Advocating for Persons with Disabilities as a Housing Priority: Discussion of Proactive Ways to Providing Accessible Housing Presented by Barbara Chandler

Federal Housing Funding Programs: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) 1. Community Development Block Grant (CDBG): Purpose is to provide HUD funding to entitlement communities and states for housing and economic initiatives that would increase viability of serving all low-income residents. The advocacy opportunities are through the following components: 1. The entitlement community and state 5-Year Plan 2. The entitlement community and state annual update and progress reports

Federal Housing Funding Programs: HOME A program of HUD, HOME provides affordable housing funds through formula grants to states and localities. Frequently states and localities form partnerships with nonprofit developers and housing groups to plan and build housing under this program. HOME funds can be used for new construction or the rehabilitation of affordable housing. HOME funded projects can be rental or homeownership units. HOME funds can also be used to provide direct rental assistance to low-income families.

Federal Housing Funding Programs: Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Tax credits made available to developers of low-income housing by the Internal Revenue Service with assistance from HUD. LITHC are administered by state executive offices of housing. The advocacy component is through the Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP). Items to be reviewed in the QAP: 1. Targeted populations, such as persons with disabilities 2. Applied accessibility and design standards beyond code mandates 3. Use of template language to deal with accessibility mandates 4. Targeted geographic areas 5. Arrangements to guarantee that LITHC do not go to developers/architects or builders with outstanding FHAA complaints.

Federal Housing Funding Programs: HUD Funded Public Housing Programs Public Housing Authorities (PHA) receive HUD funding for the administration of public housing units, HOPE VI, Project- Based Section 8 vouchers and Tenant-Based vouchers. The advocacy opportunities are through the following components: 1. The PHA 5-Year Plan a. Designated housing intentions b. Home ownership options c. HOPE VI plans 2. The PHA annual update and progress reports

Federal Housing Funding Programs: HUD Funded Vouchers (Housing Choice Vouchers) PHA voucher objectives are included in both the PHA 5-Year Plan and the PHA Annual reports. Section 8 Project-based Vouchers Section 8 Tenant-based Vouchers

Federal Housing Funding Programs: HOPE VI HOPE IV is a HUD funded program to address the overcrowding and physical deterioration of public housing developments. HOPE VI projects do not offer unit for unit replacements for PHA developments razed. HOPE VI are also mixed income developments, some of the units will not go to persons with income below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI). Level of accessibility needs to be closely monitored. The advocacy opportunities are through the following components: 1. The PHA 5-Year Plan 2. The PHA annual update and progress reports 3. A public hearing exclusively for proposed HOPE IV project.

Policy Priority Opportunities: Master Plan The purpose of a Master Plan is to coordinate and provide guidelines for future local planning efforts. Master plans provide critical information to make appropriate decisions regarding use of land resources to promote local economic development and enhance social equality. The Master Plan is not required of all states and municipalities, but strongly recommended by HUD. 1. Inventory current housing stock in general and for specific populations 2. Identify unmet housing needs in general and for specific populations 3. Develop housing strategies in general and for specific populations

Policy Priority Opportunities: Consolidated Plan A document written by a State or local government describing the housing needs of the low- and moderate-income residents, outlining strategies to meet the needs and listing all resources available to implement the strategies. (HUD Definition) This would include new construction, rehabilitation and conversions of use projects for persons within 30%-80% of AMI. 1. Describes all available housing programs, 2. Describes who is served by those programs, including wait list information 3. Incorporates FH Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing 4. Outlines what actions while be taken to increase access and opportunity in housing.

Policy Priority Opportunities: Action Plan An Action Plan “includes the objectives and outcomes identified in the plan as well as an evaluation of past performance, a summary of the citizen participation and consultation process (including efforts to broaden public participation)(24 CFR (b)), a summary of comments or views, and a summary of comments or views not accepted and the reasons therefore (24 CFR (b)(5)).” 1. Describes progress and identifies new barriers in Consolidated Plan objectives 2. Describes progress and identifies new barriers of Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing 3. Any changes in previously identified objectives

Policy Priority Opportunities: Analysis of Impediments to Fair Housing (AI) The AI is required of all states and local governments that received CDBG funds. The AI is an in-depth analysis of barriers to equal opportunity and access to housing. The advocacy opportunities are through the following components: 1. Identify all obstructing factors that make it difficult for persons with disabilities to have equal access to housing opportunities. Factors could include lack of physical accessibility, affordability or lack of resources. 2. Identify ways to eradicate the identified barriers. 3. Monitor AI progress through the 5-Year and Annual Plans

Best Practices: Identifying Housing Needs Number of low-income persons with disabilities living in service area Number of persons with disabilities living in inappropriate housing i.e., inaccessible housing Percentage of homeless population that are disabled Availability of affordable accessible units in service area Percentage of persons with disabilities on housing wait lists Number of persons with disabilities inappropriately housed in institutions, long-term care facilities and nursing homes Heavy geographic concentrations of persons with disabilities Identify disparate impacts

Best Practices: Identification of Housing Remedies Increasing vouchers targeting persons with disabilities & their families Identification of persons with disabilities as local priority and preference in public housing Increase the number of accessible units in new construction & rehabilitation (exceed minimum requirements) Offer incentives to developers to incorporate universal design Offer incentives to include accessible units in single family developments such as visitability and universal design Increase disability mandates in LIHTC QAP Target specific areas for increased housing development

Best Practices: Technical Assistance Strategies Develop partnerships with state and local housing & community development agencies Become Board member of non-profit housing agencies Recruit persons with disabilities to sit on tenants rights groups Develop information and referral sources for housing agencies Review and comment on housing polices and regulations. Develop coalitions with other affordable housing advocacy organizations Provide education and training on disability housing issues Provide technical assistance on providing housing to persons with disabilities Know and practice local, state and federal fair housing rights.

Contact Information: Barbara R. Chandler Director of Housing Projects DCRC Director of Fair Housing Accessibility FIRST Adaptive Environments 200 Portland Street Boston, MA , ext 234 Direct Line , FIRST assistance line