Pennsylvania Housing Choices

This section includes printed material, links to other websites and specialized language that pertains to housing options for people with mental illness and co-occurring disorders.

Publications · Directory of Websites · Glossary · Acronyms

Publications

The Housing Choices Newsletter has been published quarterly since 1996 and includes educational articles dealing with housing needs and issues for people with mental illness and co-occurring disorders such as exemplary programs, funding, fair housing, government programs, homeownership, healthcare, homelessness, providers, etc.
Download a Housing Choices Newsletter
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader®):
- In the March 2008 Edition
  - Housing For All - Dealing with Affordable Housing Shortages in Centre and Monroe Counties
  - Ending Homelessness One Home At A Time
  - From Homeless to Helpful - One Person's Recovery
  - 2007 McKinney Award Results
- In the November 2007 Edition
  - Transforming CRRs - A Process for Success
  - Getting People Jobs in the Community - Recovery Through Employment
- In the March 2007 Edition
  - A Creative Use of Resources - Huntingdon/Mifflin/Juniata LHOT
  - Innovative Forensics Program - Allegheny County
  - HUD Releases Homelessness Study
- In the July 2007 Edition
  - Carving a Journey to Recovery
  - Collaborative Effort to Ensure Continuum of Care - Delaware County
  - LHOTs Make a Difference
- In the December 2006 Edition
  - Innovative Housing Planned for Northampton County
  - Expansion of Technical Assistance
  - Road Map to Affordable Housing in Centre County
  - Homeless Management Information Systems
- In the July 2006 Edition
  - Pennsylvania a Leader in Housing and Recovery-Oriented Services
  - LHOTs Speak Out
- In the March 2006 Edition
  - HUD Recognizes Agencies that Serve Homeless
  - Bringing Homeless Concerns to the Table
  - Empowerment Through Employment
  - Investing in Advocacy
- In the December 2005 Edition
  - On the Road to More Housing Options in Pennsylvania
  - A Sense of Community Within an LHOT (Lebanon County)
  - Judith Courson - Tribute to a Housing Specialist with Passion
- In the August 2005 Edition
  - Creative Uses with Reinvestment Dollars
  - Creating a Landlord Liaison
  - Landlord Communication Flowchart
  - A Voice of Inspiration
  - Franklin/Fulton Local Housing Options Team (LHOT)
- In the February 2005 Edition
  - Evolution of the Fairweather Lodge
  - Showcasing Erie
  - Keys To Success
  - Recovery Process
  - Managing Your Hard Earned Money
- In the Fall 2004 Edition
  - Joining Forces to End Homelessness
  - Schedule of Housing Specialist Meetings
  - National Fairweather Lodge Conference Collage
  - PA Adds Five New PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) Programs
  - Dr. Daniel Fisher
- In the Spring 2004 Edition
  - Unique Partnership Provides Real Life Living Experiences For Adolescents
  - Stepping Stones
  - 626 Co-op
  - Lawrence County Street Count
- In the Winter 2003 - 2004 Edition
  - Expanding Services to Youth In Transition
  - PATH (Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness) Plus
  - Larry Segal Named State Housing Director
  - Montgomery County PHOT (Permanent Housing Options Team)
- In the Fall 2003 Edition
  - MISA (Mental Illness/Substance Abuse) Treatment - An Integrated Approach
  - Stone Harbour
  - Mentally Ill Elderly
- In the April 2003 Edition
  - People with Disabilities Thrive in Communities of Faith
  - Delaware County LHOT (Local Housing Options Team)
  - Reducing Recividism
  - First Local Housing Options Team (LHOT) Coordinator Hired
- In the January 2003 Edition
  - Preventative Measures to Incarceration
  - Pysch Rehab Training
  - Horizon House receives grant
  - MAWD (Medical Assistance for Workers with Disabilities)
- In the Summer 2002 Edition
  - Milestones Setting New Trends in Pennsylvania
  - Pennsylvania Setting the Pace
  - Moving in the Spirit of Olmstead
- In the March 2002 Edition
  - Exemplary Fairweather Lodge Program in Erie
  - LHOTs (Local Housing Options Teams)
  - Guidebook Available
- In the Fall 2001 Edition
  - Jefferson County Meeting the Housing Needs of People with Disabilities
  - Housing the Forensic Population
  - Best Practices Digest
  - Upcoming Housing Specialists Meeting
  - Millennial Housing Commission
  - Profile on Feather Houstoun
- In the April 2001 Edition
  - Building Bridges to Better Housing
  - Housing Needs of Different Communities
