OBAMA ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES $28.6 MILLION TO FUND HOUSING FOR VERY LOW-INCOME SENIORS AND PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES IN PENNSYLVANIA

PITTSBURGH - Thousands more very low-income senior citizens and persons with disabilities in Pennsylvania will have access to affordable supportive housing thanks to $28.6 million in housing assistance announced today by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These grants will help 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 for more than 170 housing developments in 42 different states and Puerto Rico.
In Pennsylvania, more than 170 elderly households and persons with disabilities will be affordably housed with access to needed services. A detailed summary of Pennsylvania grants is attached to this release.

"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."

Enacted early this year with strong bipartisan support, the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act and the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act provided needed enhancements and reforms to both programs. Nonprofit grant recipients will now receive federal assistance that is better leveraged and better connected to state and local health care investments, allowing greater numbers of vulnerable elderly and disabled individuals to access the housing they need even more quickly.

"As our seniors live out their golden years and disabled individuals live in accessible units, it's important that we provide affordable housing and the supportive services they need to maintain their quality of life," said HUD Regional Administrator Jane C.W. Vincent. "The Section 202 and 811grants help to ensure that senior citizens and people with disabilities can live independently with assistance to enjoy the amenities of their communities with access to the necessities to maintaining their health."

Section 202 Capital Advances will provide $545 million nationwide 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. 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.

Section 811 Capital Advances will provide $137 million nationwide 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.

HUD's Section 811 program provides 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 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.

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 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.

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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 @HUDnews, on facebook at www.facebook.com/HUD, or sign up for news alerts on HUD's News Listserv.

Pennsylvania

Section 202 - Supportive Housing for the Elderly

Project Location: Butler, PA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Comm Action Partnership of Mercer Co
Capital Advance: $3,479,600
Three-year rental subsidy: $289,800
Number of units: 25

Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct a two story building consisting of 25 one-bedroom units for the very low-income elderly. The site will be located in Butler Township, Butler Co., PA. The proximity of the site will also provide ready access to nearby amenities such as shopping, dining, banking, pharmacy, etc. The building has been designed with the recognition and consideration to allow its residents to "age in place" to maintain their safety and quality of life as they grow older.

Project Location: Natrona Heights, PA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Comm Action Partnership of Mercer Co
Capital Advance: $5,567,400
Three-year rental subsidy: $463,500
Number of units: 40

Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct a three story building consisting of 40 one-bedroom units for the very low-income elderly. The site will be located in Natrona Heights, Allegheny Co., PA. The proximity of the site will also provide ready access to nearby amenities such as shopping, dining, banking, post office, library, etc. The building has been
designed with the recognition and consideration to allow its residents to "age in place" to maintain their safety and quality of life as they grow older.

Project Location: Philadelphia, PA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Intercommunity Action, Inc
Capital Advance: $6,491,100
Three-year rental subsidy: $672,900
Number of units: 40

Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct a four story building consisting of forty (40) one-bedroom units with supportive services for very low income elderly persons. Public transportation is located on the corner of the site. The construction will incorporate energy efficient features such as water conserving fixtures, ENERGY STAR appliances ENERGY STAR lighting and passive solar heat/cooling. The Sponsor intends to utilize Low Income Tax Credits.

Project Location: Philadelphia, PA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Philadelphia Pres Ho & Ser for the Aging
Capital Advance: $7,737,500
Three-year rental subsidy: $807,600
Number of units: 49

Project Description:
Funds will be used to construct a four story building consisting of (48) one-bedroom units with supportive services
for very low income elderly persons. Services provided by a part time Service Coordinator. Amenities included a neighborhood network center, multipurpose room with kitchen and tenant storage. The roof will consist of a partially insulated green roof and project will utilize ENERGY STAR Plus Indoor Air Package in addition to other energy saving construction components. The Sponsor intends to utilize Low Income Tax Credits.

Section 811 - Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities

Project Location: Philadelphia, PA
Non-Profit Sponsor: Columbus Property Management & Devl
Capital Advance: $1,135,900
Three-year rental subsidy: $117,900
Number of units: 7

Project Description:
Project is being developed as part of a mixed finance, low income tax credit project consisting of thirty (30) total units. Seven accessible or adaptive units for the Wholly Developmentally Disabled will be financed by the Capital Advance. Funds will be used for the demolition and construction of a four (4) story building. Social services will be provided by off-site case managers. The construction will initiate green building standards including ENERGY STAR appliances and lighting, solar reflective roofing materials and green label carpet.

Project Location: Spring City, PA
Non-Profit Sponsor: KenCrest Ctrs
Capital Advance: $1,730,800
Three-year rental subsidy: $151,500
Number of units: 9

Project Description:
The funds for this project will be used for the rehabilitation of three (3) separate dwellings for the Wholly Developmentally Disabled. Each home will have three (3) residents. The dwellings will be modified to make them accessible for residents who use wheelchairs or have serious disabilities. Services may be provided by the Sponsor and are based on an Individual Supportive Service Plan through a team concept.