Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Housing for People with Disabilities in Stimulus

From Steve Gold at The Disability Odyssey continues:
Housing Information: Omnibus Act and Stimulus Bill.
Information Bulletin #282

Congress has $30 million for 2009 housing choice "Mainstream" vouchers to be used only for non-elderly people with disabilities. That's about 3,400 new vouchers - Mainstream Vouchers. These are competitive vouchers requiring application. Because these Mainstream vouchers are so competitive, advocates might want to consider the following:

  • For those States that have received Money Follows the Person grants, a lot of new vouchers could be used to help people transition out of institutions- if your State and your Housing Authorities work together and apply.
  • For those States that want to maximize the number of people who transition out of institutions, consider using these 2008 and 2009 Mainstream vouchers together with HOME's Tenant Based Rental Assistance vouchers. Work with your State and Housing Authorities to put together an intelligent package of a number of housing components to transition people out of institutions.

For more information, or for back issues of other Information Bulletins online, visit: http://www.stevegoldada.com with a searchable Archive at this site divided into different subjects. To contact Steve Gold directly, write to stevegoldada@cs.com or call 215-627-7100.

28 comments:

Anonymous said...

This is great to see that there is $30 million dollars to be used for housing people with disabilities although I wish it could be others instead of the elderly. Of course I would love that the elderly be removed from institutions and into a nice housing provided by these competitive mainstream vouchers. I did notice though those only 3,400 vouchers are known. Does anyone know why? Could it be because they are very competitive or the two rules?
JudithW

Anonymous said...

I can really see why this bill is so important because it would be helping those other people who have a disability. The majority of monies were used to help the elderly especially those with a disability. So knowing that there is something out there for the non- elderly is good. Not only is good that they are receiveing money but this is giving them the opportunity to move out of institutions if they are in one.

Joana J.

Anonymous said...

This Stimulus is really going to help the non elderly with disabilities. Its pretty good to see that money is going to younger people with disabilities for housing purposes. This is going to help a younger generation of people with disabilities be able to maintain a home and probably even a steady job. Although there could be more money directed to these purpose so that more people can participate in the program, but oh well 30 million sounds good for now. Hopefully in next years budget they can add a couple of zeros to this funding.
-Francisco N.-

Anonymous said...

These vouchers are extremely important since they are directed towards non-elderly people who have a disability. It could really help people, if they are in institutions, have a greater hope for their future and may trigger a greater expectation of themselves. My only concern is, how competitive are these vouchers really? I would imagine they are very competitive due to the fact that there is 3,400 new Mainstream Vouchers. Hopefully their success can trigger Congress to pass move money over for the cause.

-Mariel G.

Anonymous said...

Housing for individuals with disabilities is important. 30mIl. may sound like a lot but it really isn't. It will make a difference in a few lives and that is a good thing.

Anonymous said...

It is great to know that people with disability have hope of moving out of an institutions mostly the younger once who wish to live an independent life and do more,It is good that they are receiveing money, it also going to them an opportunity to move out of institutions if they are in one.
It is a wonderful thing to know about this $ 30 million dollars.
Anthonia .F.

Anonymous said...

I'm glad to hear that money is going to be spent wisely to help the people that need help. Since most elderly people and those with disabilities already help, giving money to the younger generation will give them a chance to live a life without the institutions and Godwilling hold a steady job. Although its not alot of money, its a great place to start. Maybe someday everyone will get the chance to recieve this type of aid without having to go through an application process.

Victoria G.

Robbie G. said...

I'm glad they are considering giving a $30 million dollar stimulus to younger individuals with disabilities. I think this stimulus package is going to help the younger generation get back on their feet and start out their new lives.

Anonymous said...

Although this may be a great thing, it won't help that many people. Housing prices are rising right now and the banks are going out like flies.
People with disabilities need more than just housing. They need assistance, they need a support network and they need help within the VR system. Each voucher will only give an individual with a disability $8824.00. My thoughts and suggestion would be to invest in a better VR system.

John-Robert I.

Anonymous said...

I hope that this 30 million dollars will be able to reach quiet a few people lives. It is important that we take care of the ederly and those PWD.

Anonymous said...

It's great to learn that the government is interested in helping young people with disabilies. I think is really hard for young ones to go out there on their own and begin their lives. getting a house sounds extremely difficult for me and now imagine for PWD who are less likely to find a job because of discrimination and other things. This money will be a great help for those who get it.