  - Newly Revised HUD Voucher Program
- In the Summer 2001 Edition
  - Horizon House Creates an Inclusive World For People With Disabilities: An in-depth look at how two Horizon House Divisions make this happen
  - Homeless Services Division
  - Ending Homelessness Conference
  - The Disability Odyssey Continues
  - Expanding Homeownership
- In the January 2001 Edition
  - Deshon Place Helps Homeless Individuals Transition Into The Mainstream
  - Technical Assistance A Must
  - Counties Receive Technical Assistance
  - Community Opposes Housing
  - PA Regional Homeless Assistance Process
  - Housing Choices '01 Conference
Housing Work Group Report: A Plan for Promoting Housing and Recovery-Oriented Services
A Plan for Promoting Housing and Recovery-Oriented Services provides the principles, strategies and action plan for expanding affordable housing with recovery-oriented services for consumers, as called for in the 2005 landmark document entitled A Call for Change: Toward a Recovery-Oriented Mental Health Service System for Adults. This document includes the rationale, philosophy, benefits, principles, goals, barriers, recommendations and definition for supportive housing.
Download the "Housing Work Group Report"
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader®):
FACES of Recovery: Supporting People in Housing
The FACES publication addresses the priorities and objectives set out in the OMHSAS Housing Work Group Report.
Specifically, this publication contains:
- Definitions and examples of Recovery-Oriented Services.
- Case Studies of Two Counties that have Recovery-Oriented Mental Health Systems.
- Testimonies of individuals who have participated in recovery-oriented services.
Download "Faces of Recovery"
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader®):
Digest of Model Programs for the Homeless: Rural Outreach and Engagement and Housing First
The Digest of Model Programs for the Homeless illustrates the innovative and creative ways in which different agencies are pooling resources and collaborating to reach out to homeless individuals with mental illness, engage their trust, and expand their housing options.
Download the "Digest of Model Programs for the Homeless"
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader®):
Hammering Out Housing Solutions: A Digest of Pennsylvania Initiatives
The purpose of the Housing Solutions Digest is to spread information about the many creative and exciting state and local efforts being undertaken to address the housing needs of people with disabilities throughout the Commonwealth. It is a user-friendly digest that documents current issues and trends in Pennsylvania's attempts to meet the housing needs of people with disabilities. Descriptions of problems and solutions are supplemented with examples and contact information so that the digest can serve as an excellent resource for organizations and other groups interested in initiating or expanding housing opportunities in their communities.
Download Hammering Out Housing Solutions
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader®):
Compendium of Housing Programs In Pennsylvania: A resource for expanding affordable accessible housing for people with disabilities
The Compendium contains information on sources of funding for the development and operation of affordable, accessible housing.
Download the Funding Compendium:
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader®):
The entire funding compendium is a 115 page, 1.29 megabyte document which will take approximately 3 minutes to download on a 56K modem. We have broken it into 4 sections.
- Pages 1 - 20 (535KB - Approx. 1 min 15 sec download on a 56K modem) - Table of Contents and Indexes
- Pages 21 - 55 (535KB - Approx. 34 sec download on a 56K modem) - Introduction and housing programs
- Pages 56 - 89 (535KB - Approx. 51 sec download on a 56K modem) - National and state funding/loans
- Pages 90 - 115 (535KB - Approx. 22 sec download on a 56K modem) - Local funding/loans, appendixes, glossary
When the Law Says It's Okay to Bend the Rules: Reasonable Accommodations.
This pamphlet provides an explanation of what is regarded as a "Reasonable Accommodation" and how to request a "Reasonable Accommodation".
Download When the Law Says It's Okay to Bend the Rules
(Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader®)

Directory of Websites

The following is a listing of organizations and their websites related to housing for people with mental illness and co-occurring disorders.

