Housing Study Housing Study Committee MeetingCommittee Meeting

4/24/20094/24/2009

Framework for Framework for Housing Discussion :Housing Discussion :

Past, Present, FuturePast, Present, FutureHousing and ServicesHousing and ServicesBarriers – Income, Asset Development Barriers – Income, Asset Development Housing – The PlayersHousing – The PlayersFederal Policy Federal Policy Charlie Hammerman with The Disability Charlie Hammerman with The Disability Opportunity Fund Opportunity Fund Next StepsNext Steps

The starting pointThe starting point

““Report on investment models and best-practices for the Report on investment models and best-practices for the development of affordable and accessible community-development of affordable and accessible community-based housing for persons with intellectual and related based housing for persons with intellectual and related developmental disabilities.”developmental disabilities.”

““The report shall identify specific funding options that will The report shall identify specific funding options that will increase the availability of community housing, leverage increase the availability of community housing, leverage state dollars, and promote individualized, person-state dollars, and promote individualized, person-centered housing for people with intellectual and related centered housing for people with intellectual and related developmental disabilities.”developmental disabilities.”

Past, Present, FuturePast, Present, Future

Past – Institutions, shame, little to no Past – Institutions, shame, little to no community resourcescommunity resources

Past/Present – Institutions, group homes Past/Present – Institutions, group homes and pockets of creativityand pockets of creativity

Present/Future – self determination, Present/Future – self determination, community, real life, “unbundling” of community, real life, “unbundling” of services and housing services and housing

Past, Present, Future Past, Present, Future

Why is it important to understand the shift Why is it important to understand the shift in thinking and expectations and how it in thinking and expectations and how it impacts public policy?impacts public policy?

Why is it important to the housing Why is it important to the housing discussion?discussion?

The way we do “business” must change to The way we do “business” must change to adapt to the demands of “the future” adapt to the demands of “the future”

Housing and ServiceHousing 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…

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

The BIG DisconnectThe BIG DisconnectHousingHousing

Disability &

Human ServicesCommunity

Community Living Exchange Community Living Exchange CollaborativeCollaborative

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

HousingHousing

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

Housing…big picture Housing…big picture

The Department of Housing and Urban The Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)Development (HUD)

The majority of federal housing programs The majority of federal housing programs and policies are administered through and policies are administered through HUD. HUD.

HUDs mission is “to increase HUDs mission is “to increase homeownership, support community homeownership, support community development and increase access to development and increase access to affordable housing free from affordable housing free from discrimination.”discrimination.”

HUD ProgramsHUD Programs

Community Development Block Grant; Emergency Shelter Community Development Block Grant; Emergency Shelter

Grant; Federally assisted housing; HOME Program; Grant; Federally assisted housing; HOME Program;

Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS; Public Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS; Public

Housing; Section 202 Supportive housing for the Elderly; Housing; Section 202 Supportive housing for the Elderly;

Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program; Section 8 Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher Program; Section 8

Moderate Rehabilitation SRO; Section 811 Supportive Moderate Rehabilitation SRO; Section 811 Supportive

Housing for People with Disabilities; Shelter Plus Care; Housing for People with Disabilities; Shelter Plus Care;

Supportive Housing Program.Supportive Housing Program.

National dataNational data SSI equal to only 18 percent of median income.SSI equal to only 18 percent of median income.

Modest one-bedroom units cost 112% of SSI.Modest one-bedroom units cost 112% of SSI.

Studio units cost 99% of SSI.Studio units cost 99% of SSI.

Rents are above SSI in 241 housing markets where Rents are above SSI in 241 housing markets where

53% of nation’s population lives.53% of nation’s population lives.

In 10 years, one-bedroom rents have risen from 69% In 10 years, one-bedroom rents have risen from 69%

of SSI to 112% of SSIof SSI to 112% of SSIAnn O’Hara Ann O’Hara – Associate Director, Technical Assistance Collaborative Inc– Associate Director, Technical Assistance Collaborative Inc

30% of income towards housing costs according to 30% of income towards housing costs according to

federal housing affordability guidelines federal housing affordability guidelines

30% of SSI = $20030% of SSI = $200

National Average 1 BR rent = $742National Average 1 BR rent = $742

““Housing Affordability Gap” = $542Housing Affordability Gap” = $542

““Gap” must be filled by an on-going rental subsidyGap” must be filled by an on-going rental subsidy

Ann O’Hara Ann O’Hara – Associate Director, Technical Assistance Collaborative Inc– Associate Director, Technical Assistance Collaborative Inc

The Housing Crisis for The Housing Crisis for People with Disabilities People with Disabilities

in Virginiain Virginia

89%

111%

67% 65%70%

83%

67%

87%

77%

67%

117%

79%

122%

91%

188%

85%76%

0%

20%

40%

60%

80%

100%

120%

140%

160%

180%

200%

2006

Blacksburg/Christiansburg/Radford

Charlottesville

Danville

Franklin County

Giles County

Harrisonburg

Kingsport/Bristol

Louisa County

Lynchburg

Pulaski County

Richmond

Roanoke

Virginia Beach/Norfolk/Newport News

Warren County

Washington/Arlington/Alexandria

Winchester

Non-Metropolitan Areas

30% threshold recommended by HUD

Metropolitan Statistical Area

Data based on HUD’s 2006 Fair Market Rents for a 1 bedroom apartment.

