Policy alerts, briefs, letters & papers

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.

The Ticket to Work and Self-Sufficiency Program is an employment program for people with disabilities who are interested in going to work. The quarterly newsletter covers marketplace news, opportunities and experiences. This Autumn 2004 issues details the new marketing alliance and offers the experience of promising practices and partnerships. The publication also has a calendar and lists all recently approved Employee Network Providers.

Employer-based health insurance provides the majority of workers with access to health care & protection against devastating financial losses. Millions of workers, however, do not receive health benefits from their employers, and few sources of affordable coverage exist outside the employer-based system. This study, from the Commonwealth Fund Biennial Health Insurance Survey, finds a deep divide in the labor force and an urgent need for expanding access to comprehensive and affordable coverage.

This brief examines employment & program participation patterns of low income adults with disabilities & how well the current safety net meets their needs. It compares low-income across employment, program participation & income status. These comparisons highlight some of the unique challenges & motivate broader discussion of gaps in the safety net. Particularly striking are the conflicting messages regarding work & program participation sent by existing programs & policies.

In light of HIPAA, Aging and Disability Resource Centers face an important challenge. Since an ADRC is designed to be a one-stop shop for consumers for long-term care information, assistance and access to services, it may be subject to HIPAA’s requirements. This Issue Brief, prepared by the National Association of State Units on Aging, reviews the privacy and security provisions of HIPAA and highlights potential implications for ADRCs.

FRCS are an increasingly popular way to provide a variety of support to all types of families where, when and how they need them. Located in communities & designed to be accessible, these centers aim to put into practice much of what practitioners & policymakers have learned about what works best for children and families. The past decade has seen a steady increase in the number of centers because of the creativity and resourcefulness. This report offers ideas and financing options.

This Policy Research Brief reviews available research on the costs and outcomes of community service provision for people with intellectual disabilities (or “mental retardation”) and developmental disabilities, with a particular emphasis on residential services. It focuses on a number of key issues related not only to public expenditures, but also to funding systems, related policies and regulations, and their impact on service systems, on specific service types, and on service users.

The ADRC program calls for aging networks to broaden its target population & closely coordinate with the disability network to establish seamless systems for consumers. This brief provides background information on characteristics of individuals with physical disabilities, describes the major information & service needs & the existing supports & services system. The brief also addresses implications for grantees in serving this population & provides additional resources to facilitate operations.