CUOMO AWARDS $2.5 MILLION TO HELP ELDERLY AND DISABLED PEOPLE IN 22 STATES CONTINUE LIVING INDEPENDENTLY AT HOME

WASHINGTON - Housing and Urban Development Secretary Andrew Cuomo today awarded $2.5 million in grants to help low-income elderly people and people with disabilities get health care, meals and other supportive services they need to continue living in HUD-subsidized housing in 22 states.

Public housing authorities will use the Resident Opportunities Self-Sufficiency Program funds to employ service coordinators who will help the elderly and people with disabilities in HUD housing get the supportive services that enable them to live independently.

"Why should loved ones have to be far away in nursing homes and institutions? These grants help elderly citizens and people with disabilities continue living in their homes near family and friends," Cuomo said.

Total grants for each state are:

Each year, HUD assists approximately 1.5 million elderly low-income renter households with public and assisted housing and tenant-based rental assistance to provide decent, safe, and affordable housing opportunities.

As the U.S. population ages and the number of older Americans grows, there will be an increased need for programs to help the elderly continue living independently in their homes.

According to the Census Bureau, there were 34.6 million people age 65 years or older in the United States in 1999 The Census Bureau estimates that by year 2100, the number of people 65 and older will climb to 131 million. This projection is based on current population trends.