BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $8.4 MILLION TO HELP VERY LOW-INCOME ELDERLY AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN
OKLAHOMA
Ardmore, Hobart, Lawton, Oklahoma City and Shawnee Receive Housing Assistance Grants

FORT WORTH - It will soon be easier for senior citizens and people with disabilities to find affordable housing in Oklahoma, thanks to $8,434,100 in housing assistance grants announced today by U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Alphonso Jackson. Nationally, more than $643 million in grants was awarded. A list of the Oklahoma grantees and 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.

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly

Section 811 - Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities

Project Description:
The funds will be used to develop a 14 unit building for very low-income disabled residents. The site has access to churches, medical offices and recreational and shopping opportunities. An array of supportive services will be offered both on-site and off in order to help maximize residents' health, privacy and safety.
Contact: John Agnitsch, (404) 236-0413

Project Description:
The funds will be utilized to develop a project for 12 persons with disabilities, and will provide residents with decent, safe and sanitary housing.
Contact: Dan Hurley, (404) 275-3851

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