DSHA awarded $5.1 million to create housing for disabled

Delaware State Housing Authority Director Anas Ben Addi was joined April 2 by Sen. Tom Carper, U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Regional Administrator Jane C.W. Vincent, and Delaware Department of Health and Social Services Secretary Rita Landgraf to celebrate Delaware’s award of $5.1 million to create and sustain 170 units of affordable housing over five years for people with disabilities through the Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Demonstration Program.

This federal program, funded through HUD and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, enables people with disabilities who have extremely low incomes to live in integrated mainstream settings. DSHA and DHSS are working closely together to identify people with disabilities who require long-term services and support to live independently in the community.

“People with disabilities are facing disproportionate housing and employment challenges,” said Gov. Jack Markell. “It’s important to them, and important to us, to give these individuals the opportunity to live independently with safe, secure, long-term housing and appropriate support services so they can be successful.”

“Providing basic needs like safe, affordable housing to those who desperately need it is a moral imperative,” said Carper. “This grant award will help Delawareans have a place to call their own and is one important step to those folks achieving independence.”

“HUD is pleased to support the First State in its efforts to offer real and lasting solutions for persons who might otherwise be institutionalized or living on our streets,” said Vincent.

Building on the existing DSHA/DHSS partnership developed in recent years as part of the state-funded State Rental Assistance Program, the Section 811 PRA Demo Program will leverage the successes of the SRAP and contribute significantly to the state’s ongoing efforts to develop a continuum of community-based housing choices as part of a system of long-term care that prioritizes living and providing services in the community.

The 811 program is anticipated to assist 170 individuals and very low-income families with housing and community-based services each year for five years. DHSS case managers will identify eligible applicants and coordinate their care and services while DSHA manages the housing subsidy. This includes ensuring the homes are safe through initial and yearly inspections and processing the rental assistance. Approved clients will contribute a portion of their monthly income toward their housing expenses.

For more information about eligibility requirements and other affordable housing programs, call 888-363-8808.

For more information about the Delaware State Housing Authority, call 888-363-8808 or go to www.destatehousing.com.