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Disabled individuals can get help from housing and rental assistance programs run by the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development. The various resources and programs available that are funded by the government include Section 811, Tenant Based Rent Assistance, HOPWA, and help can even be provided by Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers. More information is provided below on these and other housing and rent programs that can help the disabled.
Housing facilities and rental assistance is offered to the disabled from the Section 811 program. The federal government created this resource in order to allow individuals with a disability to live in safe, secure, and affordable housing. It helps families live as independently as possible in private communities across the nation by increasing the supply of affordable rental housing. The section 811 program also supplies other supportive services, such as case management, referrals, free advice, and other aid. The program also provides project rental assistance to disabled clients, which will pay for the difference in expenses between the HUD-approved operating costs of the home/apartment and the tenants' contribution toward their apartment or home rent. The payment made from the voucher will usually be 30 percent of the households adjusted income. The initial term of the project rental assistance contract is for a period of time of up to 3 years, however it can be renewed if funds are available and the participant meets all eligibility requirements.
The requirements that need to be met in order to receive disability housing assistance from Section 811 include the following. An applying household, which may consist of a single qualified person, needs to have at least one member who is 18 years old or older and a household member must have a disability, such as a serious medical condition, chronic mental illness, physical handicap or some type of developmental disability. In addition, the applicant must be low-income, which is usually defined as a range within a certain percentage of the median income for the area. Housing units are operated by private owners in your state. To apply, contact a local non-profit agency or housing program in your county to apply. Find non-profits to apply at.
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Another option is a national non-profit that is focused on people with disabilities, and it is The National Supportive Housing Network. The organization is a non-profit, non-partisan group that is committed to increasing availability and access to housing resources for lower income people with disabilities. The non-profit takes a pro-active approach by providing special emphasis on preventing homelessness. So they can refer people to emergency rental assistance, security deposits, and legal advice. The non-profit also works on expanding affordable and safe housing opportunities to persons with disability income limits and persons who are currently unnecessarily housed in institutions. Contact is info@housingcentral.org
The National Supportive Housing Network administers several resources and services, including offering information to disabled residents about ways to find housing or to increase their income resources and rent assistance. They also work closely with a number of non-profits that are involved in creating housing opportunities for the disabled.
While not solely focused on and created for the disabled, other state and federal government funded housing resources can include the following.
Tenant Based Rent Assistance – This will usually provide families with vouchers to help them pay their rent. It will pay for the different between what the apartment costs on a monthly basis, and what the renter can afford to pay. Some states have much more generous voucher programs in place for the disabled, so they may be able to benefit more. Learn more.
Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) program – While not technically a program focused on disabled, this is a federal government program that provides housing and rental assistance to individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families. The HOPWA program may provide housing and resources that offer emergency rent help (both long term and short term), transitional housing, shelter, or long-term affordable solutions.
Section 8 housing for disabled – This is the federal government’s primary low income housing program. It can help people of any background, and not just the disabled. It can assist the low income, elderly, and others find and pay for rental homes and apartments. Statewide public housing agencies (PHAs) accept applications and administer the funds and vouchers.
Emergency rental assistance for disabled - A number of non-profit agencies, charities, and local government programs can be contacted. Since funding is limited, many will give priority to applicants who are disabled. Learn more and find a list of agencies to contact.
The key difference between section 811 and the housing programs referenced immediately above is that the primary goal of section 811 vouchers is to help families with a disabled member who is part of the household. All of the resources and assistance provided has that primary goal in mind, of helping the disabled find housing, provide vouchers that help pay for security deposits and rent, and offer case management and counseling.
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