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Housing Study Committee Meeting

Housing Study Committee Meeting. 4/24/2009. Framework for Housing Discussion :. Past, Present, Future Housing and Services Barriers – Income, Asset Development Housing – The Players Federal Policy Charlie Hammerman with The Disability Opportunity Fund Next Steps. The starting point.

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Housing Study Committee Meeting

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  1. Housing Study Committee Meeting 4/24/2009

  2. Framework for Housing Discussion : • Past, Present, Future • Housing and Services • Barriers – Income, Asset Development • Housing – The Players • Federal Policy • Charlie Hammerman with The Disability Opportunity Fund • Next Steps

  3. The starting point • “Report on investment models and best-practices for the development of affordable and accessible community-based housing for persons with intellectual and related developmental disabilities.” • “The report shall identify specific funding options that will increase the availability of community housing, leverage state dollars, and promote individualized, person-centered housing for people with intellectual and related developmental disabilities.”

  4. Past, Present, Future Past – Institutions, shame, little to no community resources Past/Present – Institutions, group homes and pockets of creativity Present/Future – self determination, community, real life, “unbundling” of services and housing

  5. Past, Present, Future • Why is it important to understand the shift in thinking and expectations and how it impacts public policy? • Why is it important to the housing discussion? • The way we do “business” must change to adapt to the demands of “the future”

  6. Housing and Service The current (and up-in-coming) generation of advocates, parents, professionals are moving policy, services models, and the locus of control forward. The separation of housing from services (control) is an increasingly important concept that can be difficult to conceptualize – but critically important to come to grips with…

  7. Figure 1. Status of Individual Budgets/Consumer Directed Supports by State in 2006/2007

  8. The BIG Disconnect Housing Disability & Human Services Community

  9. Community Living Exchange Collaborative “The affordable housing delivery system is comprised of a myriad of programs administered by a large number of agencies – mainly units of government – at the federal, state and local levels. It is often difficult for the disability community to know where to begin because there are so many players that could potentially be involved in crafting strategies to help expand housing options for people with disabilities. It is important to understand who the various housing players are and learn which programs they administer before beginning to develop effective strategies for meeting the housing needs of people with disabilities.”

  10. Housing • In order to develop “affordable and accessible community-based housing for persons with intellectual and related developmental disabilities” the disability community must understand federal and state housing resources and planning processes that prioritize those resources. Housing…big picture

  11. The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) The majority of federal housing programs and policies are administered through HUD. HUDs mission is “to increase homeownership, support community development and increase access to affordable housing free from discrimination.”

  12. HUD Programs Community Development Block Grant; Emergency Shelter Grant; Federally assisted housing; HOME Program; Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS; Public Housing; Section 202 Supportive housing for the Elderly; Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program; Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation SRO; Section 811 Supportive Housing for People with Disabilities; Shelter Plus Care; Supportive Housing Program.

  13. National data • SSI equal to only 18 percent of median income. • Modest one-bedroom units cost 112% of SSI. • Studio units cost 99% of SSI. • Rents are above SSI in 241 housing markets where 53% of nation’s population lives. • In 10 years, one-bedroom rents have risen from 69% of SSI to 112% of SSI Ann O’Hara – Associate Director, Technical Assistance Collaborative Inc

  14. 30% of income towards housing costs according to federal housing affordability guidelines • 30% of SSI = $200 • National Average 1 BR rent = $742 • “Housing Affordability Gap” = $542 • “Gap” must be filled by an on-going rental subsidy Ann O’Hara – Associate Director, Technical Assistance Collaborative Inc

  15. The Housing Crisis for People with Disabilities in Virginia Metropolitan Statistical Area % of Monthly SSI for Rental Housing 30% threshold recommended by HUD Data based on HUD’s 2006 Fair Market Rents for a 1 bedroom apartment. Source: Priced Out in 2006. The Technical Assistance Collaborative and the Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities Housing Task Force." [www.tacinc.org and www.c-c-d.org/task_forces/housing/tf-housing.htm].

  16. Study of Funding for Housing Serving People with Disabilities: SD 12, SJR 159: 2000 • On Income; “any broad-based effort to assist people with disabilities in obtaining adequate affordable housing must address the need for operating subsidies and/or client income supports in addition to the need for subsidized housing capital”

  17. At the state and local level… …the majority of HUD programs are administered by state and local housing and community development officials, state housing finance agencies and Public Housing Agencies. There is no overarching state authority for distribution of housing funds.

  18. In order to access federal affordable housing resources to meet the housing needs of people with disabilities and the aging community, it is important to be aware of the planning processes that control these valuable public resources.

  19. There are four federally-mandated strategic planning initiatives that seek to ensure community-wide coordination and comprehensive planning regarding the use of federal resources to develop, renovate and preserve and/or create housing opportunities for low and moderate-income people.

