OBAMA ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $4.6 MILLION TO HELP OKLAHOMA'S VERY LOW-INCOME ELDERLY AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

FORTH WORTH - Senior citizens and persons with disabilities in Oklahoma will soon be able to find additional
affordable housing, thanks to more than $4.6 million in housing assistance announced today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The funding will provide interest-free capital advances to non-profit developers so they can produce accessible housing, offer rental assistance, and provide supportive services for the elderly and persons with disabilities.

Nationwide, more than $550 million in grants were announced today. They are provided through HUD's Section 202 and Section 811 Supporting Housing programs and will fund 169 projects in 46 states. Awards in Oklahoma include:

Please see the attachment below for a summary of the grants awarded in Oklahoma.

"The Obama Administration is committed to making sure our senior citizens and persons with disabilities have opportunities to live in decent, affordable homes," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "Neither of these groups should ever have to worry about being able to find a safe place to live."

Section 202 Capital Advance ($454.5 million nationwide to assist very low-income elderly)

HUD's Section 202 Capital Advance Program expands the supply of affordable housing with supportive services for
the elderly. It 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.

In addition to funding the construction, acquisition, and rehabilitation of multifamily developments, HUD's Section
202 program also provides Project Rental Assistance Contract (PRAC) funds to subsidize the rents so that residents only pay 30 percent of their adjusted incomes.

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 $22,400 a year.

Section 811 Capital Advance ($95.7 million nationwide to assist very low-income with disabilities)

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

Capital advance funds are awarded under HUD's Section 811 program, providing housing for households with one or more very low-income individuals with a disability. 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 term "person with disabilities" 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. 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.

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 $13,450.

HUD provides the Section 202 and Section 811 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 Contract (PRAC). This is funding that goes to each development to cover the difference between the residents' contributions toward rent and the HUD-approved cost of operating
  the project.
  

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HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to sustaining homeownership; 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 and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.

Section 202 - Supportive Housing for the Elderly

Project Location: Seminole, OK
Non-Profit Sponsor: Central Oklahoma Community Action
Capital Advance: $1,244,200
Three-year rental subsidy: $105,600
Number of units: 12
Project Description: The funds will provide for the new construction of seven one-story buildings into 12 units of affordable housing for the elderly. The building design will offer the tenants ample room to move about with ease.
The community center will consist of an office, safe room, laundry, bathrooms, kitchen and a community room. The community room will have a library and media center with computers. The facility will be located near a golf course, sports areas, a park and a walking trail.

Project Location: Shawnee, OK
Non-Profit Sponsor: Native American Housing Services
Capital Advance: $2,059,600
Three-year rental subsidy: $182,100
Number of units: 20
Project Description: The funds will provide for the new construction of 20 units for very low-income elderly. The building design will offer the tenants ample room to move about with ease. The community center will consist of an office, safe room, laundry, bathrooms, kitchen and a community room. The community room will have a library and media center with computers. Parking will be located close to the front door of each apartment. The facility will be located near a golf course, sports areas, a park and a walking trail.

Section 811 - Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities

Project Location: Lawton, OK
Non-Profit Sponsor: Quality Enterprises of Lawton, Inc
Capital Advance: $477,100
Three-year rental subsidy: $57,600
Number of units: 6
Project Description: The funds will provide for the new construction of a group home consisting of a one-story, 6-unit group home for the developmentally disabled. The group home will be a fully handicap accessible building, with a social room, group kitchen, storage room, mechanical room and a safe room. Provision will be made for all necessary features and requirements to meet the needs and safety of the residents over the lifetime of the project and to facilitate the availability of supportive services.

Project Location: Wilburton, OK
Non-Profit Sponsor: Kibois Community Action Foundation, Incorporated
Capital Advance: $440,600
Three-year rental subsidy: $59,100
Number of units: 6
Project Description: The funds will provide for the new construction of a group home that will consist of 6 units for the developmentally disabled. The group home will enable individuals who have resided in institutional environments, such as residential care facilities, hospitals or boarding houses, to live more independently in the community and improve their integration into the community at large.