Housing Resources

STATE AGENCIES
Pennsylvania Association of Housing and Redevelopment Agencies (PAHRA)
www.pahra.org
The Pennsylvania Association of Housing and Redevelopment Agencies (PAHRA) is an affiliation of Pennsylvania's housing authorities, redevelopment authorities, community development agencies and nonprofit corporations. The purposes of PAHRA are to disseminate information relating to housing and community development; study and analyze national, state, and local legislation affecting housing and community development; provide a channel for the frequent exchange of ideas, experiences and innovations within the fields of housing and community development; and increase public understanding of the methods and objectives of housing and community development agencies.
Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development (DCED)
www.inventpa.com
DCED's housing assistance programs encompass a wide range of services, from assistance to senior citizens and low-income families for needed repairs of their home to financial assistance to first time homebuyers. Funding for weatherizing homes and the installation of fire alarms are examples of other types of programs funded by DCED. These programs address the critical needs of twelve million people in the Commonwealth and provide a basic human need--that of shelter. Under housing assistance, you will find specific housing issues in renting a home, buying a home, emergency mortgage assistance, temporary housing and emergency shelters, and fixing your home.
Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency (PHFA)
www.phfa.org
The Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency was created by the General Assembly in 1972 to provide more affordable housing for older adults, families of modest means and persons with disabilities. To date, the Agency has financed more than 100,000 houses and 56,000 apartment units while saving 32,000 homes from foreclosure. PHFA's funding comes from a variety of sources; including the sale of its own securities to private investors throughout the United States; and, program fees and funds that may be passed through from the state or federal governments. Agency expenses are paid from fee and investment income; part of the investment earnings are used to subsidize housing programs.
FEDERAL AGENCIES
National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO)
www.nahro.org
NAHRO is a leading housing and community development advocate for the provision of adequate and affordable housing and strong, viable communities for all Americans-particularly those with low- and moderate-incomes. Its members administer HUD programs such as Public Housing, Section 8, CDBG and HOME.
The National Fair Housing Advocate Online
www.fairhousing.com
The National Fair Housing Advocate Online is a resource designed to serve both the fair housing advocacy community and the general public with timely news and information regarding the issues of housing discrimination. This site is maintained by the Tennessee Fair Housing Council.
Center for Housing and New Economics Community - CHANCE
www.chance.unh.edu
CHANCE's mission is to improve and increase access to integrated, affordable, and accessible housing coordinated with, but separate from, personal assistance and supportive services. CHANCE focuses on Project Access, the Community Living Exchange Collaborative, Strategies, Barriers, and Outcomes of Home Ownership for People with Severe Disabilities and The National Home of Your Own Alliance Clearinghouse.
National Housing Institute (NHI)
www.nhi.org
NHI examines the key issues affecting affordable housing and community development practitioners and their supporters. These issues include housing, jobs, safety, and education, with an emphasis on housing and economic development, as well as poverty and racism, disinvestment and lack of employment, and breakdown of the social fabric.
National Low Income Housing Coalition
www.nlihc.org
The National Low Income Housing Coalition is dedicated to ending America's affordable housing crisis, focusing on the housing needs of the lowest income households.
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development
www.hud.gov
HUD is the most significant source of funding for affordable housing. This site provides information on HUD programs, funding opportunities, and new initiatives.
NON-PROFIT AGENCIES
Concern for Independent Living, Inc.
www.concernhousing.org
Concern for Independent Living, Inc primarily serves Long Island, New York. Their mission is to provide safe, affordable housing within the community to persons recovering from psychiatric and other disabilities and to low-income individuals and families; to offer supportive services and vocational opportunities; to foster independence, empowerment, and recovery; to assist individuals and families to develop and achieve their goals; and to advocate on both an individual and societal level to reduce the stigma of mental illness to allow persons with psychiatric and other disabilities to live with independence, support, and dignity.
Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH)
www.csh.org
CSH makes supportive housing understood, available, and effective. They advance their mission by providing high-quality advice and development expertise; by making loans and grants to supportive housing sponsors; by strengthening the supportive housing industry; and by reforming public policy to make it easier to create and operate supportive housing. CSH works with its partners to foster innovative approaches to supportive housing, and then builds awareness and support for these new ideas.
Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania (HAP)
www.housingalliancepa.org
The Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania was formed in 1985 for the purpose of ensuring that all Pennsylvanians, particularly those who are low income, have access to decent, safe and affordable housing. HAP joins the individual views of its members into a statewide voice to advocate for increased resources for affordable housing.
Housing Assistance Council
www.ruralhome.org
A nonprofit corporation headquartered in Washington, D.C., the Housing Assistance Council (HAC) has been helping local organizations build affordable homes in rural America since 1971. HAC emphasizes local solutions, empowerment of the poor, reduced dependence, and self-help strategies. HAC assists in the development of both single- and multi-family homes and promotes homeownership for working low-income rural families through a self-help, "sweat equity" construction method.
Self-Determination Housing Project of Pennsylvania (SDHP)
www.sdhp.org
SDHP, a statewide organization founded in 1994 and incorporated as a non-profit organization in 1998, promotes self-determination in housing choice and control for people with disabilities in Pennsylvania. SDHP builds upon national and state efforts to increase the stock of affordable, accessible and integrated housing through outreach and education, advocacy and policy and development, technical assistance and program development.
Technical Assistance Collaborative (TAC)
www.tacinc.org
TAC is a national non-profit organization that works to achieve positive outcomes on behalf of people with disabilities, people who are homeless, and people with other special needs by providing state-of-the-art information, capacity building, and technical expertise to organizations and policymakers in the areas of mental health, substance abuse, human services, and affordable housing.

