Where can I find notes from the Essentials of Housing teleconferences? Where can I find notes from the Advanced Strategies teleconferences?

We have provided a direct link to the all of the available Essentials notes for the past few months
May, March, Feb, Jan, Nov, Sep, Oct and Strategies for May, April, March, and Dec. You can also use the search feature at the top of each page and type “Essentials of Housing” or “Advanced Strategies” and a complete list will appear.

Have any states mandated that landlords and property managers keep an updated registry of available, affordable, and accessible units that might be filled by qualified persons with disabilities?

The State of Massachusetts has developed a web-based affordable, accessible housing registry that provides information on the availability of units for individuals with disabilities. The state requires property owners to submit up to date information on availability of accessible units through a legislative mandate. To learn more about MassAccess registry, visit www.massaccesshousingregistry.org.

Have any states set design standards that require accessibility features in publicly financed housing development?

The State Housing Finance agency in Kentucky has developed a set of Universal Design standards to be met by any developer who secures financing through the agency for their housing development. To learn more about this program visit www.kyhousing.org.

There are two sets of regulations regarding design and construction: 504 and The Fair Housing Amendments Act. Since there are discrepancies between the two, does one override the other?

No. 504 applies only to "recipients of federal financial assistance." Therefore, only these recipients must comply with BOTH 504 and the Fair Housing Act.

How do I find the consolidated plan for the Housing agency in my community?

The Consolidated plan for your community may be found at:
Community Planning and Development: State and Local Consolidated Plans

How can I find out more about the priorities and allocation for my state and local under the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development Community Development Block Grant Program (CDBG) and how these will work to expand housing opportunities for individuals with disabilities?

The CDBG program provides annual grants on a formula basis to entitled cities and counties to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing and a suitable living environment, and by expanding economic opportunities, principally for low- and moderate-income persons. Entitlement communities develop their own programs and funding priorities.

To learn about what the funding priorities are for your area and how these priorities will work towards the expansion of affordable and accessible housing for individuals with disabilities, refer to your community's consolidated plan, which is developed by the municipal department that administers the CDBG program. For small cities and rural counties, the CDBG program is administered by the State. Click to learn more about your local CDBG allocation.

How do we find out how much our state housing finance agency receives from the HOME Program?

Allocation plans for each state for 2001-2004 can be found by clicking on the year you are seeking under, "Want more information" at www.hud.gov. Find the allocation plan you want, scroll down and click on the US Map or the name of your state to download a PDF file of your state's allocation plan for the year you specify.

What funding is available to communities interested in expanding access to affordable, accessible, and integrated housing?

Please refer to the funding table included in the archived materials posted with the Web Cast, Exploring the Opportunities: Affordable, Accessible, and Integrated Housing 101

In addition, the Technical Assistance Center, Inc. has published the document, “A Technical Assistance Guide for Housing Resources and Strategies” which includes a table of financing resources for the development of affordable, accessible housing and tenant based subsidies.

What funding streams does a state housing agency utilize to expand affordable housing development for persons of low income including persons with disabilities?

States offer developers the opportunity to compete for low income housing tax credits. The review criteria for competitive applications are defined by each state annually in their Qualified Allocation Plan (QAP). Some states have awarded additional points to developers who will set aside 10 percent of the units in an affordable housing development project for persons with disabilities. Click to learn more about the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program.

What was the amount of funding allocation received by my state and local area under the Housing Choice Voucher program?

To learn more about the Housing Choice Voucher program allocation to your state and how this program can benefit persons with disabilities, view the HUD Fact Sheet.

What state agencies should be working together to expand affordable housing choices coordinated with services?

Several states have organized a Housing Work Group as part of their CMS Real Choice Systems Change grant. State agencies that are participating and meeting regularly are the State Medicaid agency, the State Mental Health agency, the State Mental Retardation/Developmental Disabilities agency and the State Housing Finance Agency. Often, the state’s association of public housing authorities also participates. To learn more about State Housing Finance Agencies visit www.ncsha.org. To learn more about and identify the state association for public housing agencies in your area, visit www.nahro.org.

I have a Real Choice grant. Who do I contact for technical assistance?

Contact Sharon Finney at the following address: sfinney@bcm.tmc.edu