  20. Federally Mandated Planning Initiatives • Consolidate Plan (ConPlan) (DHCD and localities) • Public Housing Agency Plan (PHA Plan) (VHDA and local PHA’s) • Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) (VHDA) • Continuum of Care (DHCD and localities)

  21. The ConPlan… …is the “master plan” for affordable housing in local communities and states. It is a long-term housing plan that controls access to HUD funds used to expand affordable housing opportunities. The ConPlan controls valuable federal affordable housing programs including: • Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) • Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG) • HOME Investment Partnerships Program (HOME) • Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)

  22. The PHA Plan… • …describes the agencies overall mission for serving low-income and very low-income families, and the activities that will be undertaken to meet the housing need of these families. The PHA Plan is part of a federal policy to give PHAs increased flexibility to determine who will receive housing assistance. Through the PHA Plan process, the PHA decides the policies and procedures to be followed for the public housing units and Section 8 rent subsidies controlled by the PHA.

  23. Link between the ConPlan and the PHA Plan • When Congress created the PHA Plan they included a very important requirement to link the PHA Plan to the ConPlan. The needs, goals, and activities detailed in the PHA Plan must reflect the needs and priorities documented in the ConPlan. • This linkage can provide more opportunities for the disability community to participate in the process to set housing priorities. The disability community may review information available to the planners and submit additional data that may not have been considered during the plan’s development. Planners may not always be aware of the housing needs of people with disabilities and the aging community, this process gives the disability community the opportunity to inform the policy and priority setting process.

  24. Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP) • When Congress created the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program in 1986, they included the requirement that states develop a strategic housing document describing how LIHTC would be utilized to meet the housing needs and priorities of the state. The QAP outlines the states affordable housing priorities and how to apply for tax credits. The QAP must be consistent with the state ConPlan and solicit public comment.

  25. Continuum of Care Plan • In 1994, HUD introduced the Continuum of Care model to encourage communities to address the problems of housing and homelessness in a more coordinated, comprehensive, and strategic fashion. • Through the Continuum of Care, communities can create a comprehensive plan for the housing needs of homeless people with disabilities and other homeless individuals and families.

  26. Continuum of Care Plan • Since 1999, Congress directed HUD to ensure that at least 30 percent of the funds awarded through the Continuum of Care process be utilized for permanent housing. To ensure this outcome, HUD has made a bonus of funds available to those Continuum of Care communities that rank a new permanent supportive housing project as the first priority for funding.

  27. HUD $’s = Affordable Housing By using resources in the ConPlan, Continuum of Care plan, PHA plan, and QAP, communities can improve their overall housing and service delivery systems. Together, these plans control flexible resources and opportunities to develop quality, integrated, community programs and housing.

  28. Current Initiatives in VA • MFP Housing Task Force • State Plan for Independent Living Goal 2 The paradigm shift discussed earlier requires a change in tactics and strategies

  29. Resource Review VHDA • LIHTC • SPARC DHCD • Home • HOPWA • CDBG • Homelessness

  30. Resource Review PHAs • Home • Housing Choice Vouchers Localities • CDBG Feds • 202 • 811

  31. What we can/should fix • 5 versus 4 • MFP & Vouchers • Vouchers versus Budget

  32. Current Federal Initiatives • 30 Million in 2009 Appropriation for Housing Choice Vouchers • Frank Melville Supportive Housing Act • Able Trusts • National Housing Trust Fund

  33. New federal housing program focused on households below 30% of median • 67% of funding must be spent on rental housing for this group • To be administered by state housing agencies • President Obama seeking $1 billion in appropriations for FY 2010 • Will create important policy opportunity at the state level • Low cost rental subsidies may still be needed to ensure SSI affordability (i.e., reduce rents from 30% of median income to 18% of median income) Ann O’Hara – Associate Director, Technical Assistance Collaborative Inc

  34. Advocate with PHAs to apply for new disability vouchers • Ensure PHA compliance with HUD rules on 50,000 existing disability vouchers • Engage your state housing agency regarding new policies for the National Housing Trust Fund. • Monitor progress of Section 811 legislation Ann O’Hara – Associate Director, Technical Assistance Collaborative Inc

  35. Strategies that Work In states and communities that have made progress there are two common elements to their success: • The creative use of all available affordable housing programs to expand housing options; • Strong partnerships and collaborations between the affordable housing system and the disability and aging communities to ensure that the housing created will meet the needs and preferences of people with disabilities and the aging.

  36. References • Information, guidance for this presentation was gathered from A Technical Assistance Guide for Housing Resources and Strategies March 2003. The report can be found at: • Slides #12,13, 32, 33 copied from New Options to Fund Housing for Persons with Mental Illness Webinar April 16, 2009, and created by Ann O’Hara – Associate Director, Technical Assistance Collaborative Inc

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