Mental Health and Disability Resources

STATE AGENCIES
PA Department of Public Welfare (DPW) Office of Mental Health and Substance Services (OMHSAS)
www.dpw.state.pa.us/General/AboutDPW/DPWOrganization/003671052.htm
This is the web site for OMHSAS, the sponsor of the PA Housing Choices web site. Behavioral Health services range from community to hospital programs with emphasis on helping children, adolescents, and adults to remain in their communities. Community-based services are emphasized, with the goal to help people who have serious mental illness or serious emotional disturbance break the cycle of repeated hospital or residential admissions. The range of services includes outpatient, partial, residential, short-term inpatient hospital care, emergency crisis intervention services, counseling, information, referral and case management services.
Services provided to adults are based on the Community Support Program (CSP) principles: consumer-centered, consumer-empowered, culturally appropriate, flexible, strengths-based, community-based, natural supports, needs-based and coordinated. In accordance with these principles, vocational/employment services, psychiatric rehabilitation services, community treatment teams, housing supports, consumer-run drop-in centers, social/recreational services as well as other locally designed services for special needs and populations are also available to adults.
Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council
www.paddc.org
The Pennsylvania Developmental Disabilities Council is a group made up of people with disabilities, family members, advocates, and state department representatives who work to create favorable conditions for people with developmental disabilities and their families in the Commonwealth. Created under a federal act and Governor's Executive Order, the Council is both a planning group and a funding body.
FEDERAL AGENCIES
National Institute of Mental Health
www.nimh.nih.gov
The NIMH is the lead Federal agency for research on mental and behavioral disorders. Their mission is to reduce the burden of mental illness and behavioral disorders through research on mind, brain, and behavior.
National Mental Health Information Center Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS)
www.mentalhealth.org
The Center for Mental Health Services (CMHS) is charged with leading the national system that delivers mental health services. The goal of this system is to provide the treatment and support services needed by adults with mental disorders and children with serious emotional problems.
PATH Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness
www.pathprogram.samhsa.gov
Created under the McKinney Act, The PATH Program, is a formula grant program that funds the 50 States, District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and four U.S. Territories to support service delivery to individuals with serious mental illnesses, as well as individuals with co-occurring substance use disorders, who are homeless or at risk of becoming homeless. This site contains useful resources generated by the PATH program.
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA)
www.samhsa.gov
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), was established by an act of Congress in 1992 under Public Law 102-321. SAMHSA was created to focus attention, programs, and funding on improving the lives of people with or at risk for mental health and substance abuse disorders.
NON-PROFIT AGENCIES
The Coalition for Community Living
www.theccl.org
The coalition is responsible for the Fairweather Lodge, a residential vocational community program providing opportunities for individuals diagnosed with persistent psychiatric conditions. The Lodge program allows consumers to function at their optimum potential. This includes learning ways to discuss and solve any problems or concerns along with helping one another in the process.
Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities
www.c-c-d.org
The Consortium for Citizens with Disabilities is a coalition of approximately 100 national disability organizations working together to advocate for national public policy that ensures the self determination, independence, empowerment, integration and inclusion of children and adults with disabilities in all aspects of society.
Disabilities Law Project
www.dlp-pa.org
