HUD Awards Over $2.5 Million to Provide Permanent Homes and Services to Extremely Low-Income People with Disabilities in Wisconsin

CHICAGO – To help prevent thousands of people with disabilities from being unnecessarily institutionalized or possibly becoming homeless, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) today announced it is awarding over $2.5 million in rental assistance to Wisconsin.  In turn, the Wisconsin Housing and Economic Development Authority will provide permanent affordable rental housing and needed supportive services to 300 households who are extremely low-income persons with disabilities, many of whom are transitioning out of institutional settings.

HUD’s support of state housing agencies is made possible through the Section 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA) programwhich enables persons with disabilities who earn less than 30 percent of their area’s median income to live in integrated, affordable housing.  State housing agencies and their state Medicaid and Health and Human Service partner agencies identify, refer, and support target populations of persons with disabilities who require community-based, long-term care services to live independently.  This is one of several recent collaborative efforts between HUD and the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).

“Everyone needs a stable home to call their own, especially persons with disabilities who can live on their own yet are at risk of becoming homeless,” said HUD Secretary Julián Castro.  “These grants will provide real opportunity by cutting health care costs for states while allowing folks to live as independently as possible.”

“In keeping with the spirit of the U.S. Supreme Ct. Olmstead decision, this funding will ensure that individuals in Wisconsin are provided an opportunity to reside in the least restrictive setting and meaningfully engage in their communities,” indicated Antonio R. Riley, HUD Midwest Regional Administrator.

Today’s announcement reinforces the guiding principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act  and the landmark 1999 Supreme Court ruling in Olmstead v. L.C., helping states and local governments to provide services in the most integrated settings appropriate to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities.

HUD’s mission is to create strong, sustainable, inclusive communities and quality affordable homes for all. HUD is working to strengthen the housing market to bolster the economy and protect consumers; meet the need for quality affordable rental homes: utilize housing as a platform for improving quality of life; build inclusive and sustainable communities free from discrimination; and transform the way HUD does business. More information about HUD and its programs is available at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov.  You can also follow HUD on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, or sign up for news alerts on HUD’s Email List.

NOTE: This press release was submitted to Urban Milwaukee and was not written by an Urban Milwaukee writer. It has not been verified for its accuracy or completeness.