities on site, exercise area, and space will be available as resource room for library/computer training-station/counseling/education/job readiness room or for support service providers. Transportation will be provided for other day activities/trips.

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

 

Content Archived: June 24, 2013