News Release

HUD ANNOUNCES MORE THAN $3.6 MILLION TO TWO COLORADO NON-PROFITS TO BENEFIT LOW-INCOME PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

DENVER - U.S. Housing and Urban Development today announced funding for two Colorado projects to benefit low-income persons with disabilities. Construction of facilities in Commerce City and Otero County were approved to receive Section 811 Supportive Housing for persons with disabilities. The grants will help very low-income persons with disabilities find decent housing that they can afford in two Colorado communities

In Commerce City, the HUD grant is awarded to the non-profit Archdiocesan Housing, Inc. The $2,880,000 capital advance will be used to construct 19 one-bedroom units for very low-income, physically disabled and chronically mentally ill residents. The units in the proposed two-story supportive housing will exceed Fair Housing Design Guidelines. The planned facility includes a community room adjacent to the laundry room that facilitates interaction between the residents. Every effort has been made to design a building that accommodates various disabilities both by encouraging maximum independence and providing supportive services, if desired. HUD also approved a three-year rental subsidy contract of $204,600.

HUD approved $557,000 for construction with a three-year rental subsidy contract of $54,000 for the second 811-project is Colorado to be built in Otero County. The non-profit Arkansas Valley Community Center is sponsoring a six-unit group home for five low-income, developmentally disabled residents and one resident manager. To be built in a residential neighborhood, the facility will host a common living room, dining room, kitchen, laundry, computer area and patio/porch to encourage socializing. The kitchen is designed for residents with an array of disabilities, i.e., blind, deaf, use of a wheelchair.

Housing constructed using interest-free capital advances under HUD's Section 811 Program are primarily used in smaller newly constructed buildings, typically group homes for three to four people, or condominium-type units. Eligible residents pay 30 percent of their adjusted income for rent and the federal government will pay the rest. Households must have one or more very low-income adult with physical or developmental disability or living with chronic mental illness.

The term "person with disabilities" may also include two or more people with disabilities living together, or one or more persons with disabilities living with one or more live-in attendants. The program provides persons with disabilities the opportunity to live independently in their communities by increasing the supply of rental housing with the availability of supportive services.

Project rental assistance funds are provided to cover the difference between the HUD-approved operating cost for the project and the tenants' contribution towards rent. Project rental assistance contracts are approved initially for 3 years and are renewable based on the availability of funds.

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HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities; creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans; and supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development, and enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov and espanol.hud.gov. Note to editors: A state-by-state list of individual grant recipients is available on the HUD Website.