Housing

The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has published final FY 2005 Fair Market Rents (FMRs) that reflect the estimated 40th and 50th percentile rent levels trended to April 1, 2005. The FMRs determine the Section 8 payment amounts established by HUD for counties. FMRs apply to both renewal rents and initial rents for vouched programs. HUD is legally required to publish FMRs at least annually, adjusted to be effective on the first of October of each year.

On 9/29/04, the Dept of Justice announced the settlement of a lawsuit alleging a pattern of discrimination by the Housing Authority of Baltimore City (HABC) against low-income people with disabilities. The agreement, the first of its kind, enforces Dept of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) regulations against a public housing authority. Under the agreement, HABC will change its housing facilities, programs, policies & practices; commit several million dollars to new housing; and pay damages.

This brief information update highlights the United States Department of Justice settlement of a housing discrimination suit that alleged disability discrimination by the Triumvera Tower Condominium Association in Glenview, IL. The complaint alleged the condominium association discriminated on the basis of disability by establishing a written policy prohibiting persons in wheelchairs from using the front door.

Minnesota provides their short and long term strategies for maintaining data for their HousingLink Program - an online resource database of affordable housing.

Across the nation, people with disabilities, of all ages, are currently facing an affordable housing crisis. This guide provide information and guidance for states as they work collaboratively to develop realistic systems-level strategies to expand housing opportunities for people with disabilities. This guide was developed based on information and approaches detailed at a Regional Housing Forum in Washington, D.C. in Nov. 2002. A link to that meeting notes & presentation is below.

On October 5, 2004, HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson announced $31 million in grants to 31 states to help people with disabilities or long-term illnesses live in their homes and participate fully in community life. The grants were awarded under the New freedom Initiative and are known as Real Choice Systems Change Grants. A total of 52 grants were awarded in nine categories. The press release, which describes the grant categories, and list of grantees are available.

The Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs) created NCSHA as a nonprofit organization in 1974 to coordinate and leverage their federal advocacy efforts for affordable housing. NCSHA works on three federally authorized programs: Mortgage Revenue Bonds (MRBs), Housing Credit, & HOME Investment Partnerships (HOME) program. The website offers news on housing, books, exemplary HFA Initiatives, advocacy and conference information and Industry Job Opportunities.

One of the most significant barriers to the development of comprehensive home and community-based support systems the availability of affordable, accessible housing. To help persons with disabilities of all ages locate housing, a handful of states have developed information and assistance programs that provider information on rental housing. This brief provides an overview of a sample of existing web-based housing registries in Connecticut, Massachusetts, Minnesota, and Tennessee.

News release on the sale of Dammasch State Hospital. The Oregon Office of Mental Health & Addiction Services seeking entities to sponsor the development of a variety of housing projects for persons with mental illness to be developed at Villebois in Wilsonville, Oregon. The proceeds of the sale, less expenses related to the complex real estate transaction, will be deposited in the Community Mental Health Housing Fund.

Oregon administrative rule establishing the standards for the Oregon Community Mental Health Housing Fund that was created with certain proceeds from the sale of a state facility. The fund will be used to create community housing arrangements for persons with serious mental illness.