Housing

This is the first in a series of classic information documents.

HUD Secretary Alphonso Jackson released two papers titled Discrimination Against Persons with Disabilities. <i>Barriers at Every Step</i> coupled with its companion report, <i>Guidance for Practitioners</i>, advance the consumer’s ability to verify – and furthers chances of eradicating – inequity in housing opportunities for persons with disabilities. This newly released study employs a number of newly developed, field-tested tools for measuring housing discrimination.

The Homeownership Coalition for People with Disabilities in Springfield, IL and Home Options, a program through Community Service Options in Chicago, receive funding from a Real Choice Grant to enhance services to people with disabilities. Each program coordinates services and funding including: pre-and post-purchase counseling, home buyer education, down payment & closing cost assistance, home modification funding, home maintenance classes, early delinquency intervention, and in-home services.

This call hosted Emily Fuerste, Executive Director of the No Place Like Home Communities in Minnesota. The NPLHC creates supportive affordable housing for adults with disabilities, helping build financial and emotional equity in independent lives as they travel the road to their full potential. Their goal is to develop a rent-to-own model which will allow all people with disabilities to gain financial equity.

The topic of the May 2005 Essentials of Housing Teleconference was Universal Design. Richard Duncan of The Center for Universal Design at North Carolina State University was the guest presenter on the call.

The March 2005 Advanced Strategies Subgroup call hosted Dr. Fran Randolf, Director, Division of Service and Systems Improvement, Center for Mental Health Services for SAMHSA. Dr. Randolph presented information on the Mental Health Transformation State Incentive Grant Request for Proposals and the mental health transformation project. These summary notes provide an overview of the presentation and discussion.

The Tennessee State Senate has recently approved legislation that directs the state administration to develop a long-term care services plan. This plan will work to provide an array of home and community based services and opportunities for the elderly and persons with disabilities.

The Massachusetts State Legislature is currently reviewing new legislation that will create a fund for to assist families with home modifications. The bill passed in the House and is currently being reviewed in the Senate.

This is the second in a series of newsletters produced at the Exchange to provide assistance to our CMS Real Systems Change grantees. This newsletter is produced biannually. Topics include: Connecting the Dots: Maryland; Money Follows the Person: Grantee Meeting in Nevada; Information Technology (IT) Systems Survey for Single Point of Entry; Housing Work Group Established for Real Choice Grantees; Children’s Mental Health Audio Conference.

This is the third in a series of newsletters produced at the Exchange to provide assistance to our CMS Real Systems Change grantees. This newsletter is produced biannually. Topics include: Physicians’ Role in Determining Level of Care, Nurse Practice Policies for Home and Community Living, ADRC Toolbox, Massachusetts Connecting the Dots, Making Medicaid Work in the 21st Century, Assessment Instruments, HCBS Quality Management Roles & Responsibilities, Family Caregiving, and Housing.