CUOMO ANNOUNCES $25.8 MILLION IN HUD AID FOR HOUSING ELDERLY AND DISABLED IN ILLINOIS AND $595.6 MILLION NATIONWIDE

In Illinois, the HUD assistance will create: 236 apartment units for the elderly and 43 rental units for people with disabilities. It will also provide rental subsidies to residents of the housing for five years.

Nationwide, Cuomo said HUD is awarding $595.6 million to non-profits in 45 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico this week under the Section 202 Program for senior citizens and the Section 811 program for people with disabilities. The 202 program is awarding $501.3 million of the money and the 811 program is awarding $94.3 million.

On a national level, the HUD assistance will create: 6,006 apartment units for the elderly and 1,169 rental units for people with disabilities. It will provide rental subsidies for the units for five years.

"My Administration is committed to helping those who need it most," President Clinton said. "The men and women who spent decades working hard to build 20th Century America should not be left without a place to live in 21st Century America. By providing shelter to our most vulnerable citizens, we are improving the quality of life and building a better America for everyone."

"America will not turn its back on older Americans and people with disabilities struggling to get by on very low incomes," Cuomo said. "Without HUD assistance, many of these Americans simply could not make it. They would be forced to live in slums, or doubled and tripled up with relatives in overcrowded housing, or sent to nursing homes or other institutions at greater taxpayer expense, or even forced into homelessness in the most extreme cases."

The HUD aid is designed to provide housing for people 62 and older and adults with disabilities who have incomes below 50 percent of the area median. Nationally, 50 percent of median income amounts to less than $8,000 a year.

Residents pay 30 percent of their income in rent, and HUD subsidies pay the remaining funds needed to operate the housing.

HUD provides funds to the non-profits in two forms:

• Capital advances. This is money that covers the cost of developing the housing. It does not need to repaid as long as the housing is available for occupancy by very low-income elderly or people with disabilities for at least 40 years.

• Project rental assistance. This goes to each non-profit to cover the difference between the resident's contribution toward rent and the cost of operating the project.

U.S. Senator Richard Durbin said, "Grants like these remind us that housing isn't just about bricks and mortar, it's also about providing dignity to under-served populations and expanding opportunities for people throughout Illinois."

"There is certainly no greater need in our country today than affordable housing for the elderly and the disabled. This grant in Illinois' Second District is certainly a step in the right direction," said Congressman Jesse L. Jackson, Jr. "I want to personally thank HUD Secretary Andrew Cuomo for his outstanding work and his commitment to our local communities."

"These funds from the Department of Housing and Urban Development will help meet the housing needs of the elderly in our area," said Congressman Jerry F. Costello. "This is an important step in expanding opportunities to these under-served populations."

"I am very pleased this grant was awarded and applaud the leadership of local organizations," said Congressman Lane Evans. "New housing is vital for our area and the individuals who will benefit from this program. The money will help open new doors to housing opportunities and strengthen our community."

Here is a breakdown of the HUD assistance In Illinois:

SECTION 202 -- ELDERLY HOUSING

Project location: Sterling, IL Christian Life Retirement Center III
Capital advance: $2,222,400
Five-year rental subsidy: $435,000
Non-profit sponsor: First Assembly of God Church, Rockford, IL
Number units and project description: This 32 unit project will be designed for independent living and will have one management center.

Project location: Chicago, IL St. Sabina Senior Suites
Capital advance: $6,492,600
Five-year rental subsidy: $1,122,000
Non-profit sponsor: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Number units and project description: This project will provide 80 units.

Project location: Aurora, IL Franciscan Ministries
Capital advance: $3,895,500
Five-year rental subsidy: $673,500
Non-profit sponsor: Franciscan Ministries, Wheaton, IL
Number units and project description: This project will provide 48 units.

Project location: Chicago, IL St. Ailbe Apartments
Capital advance: $6,168,000
Five-year rental subsidy: $1,066,000
Non-profit sponsor: Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Chicago, Chicago, IL
Number units and project description: This project will have 76 units.

Content Archived: January 20, 2009