Life after UP: Housing

1. Life after UP: Housing January 22, 2012 By Charlotte Pritchett

2. Tonight’s Agenda • Review or complete questionnaires • Follow up to questions from last meeting • Housing options and funding • Additional Questions • Agenda for next meeting and times

3. Follow Up Answers from First Meeting • Assistance with Utilities • Free Phones • Community Assistance Program (CAP) • Developmental Therapy

4. Assistance with Utility Bills • Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program: This program had grants administered through the states for heating costs. Apply through DSS. • Local Assistance Agencies, list provided on the next slide. • North Carolina Weatherization Program provides funding for low income families to seal leaks, install insulation, tune ups and repairs to heating and air conditioning. www.ncdhhs.gov/dss/energy/index.htm http://energy.gov/ig/office-inspector-general

5. Utility Assistance Agencies • Buncombe County: Interfaith Assistance Ministry 828-697-7029 • Clay County: Clay County Department of Social Services 828-389-6301 • Cherokee County: Cherokee Department of Social Services 828-837-7455 • Jackson County: Jackson County Department of Social Services 828-586-5546 • Haywood County: None listed at this time • Forsyth County: Crisis Control Ministry Inc. 336-724-7875 XT 1044

6. Free and Low Cost Phones Assurance Wireless • One free phone and 250 free nationwide minutes per month • Access area may be limited Lifeline: $10.00 discount per month Link up: $30.00 off installation fee How to qualify: food stamps, SSI, Medicaid eligible http://www.fcc.gov/guides/lifeline-and-link-affordable-telephone-service-income-eligible-consumers http://assurancewireless.com/Public/FAQs.aspx

7. CAP/ 1915 (a) and 1915(b) • Community Assistance Program previously provided a Supports waiver for services up to $17,500 per year, providing training to maintain or improve self care, independent living, mobility, socialization, or self direction skills • And a Comprehensive Supports waiver for people needing intensive support not to exceed to $135,000 per year for similiar services only more intensity.

8. Developmental Therapy • Developmental Therapy provides the same sort of training services for people who have developmental disabilities. • Funding and in the intensity of service. • DT funded by the state of North Carolina • Maximum time 4 hours per day. http://www.homecaremgmt.org/service-developmental-therapy

9. Changes in Medicaid Waivers: Combined Management of Medicaid and State Funds at the Community Level

10. Next steps • Contact your case manager • Your participant either needs a CAP waiver (Innovations) or is on the waiting list. • Support services and some housing options may be tied to this funding. • Contact your case manager • Your participant either needs a CAP waiver (Innovations) or is on the waiting list. • Support services and some housing options may be tied to this funding. • Contact your case manager • Your participant either needs a CAP waiver (Innovations) or is on the waiting list. • Support services and some housing options may be tied to this funding. • Contact your case manager • Your participant either needs a CAP waiver (Innovations) or is on the waiting list. • Support services and some housing options may be tied to this funding. • Contact your case manager • Your participant either needs a CAP waiver (Innovations) or is on the waiting list. • Support services and some housing options may be tied to this funding.

11. Housing Options • Public Housing Authority projects • Housing Choice Voucher / Section 8 Voucher • Target and Key Programs • Group Homes • Alternative Family Living • Build or buy a place for your child

12. Public Housing Developments • The Department of Housing and Urban Renewal either builds, buys, or habilitates properties to be used for public housing. • This housing is for low income families that cannot afford housing in the private market. • The apartment complex would have all people with low incomes. www.hud.gov

13. Housing Choice Voucher aka Section 8 Voucher • Does NOT have to be part of a public housing project (could be a condo, apartment, townhouse, or single family home) • This voucher can be used anywhere in the private market where accepted. • In some cases it could be used as a voucher to purchase a small modest home.

14. Section 8 • When searching in classified ads, look for “section 8 is ok” or “section 8 is accepted.” • The rent must be reasonable in comparison to similar rental properties in the area. • The person must pay 30% of their salary for rent. Voucher pays the rest. • Actual rent= $600 • Salary($950) x.30= minus $285 • Voucher Pays= $415

15. Who Qualifies for Section 8? • The person must earn no more than 50% of the median income in your area. • Look at this website for your area info: • www.huduser.org/Datasets/IL/12 • Preference is given to extremely low income families • A special voucher is sometimes designated for persons with disabilities called a Mainstream Voucher.