Grace R.

Anonymous said...

It is great to see that already there are some changes in the goverment to help people with disabilities. By allowing people a chance to live out of an institution may give them a sense of independence. Unfortunatly, there is a limit to the amount of peple receiving the help, however I do hope that the people taking the applications make a good choice. The help is for every tax payer, and I am glad to see that the monies are being used for the PWD as well.
Paula S

Anonymous said...

I really enjoyed reading this article because now you could see something being done. It’s better for people with disability to be treated fair and like normal. They just want to be like everybody else which they are but know they are getting closer. I am really proud that they will get to live in a house or apartment of their own and get out of sharing an institution room. It is also good to see that the money is being used for good things not just being kept by the government and big money hungry business. It’s being put to good use I hope it continues and the amount of money keeps on getting bigger. If it gets bigger then more lives are being given a chance.

Krystal R.

Anonymous said...

it is good to see that there is money put aside to house people with disabilities.
-shannon l.

Anonymous said...

It is awesome to hear that $30 million dollars are going to be used for housing people with disabilities. Even though this money won’t help everyone, but at least it will help some, something is always better than nothing at all. There is a bit of a concern since there are only certain amount of vouchers, how competitive is it? I hope that they can later give more money to help all individuals in need.
Daphne J.

Anonymous said...

Yay!! Finally millions of dollars going out to people who need it. I think that this stimulus is really going to take good effect with these people and thank goodness. I know that any kind of help anyone recieves is a blessing so hopefully good things turn out from this.

Danielle C.

Anonymous said...

How is this going to help people with disabilities? I have yet to find that out because that will only give those people $8823. Then what.. are we going bail them out too once that money has run out?

Instead, why not invest that 8823.00 in VR care. These people don't need help with housing, they need VR care to help them come out of the disability and start working again.

I have a huge problem with wasteful spending. I consider this wasteful spending ONLY people it's only helping 3,400 people and those people aren't getting other kinds of help. This bothers me.

John-Robert I.

Anonymous said...

This is a good opportunity for people who are seeking housing and stuff like that, but why only the elderly. The elderly aren’t the only ones who are disabled and need the help. Moving out of the institutions that they are in is also a big progression but $30 million isn’t a lot of money especially because a lot of people are seeking for this help.

Evelyn A

Anonymous said...

I think that its great to see that Congress is trying to help out elderly people with disabilities in providing housing. I'd have to disagree with John Roberts a little, its not wasteful spending, its investing and helping people out as much as they can. Any little bit of money, no matter the amount helps.

Diana O.

Anonymous said...

I wish they would give more than just $30 million dollars. It may sound like it is a lot but that money will still go quick and there are still going to be people left out. It still will help out a lot of people and i am glad that they are going to be able to live out on their own because i personally think that people with disabilites want to live like everyone else cause they are like everyone else.

^Cristopher A.^

Anonymous said...

That are great news! $30 million for housing, that really sounds great. It is very nice to know that efforts are being done to help people with disabilities, not only the elderly but everyone. This is a great bill that is very important for the community.
Y. Torres

Anonymous said...

Its great that younger people with disabilities are getting this stimulus. Now if only we could get more money for school... :-/

Andrea H.

Anonymous said...

It's great to know that the elderly with disabilities are being provided with housing. Younger PWD are also eligible for this, and it is great that they too are being advantaged from this stimulus. All this money, 30 million, will be of great benefit for these people and help in such a positive way.
Anel C.

Anonymous said...

The stimulus will really help people with disabilities to have a place in housing. It is good to know that there is a lot of money given to them.

Jeannette O

Anonymous said...

it is great seeing this stimulus to help pwd. even though it is only for the elderly is it great to get them in an actual home instead of an elderly home.

justin r.

Anonymous said...

This is great for people who are seeking houseing and who are disabled. Its would be nice for the elderly to be removed from institiutions and be moved to a nice home.
Leah M.

Anonymous said...

It is great that they are taking care of the elder people. I think they could use some money for people with other disabilities. But I'm glad of what thay are doing.

Alberto

Anonymous said...

This is great. There are lots of people with disabilities who are more than excited to hear this. This is their chance to use a boost to claim their independence and be free.
Vanessa M