The Disabilities Law Project (DLP) is a non profit statewide public interest law firm that provides legal assistance and other services to individuals with disabilities, their organizations, their families, and their advocates. DLP's main purpose is to advocate for the civil rights of persons with mental and physical disabilities, especially their right to live as integral parts of their communities.
Judge David L. Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law
www.bazelon.org
The Bazelon Center for Mental Health Law is a national legal advocate for people with mental disabilities. Through precedent-setting litigation and in the public policy arena, the Bazelon Center works to advance and preserve the rights of people with mental illness and co-occurring disorderses and developmental disabilities.
National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI)
www.nami.org
NAMI is a nonprofit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illnesses, such as schizophrenia, schizoaffective disorder, bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, panic and other severe anxiety disorders, autism and pervasive developmental disorders, attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder, and other severe and persistent mental illnesses that affect the brain.
NAMI Pennsylvania
www.namipa.nami.org
Founded in 1983, NAMI PA is the largest statewide non-profit organization dedicated to helping mental health consumers and their families rebuild their lives and conquer the challenges posed by severe and persistent mental illness. This mission is accomplished through programs designed to offer support and education to our membership and to advocate for better mental health services on their behalf.
National Empowerment Center, Inc.
www.power2u.org
The mission of the National Empowerment Center Inc. is to carry a message of recovery, empowerment, hope and healing to people who have been diagnosed with mental illness. The National Empowerment Center is a consumer/survivor/expatient-run organization.
National Mental Health Association
www.nmha.org
The National Mental Health Association (NMHA) is the country's oldest and largest nonprofit organization addressing all aspects of mental health and mental illness. With more than 340 affiliates nationwide. NMHA works to improve the mental health of all Americans, especially the 54 million individuals with mental disorders, through advocacy, education, research and service.
The following are Affiliate Mental Health Association websites in Pennsylvania:
The Mental Health Association in Pennsylvania
www.mhapa.org
Mental Health Association in Westmoreland County
www.mhawc.org
The Mental Health Association of Allegheny County
www.mhaac.net
Mental Health Association of Franklin & Fulton Counties
www.mhaff.org
Mental Health Association of Northwestern Pennsylvania
www.mhanp.org
Mental Health Association of Southeastern Pennsylvania
www.mhasp.org
Pennsylvania - The Advocacy Alliance-A Mental Health Association
www.theadvocacyalliance.org
Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers' Association
www.pmhca.org
The Pennsylvania Mental Health Consumers' Association (PMHCA) is a statewide membership organization representative of the individual and collective expression of people who have recovered or are recovering from mental illness. The purpose of the Association is to improve the quality of our lives through advocacy, education and the elimination of stigma and discrimination.
Pennsylvania Protection and Advocacy, Inc. (PP&A)
www.ppainc.org
PP&A is an independent, nonprofit agency mandated by the federal government to protect and advocate for the rights of people with disabilities. PP&A provides information, referrals, and technical assistance with the intent to promote consumer empowerment and assist consumers with self-advocacy, to assist consumers in obtaining appropriate services, and to promote total inclusion of consumers in the general public.
Policy Research Associates, Inc. (PRA)
www.prainc.com
Policy Research Associates, Inc. (PRA) is a small business offering comprehensive services - applied research, policy analysis, evaluation studies, knowledge development and application, and technical assistance - with a primary focus on mental health services issues at the federal, state, and local levels. PRA projects are funded by federal and state agencies, national organizations, and foundations.