16. How Do I Apply for Section 8? 1.Contact your local Public Housing Authority Office: • Asheville 828-258-1222 • Andrews 828-321-5257 • Murphy 828-837-6662 • Sylva-Jackson County 828-631-2292 • Waynesville 828-456-6377 • Western Carolina Community Action 828-693-1711 • Winston Salem 336-727-8500 2. Sign up for Section 8 knowing that you will be on a waiting list.

17. Getting an Apartment Through Section 8 • Once your name comes up to the top of the waiting list, you must use the voucher within 90 days. • Find an affordable apartment on the open market. • Apply for a lease

18. Section 8 Accommodations for People with Disabilities • Reasonable accommodations are small changes made in a process or rule that allows a person with a disability to participate in an activity or program. • Examples: additional time to submit applications, home visits for completion of applications, barrier free, accessible housing. • Section 8 must allow special housing types such as single room occupancy, group homes, congregate housing, and shared housing

19. Section 8 Accommodations for People with Disabilities • Live-in aide: A live-in aide may be used by a person with a disability if essential to the well being of the individual. • The aide must be a person who is not obligated to support the person. • The aide would not be living in the unit except if they were not providing supportive services. • When approved this will require an increase to the size of the residence. • http://www.communityhousingnetwork.org/getinfo/housingplanninglibrary/accomodations

20. Target and Key Programs • These two programs work together. • Target: tax credits for developers if they set aside 10% of their housing projects for low income. • Key Program: Companion program to Target these units for people with disabilities.

21. The Key Program • Who is eligible? • Head of household must be an adult with a disability who is SSI eligible. • Total gross income must be below 30% of average median income for your area. ( North Carolina : 30% of median income limit is $12,150 for 2012) • Household income is a minimum of $300 per month. • Accommodations for live in aides also apply to this program. http://www.novoco.com/low_income_housing/facts_figures/income_limits.php

22. Key Program • How do you apply? -Must be sponsored by a referral agency (Smoky Mountain, Western Highlands, CenterPoint Human Services). -Must apply for section 8 but ok if not eligible. Contacts for Key Program: -Target Program N.C. Western Region Contact Russell Cate 828-257-2127 russell.cate@dhhs.nc.gov -Statewide general information contact Kay Johnson 704-619-6716 kay.r.johnson@dhhs.nc.gov

23. Group Homes:An Option when Living Alone is Not • Group homes are residential homes serving adults or children with chronic disabilities. • Usually 6 or less residents • Staffed 24 hours a day • People in group homes usually require constant supervision. • Some people acquire the skills to move on to more independent living.

24. Group Homes • Each person either has their own room or shares with one other person. • They share common areas such as kitchen, living room, and bathroom. • Staff often go with residents to the mall, parks, and events • Section 8 Vouchers can be used for group homes. • These placements are supported by medicaid waivers. • Contact your case manager, case coordinator or LME

25. Alternative Family LivingAFL • Home environment for adults with disabilities who are unable to live alone. • Families who have room in their homes and in their lives provide a home for someone. • Provide family style supervision • Allows living in the community with support • Can participate in day programs or work while living in an AFL • This is a medicaid funded option, work with case manager or LME to apply.

26. Purchase or Build a Home • Property can be held by you , then you can accept a section 8 voucher. • Property can be held in trust, pay rent to the trust. • If put in your child’s name it does not count as an asset for SSI.

27. Resources for Help Finding Housing • Community Guide -Included in the new Innovations waiver - Request through LME - Will help with housing, medical care, advocacy / rights, school/classes, community resources and activities • North Carolina Housing Coalition 919-333-1117 • list of housing options in your area • Ontrack Counseling www.ontrackwnc.org • Renters guide • Classes • Help with security deposits

28. Next Steps 1. Already have CAP/Innovations or get on waiting list 2. What kind of housing? 3. Who can help you? 4. Gather info to apply 5. Apply for housing and vouchers 6. Request accommodations 7. Follow up on applications 8. Choose a home 9. Be sure to understand terms of the lease • CONSEQUENCES for not following it!

29. Follow Up • Questions • What did you learn that you did • not already know? • What else do you want to know? • Possible dates for other meetings?