OBAMA ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES NEARLY $3.7 MILLION TO FUND HOUSING FOR VERY LOW-INCOME SENIORS IN FLINT

DETROIT - More very low-income senior citizens in Flint, Michigan will have access to affordable supportive housing thanks to nearly $3.7 million in housing assistance announced today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This grant will help provide 24 units of accessible housing, offer rental assistance, and facilitate supportive services for the elderly.

This grant was awarded under HUD's Section 202 Supportive Housing program which has funded construction or major rehabilitation for more than 103 housing developments in 42 states and Puerto Rico. In November 2011, HUD awarded Michigan nearly $22 million to provide affordable housing and access to needed services for the elderly.

"The Obama Administration is committed to helping our senior citizens 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 this supportive housing program 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."

"This grant will provide Flint with 24 more units of safe, affordable and supportive housing for senior citizens, with the added benefit of creating jobs to help the local economy," said Antonio R. Riley, HUD's Midwest Regional Administrator.

The funds announced today will be used to construct 24 one-bedroom units of supportive housing for very low income elderly persons. More than $3,355,000 will be provided to help support construction which another $307,000 will subsidize rents in the development for the next five years. The project includes a community room, library, computer room as well as a fitness lounge suitable for individual exercise to meet wellness standards. The basic principles of universal design and visitability have been applied to the design of the project.

This year, Section 202 Capital Advances will provide $573 million to 103 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 $56 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 residents.

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 202 assistance earn less than 30 percent of the median for their area. Generally, this means that in Flint, a one-person household will have an annual income of about $12,250.

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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.