Homelessness Resources

FEDERAL AGENCIES
Interagency Council on Homelessness
www.ich.gov
Congress established the Interagency Council on Homelessness in 1987 with the passage of the Stewart B. McKinney Homeless Assistance Act. The Council is responsible for providing Federal leadership for activities to assist homeless families and individuals.
NON-PROFIT AGENCIES
National Alliance to End Homelessness
www.endhomelessness.org
The National Alliance to End Homelessness is a nonprofit organization whose mission is to mobilize the nonprofit, public and private sectors of society in an alliance to end homelessness. The Alliance represents a united effort to address the root causes of homelessness and challenge society's acceptance of homelessness as an inevitable by-product of American life.
The National Coalition for the Homeless (NCH)
www.nationalhomeless.org
The mission of the National Coalition for the Homeless is to end homelessness. The focus of their work is in the following four areas: housing justice, economic justice, health care justice, and civil and voting rights. Their approaches are grassroots organizing, public education, policy advocacy, technical assistance, and partnerships.

Glossary
The following includes a list of definitions and acronyms often used when referring to housing for people with mental illness and co-occurring disorders.

Definitions
Affordable Housing
Affordable Housing is generally defined as housing where the occupant is paying no more than 30 percent of his or her adjusted gross income for housing costs, including utilities.
CHIPP
The Community Hospital Integration Projects Program (CHIPP) is a state initiative designed to promote the discharge of persons from state mental hospitals who have a long-term history of hospitalization or otherwise complex service needs and who have been unable to be supported successfully in the community. The program develops the community resources and programs needed for each person placed by CHIPP.
Community-based nonprofit organization
A private nonprofit organization that is organized under State or local laws, provides no part of net income to anyone and has a long-term record of service in providing or financing quality affordable housing for low-income families through relationships with public entities.
Housing Choice Voucher Program (Formerly called Section 8)
These rental subsidies are available through the Public Housing Authority. Some communities have a "preference" for people with disabilities which enables people with disabilities, including those with mental illness to receive priority for obtaining Housing Choice Vouchers.
Low-Income
A household whose income does not exceed 80 percent of the median income for the area, as determined by HUD, with adjustments for smaller or larger families. HUD may establish income ceilings higher or lower than 80 percent of the median on the basis of HUD's findings that such variations are necessary because of prevailing levels of construction costs or fair market rents, or unusually high or low family incomes.
McKinney Vento Continuum of Care
Funding from HUD for housing and services for the homeless.
NOFA
Notice of Funding Availability, published in the Federal Register to announce available funds and application requirements.
Olmstead
A Supreme Court decision in July 1999 that clearly challenges federal, state, and local governments to develop more opportunities for individuals with disabilities through more accessible systems of cost-effective community-based services.
Permanent Supportive Housing
This housing is combined with supportive services to enable homeless individuals and families with disabilities to live as independently as possible in a permanent setting.
Public Housing Agency (PHA)
A local organization that uses federal funds to build and manage affordable housing for low and very low-income people.
Recovery
According to the President's New Freedom Commission definition, Recovery refers to the process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. For some individuals, recovery is the ability to live a fulfilling and productive life despite a disability. For others, recovery implies the reduction or complete remission of symptoms. Science has shown that having hope plays an integral role in an individual's recovery.
Safe Haven
A form of supportive housing that serves hard to reach homeless persons who have severe mental illness, provides 24-hour residence for an unspecified duration, provides private or semi-private accommodations and has overnight occupancy limited to 25 persons.