% of Monthly SSI for Rental Housing

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].

Study of Funding for Housing Serving Study of Funding for Housing Serving People with Disabilities: SD 12, SJR People with Disabilities: SD 12, SJR

159: 2000159: 2000

On Income; “any broad-based effort to On Income; “any broad-based effort to assist people with disabilities in obtaining assist people with disabilities in obtaining adequate affordable housing must address adequate affordable housing must address the need for operating subsidies and/or the need for operating subsidies and/or client income supports in addition to the client income supports in addition to the need for subsidized housing capital” need for subsidized housing capital”

At the state and local level…At the state and local level…

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

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

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

Federally Mandated Planning Federally Mandated Planning InitiativesInitiatives

Consolidate Plan (ConPlan)Consolidate Plan (ConPlan)(DHCD and localities)(DHCD and localities)

Public Housing Agency Plan (PHA Plan)Public Housing Agency Plan (PHA Plan)(VHDA and local PHA’s)(VHDA and local PHA’s)

Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP)Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP)(VHDA)(VHDA)

Continuum of CareContinuum of Care(DHCD and localities) (DHCD and localities)

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

The ConPlan…The ConPlan…

The PHA Plan…The PHA Plan…

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

Link between the ConPlan and the Link between the ConPlan and the PHA PlanPHA Plan

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

Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP)Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP)

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

Continuum of Care PlanContinuum of Care Plan

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

Continuum of Care PlanContinuum of Care Plan

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

HUD $’s = Affordable Housing HUD $’s = Affordable Housing

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

Current Initiatives in VACurrent Initiatives in VA

MFP Housing Task ForceMFP Housing Task Force

State Plan for Independent Living Goal 2State Plan for Independent Living Goal 2

The paradigm shift discussed earlier The paradigm shift discussed earlier requires a change in tactics and strategiesrequires a change in tactics and strategies

Resource ReviewResource Review

VHDAVHDALIHTC LIHTC

SPARCSPARCDHCDDHCDHomeHome

HOPWAHOPWACDBGCDBG

HomelessnessHomelessness

Resource ReviewResource Review

PHAsPHAsHomeHome

Housing Choice VouchersHousing Choice VouchersLocalitiesLocalities

CDBGCDBGFedsFeds

202202811811

What we can/should fixWhat we can/should fix

5 versus 45 versus 4

MFP & VouchersMFP & Vouchers

Vouchers versus Budget Vouchers versus Budget

Current Federal InitiativesCurrent Federal Initiatives

30 Million in 2009 Appropriation for 30 Million in 2009 Appropriation for Housing Choice VouchersHousing Choice Vouchers

Frank Melville Supportive Housing ActFrank Melville Supportive Housing Act

Able Trusts Able Trusts

National Housing Trust FundNational Housing Trust Fund

New federal housing program focused on households below 30% of median67% of funding must be spent on rental housing for this groupTo be administered by state housing agenciesPresident Obama seeking $1 billion in appropriations for FY 2010Will create important policy opportunity at the state levelLow 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 Ann O’Hara – Associate Director, Technical Assistance Collaborative Inc– Associate Director, Technical Assistance Collaborative Inc

Advocate with PHAs to apply for new disability Advocate with PHAs to apply for new disability

vouchersvouchers

Ensure PHA compliance with HUD rules on 50,000 Ensure PHA compliance with HUD rules on 50,000

existing disability vouchersexisting disability vouchers

Engage your state housing agency regarding new Engage your state housing agency regarding new

policies for the National Housing Trust Fund.policies for the National Housing Trust Fund.

Monitor progress of Section 811 legislationMonitor progress of Section 811 legislationAnn O’Hara Ann O’Hara – Associate Director, Technical Assistance Collaborative Inc– Associate Director, Technical Assistance Collaborative Inc

Strategies that WorkStrategies that WorkIn states and communities that have made progress In states and communities that have made progress there are two common elements to their success:there are two common elements to their success:1)1) The creative use of all available affordable The creative use of all available affordable

housing programs to expand housing options;housing programs to expand housing options;2)2) Strong partnerships and collaborations between Strong partnerships and collaborations between

the affordable housing system and the disability the affordable housing system and the disability and aging communities to ensure that the and aging communities to ensure that the housing created will meet the needs and housing created will meet the needs and preferences of people with disabilities and the preferences of people with disabilities and the aging.aging.

ReferencesReferences

Information, guidance for this presentation was gathered Information, guidance for this presentation was gathered from from A Technical Assistance Guide for Housing Resources A Technical Assistance Guide for Housing Resources and Strategies March 2003. and Strategies March 2003. The report can be found at: The report can be found at:

Slides #12,13, 32, 33 copied from Slides #12,13, 32, 33 copied from New Options to Fund New Options to Fund Housing for Persons with Mental Illness Webinar April 16, Housing for Persons with Mental Illness Webinar April 16, 2009, 2009, and created by and created by Ann O’Hara Ann O’Hara – Associate Director, Technical – Associate Director, Technical Assistance Collaborative IncAssistance Collaborative Inc