CW: Homelessness & Poverty
Federal officials are allotting millions of dollars to states to improve housing for disabled people. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development announced this month that 18 states will share $138.5 million in funds made available under the Section 811 Project Rental Assistance for Persons with Disabilities program.
“Under the Biden-Harris administration, we are committed to removing barriers to housing and ensuring that everyone has access to an accessible, quality and affordable home that meets their needs,” said Adrianne Todman, the housing agency’s acting secretary. “Today’s awards will support Americans with disabilities by both creating affordable housing and expanding crucial support services.”
Housing agencies in each of the selected states will get $4 million to $8 million to assist disabled people in obtaining affordable housing in existing, new, or upgraded, multifamily housing developments, according to officials. The funds will enable states to establish strategies for identifying and referring people housing options, as well as providing rental assistance. HUD expects state agencies to collaborate with Medicaid and health and human services organizations to connect disabled people to home and community-based services.
Grants will be distributed to housing agencies in California, Ohio, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Indiana, Nebraska, Kansas, Texas, Minnesota, Washington, Michigan, Kentucky, Utah, and Oregon. The grants are expected to help fund more than 3,000 housing units.
This funding comes just months after the Supreme Court ruled in favor of a small Oregon town that imposes civil penalties for unhoused people who are sleeping in public places.
The court’s 6-3 decision in City of Grants Pass v. Johnson is the most significant case involving homelessness in decades. It comes as cities across the country grapple with an increase in the number of people without shelter.
Disability rights advocates expressed concern about the impact of the decision on disabled people. Disabled people are more likely to be homeless or experience housing insecurity than nondisabled people. In 2023, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) estimated that roughly one-third of those experiencing homelessness in the U.S. are chronically homeless and disabled.
There are many factors that contribute to housing insecurity among disabled people. Many disabled people live in poverty, and can’t afford stable, safe housing. According to a 2015 NPR report, disabled Americans are twice as likely as nondisabled Americans to live in poverty.
Some disabled people can qualify for Section 8. However, this can be a years-long process. Housing vouchers are limited each year. Families in need of vouchers have waited on waitlists for over 2.5 years on average nationwide before receiving them.
Making things more complicated is the lack of accessible, housing available for disabled people. Apartment List conducted a study in February 2020 utilizing data from the American Community Survey and the American Housing Survey. According to the report, only 9% of households with a disabled family member reside in an accessible home. Even though more than 15% of American households have a member who is physically disabled, just 6% of homes are accessible.
Hopefully, additional funding will allow more disabled people to live in safe, secure, and affordable housing. More resources should be available for disabled people who live in poverty. Housing is an essential part of life for everyone.
Sources:
“2023 Annual Homelessness Assessment Report .” The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development, 15 Dec. 2023, http://www.huduser.gov/portal/sites/default/files/pdf/2023-ahar-part-1.Pdf.
Acosta, Sonya, and Erik Gartland. “Families Wait Years for Housing Vouchers Due to Inadequate Funding.” Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, 22 July 2021, https://www.cbpp.org/research/housing/families-wait-years-for-housing-vouchers-due-to-inadequate-funding.
Fessler, Pam. “Why Disability and Poverty Still Go Hand in Hand 25 Years After Landmark Law.” NPR, NPR, 23 July 2015, http://www.npr.org/sections/health-shots/2015/07/23/424990474/why-disability-and-poverty-still-go-hand-in-hand-25-years-after-landmark-law.
Heasley, Shaun. “Millions Headed to States to Support Disability Housing.” Disability Scoop, Disability Scoop, 19 Aug. 2024, http://www.disabilityscoop.com/2024/08/19/millions-headed-to-states-to-support-disability-housing/31013/.
Monod, Evan. “The Supreme Court Just Opened the Door to the Criminalization of Disability.” Slate Magazine, Graham Holdings Company, 1 July 2024, slate.com/news-and-politics/2024/07/supreme-court-criminalization-disability-grants-pass-homelessness.html.
Quinn, Mellisa. “Supreme Court Allows Camping Bans Targeting Homeless Encampments.” CBS News, CBS Interactive, 28 June 2024, http://www.cbsnews.com/amp/news/supreme-court-homelessness-case-camping-ban/.