BUSH ADMINISTRATION ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $16.4 MILLION TO HELP VERY LOW-INCOME ELDERLY AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES IN TEXAS
Austin, Baytown, Conroe, Corpus Christi, Dallas and Houston Receive
Housing Assistance Grants

FORT WORTH - It will soon be easier for senior citizens and people with disabilities to find affordable housing in
Texas, thanks to $16,478,800 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 Texas 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.

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

Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct 21 one-bedroom units for very low-income elderly persons and one two-bedroom unit for a resident manager. This development is set to receive close to 50% of the requested capital advance amount from other sources including the City of Austin. The development is within two miles of the Austin
Community College-Eastview Campus, is close to the City of Austin's Conley-Guerrero Senior Activity Center, and it
is within four miles of the YMCA East Communities Branch. A part-time Service Coordinator will be employed.

Project Description:
The funds will be used for the new construction of 68 one-bedroom units for very low-income elderly. Also included
is a two-bedroom manager's unit. The sponsor plans on building two three-story buildings and one two-story building in the Oak Cliff area of Dallas. The site is located near several amenities such as a bus line, DART Rail Transit, and Methodist Dallas Medical Center.

Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct 40 one-bedroom units for very low-income elderly persons. The three-story building will include an elevator and the entrance to the property will be through a secure gated entry. All equipment and appliances will be Energy Star rated. The walks and drives will have no inclines or steps making it barrier free for the mobility impaired. The project shall be totally accessible. The property is located on a public bus route with shopping and other conveniences in close proximity to the site.

Section 811 - Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities

Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct 14 one-bedroom units for very low-income persons who are physically disabled. The project will be comprised of a single, one-story wood frame building. The floor plan will integrate a universal, barrier-free design to ensure long-term usability by all residents. Eight of the units will be fully accessible and the remaining six units will be sized so they can be easily converted. Each bathroom will be accessible with a roll-in shower. When possible, Energy Star appliances, products and fixtures will be used.

Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct fourteen units for very low-income persons with chronic mental illness and one manager's unit. The project consists of 12 one-bedroom units, two two-bedroom units, and one two-bedroom manager's unit. Kitchen appliances will be Energy Star compliant. The housing will encourage mobility with a barrier-free design. Accessible design elements and the availability of supportive services will allow residents to live as independently as possible.

Project Description:
The funds will be used to construct five one-bedroom units for very low-income persons with physical disabilities, developmental disabilities, and chronic mental illness. One unit will be for a resident manager. The location is within walking distance of medical services, the MHMR community center, stores, public transportation, and the Coastal
Bend Center for Independent Living. This development provides accessibility features and the availability of
supportive services that allow individuals to live as independently as possible.

###