HUD AWARDS FAMILIES UNITED FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING AND TUALATIN VALLEY HOUSING PARTNERS NEARLY $2 MILLION IN HOUSING FUNDS FOR DISABLED

PORTLAND - Tom Cusack, Portland Field Office Director for the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, announced today a capital advance of $1,597,500 to Families United For Independent Living and co-sponsor
Tualatin Valley Housing Partners to build a 15-unit independent living project for the developmentally disabled. An additional five-year rental subsidy of $221,000 is also a part of the overall grant. Residents will pay 30 percent of
their adjusted income for rent and the federal government will pay the rest from this subsidy.

The grant will enable Families United For Independent Living, a grassroots non profit organization, to work cooperatively with Tualatin Valley Housing Partners, HUD, Oregon Housing and Community Services, the City of Newberg, Integrated Services Network (ISN) and Resource Connections of Oregon to build a 15-unit apartment project based on the model of the successful 811 project, "The Bridge" in Beaverton, Oregon.

"The 811 development grant with its 40-year operating subsidy answers a need voiced over and over again in public meetings with people with developmental disabilities held statewide," who said, "We want to live independently, in safe, affordable housing in the community," said Carol Taylor, President of Families United For Independent Living.

Yamhill County currently lacks any suitable housing with supportive services for adults with developmental disabilities. These people have been forced to live in nursing homes or with family members. Those that are highly functioning have been denied their independence and become frustrated

"Americans with disabilities make contributions to our society every day," Cusack said, "and they should not have to worry about being able to afford a decent place to live. This grant will help achieve that goal."

The Oregon grant is part of $135.8 million nationally in HUD Section 811 grants. The Section 811 program provides housing for households with one or more very low-income individuals, at least one of whom is at least 18 years old and has a disability, such as a physical or developmental disability or chronic mental illness. The program allows persons with disabilities 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.

HUD provides the 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 people
  with disabilities.



• 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.

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; 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 as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet and espanol.hud.gov.

###