Section 8 Homeownership Program
Allows low-income families who qualify for Housing Choice Vouchers/Section 8 rental assistance to use their vouchers to assist with mortgage payments.
Section 8 Moderate Rehabilitation Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Program *
The SRO program provides rental assistance to homeless individuals in connection with the moderate rehabilitation of SRO dwellings. Resources to fund the cost of rehabilitating the dwellings must be from other sources. However, the rental assistance covers operating expenses of the SRO housing, including debt service for rehabilitation financing, provided that the monthly rental assistance or unit does not exceed the moderate rehabilitation fair market rent for an SRO unit as established by HUD.
Section 811
A program to enable persons with disabilities to live with dignity and independence within their communities by expanding the supply of housing. Section 811 provides rental assistance and the non-profit sponsor must provide supportive services which address the individual health, mental health and other needs of the residents.
Shelter Plus Care (S+C) Program *
Provides grants for rental assistance for homeless persons with disabilities through four component programs: Tenant, Sponsor, Project, and Single Room Occupancy (SRO) Rental Assistance.
Single Room Occupancy (SRO)
Housing that is a single room, sometimes with private bath and cooking facilities.
Supportive Housing
Housing, including housing units and group quarters, that has a supportive environment and includes a planned service component.
Supportive Housing Program (SHP) *
The HUD Supportive Housing Program promotes the development of supportive housing and supportive services, including innovative approaches that assist homeless persons in the transition from homelessness and enable them to live as independently as possible. SHP funds may be used to provide transitional housing, permanent, supportive housing, innovative supportive housing, supportive services, or safe havens for homeless persons with disabilities.
Supportive Services
Services provided to residents of supportive housing for the purpose of facilitating their independence. Examples include case management, medical or psychological counseling and supervision, child care, transportation, and job training.
Tenant-Based (Rental) Assistance
Assistance to low- and very low income families for obtaining decent, safe, and sanitary housing in private rental accommodations by making up the difference between what they can afford and the approved rent for an adequate housing unit.
Very Low-Income
Family whose "annual income" does not exceed 50 percent of the median income for the area (adjusted for family size).
*Funding through McKinney Vento

Acronyms

AARP Association of American Retired Persons

ACLU American Civil Liberties Union

ADA Americans with Disabilities Act

ADAPT American Disabled for Attendant Programs Today

AIDS Auto Immune Deficiency Syndrome

CDBG Community Development Block Grant

CHDO Community Housing Development Organization

CIL Center for Independent Living

CRR Community Residential Rehabilitation facility

CSP Community Support Program

DCED Department of Community and Economic Development

DDC Developmental Disabilities Council

DPW Department of Public Welfare

HAP Homeless Assistance Program

HOME HOME Investment Partnership Act

HOPWA Housing Opportunities for People With AIDS

HUD Housing and Urban Development

IAPSRS International Association of Psychosocial Rehabilitation Services

LHOT Local Housing Option Team

LTSR Long Term Structured Residential facility

MH Mental Health

MISA Mental Illness and Substance Abuse

NAMI National Alliance for the Mentally Ill

OMHSAS Office of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services

OVR Office of Vocational Rehabilitation

PATH Projects for Assistance in Transition from Homelessness

PCIL PA Council on Independent Living

PHFA PA Housing Finance Agency

PPA Pennsylvania Protection and Advocacy

RFP Request For Proposal

SAMHSA Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration

SAPT Service Area Planning Team

SDHP Self-Determination Housing Project of Pennsylvania

SHP Supportive Housing Program

SRO Single Room Occupancy

SSDI Social Security Disability Income

SSI Supplemental Security Income

TBRA Tenant-Based Rental Assistance