Washington, DC – The Arc released the following statement in response to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) announcement of the FY 2012 awards for the new Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Project Rental Assistance (PRA) Demonstration. The new Section 811 PRA Demonstration is designed to assist state housing agencies to expand integrated supportive housing opportunities for people with the most significant and long term disabilities, and was the centerpiece of the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2010. A total of 13 states will receive $98 million to produce 3,530 units of community-based supportive housing for people with disabilities.

“Like all Americans, individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities deserve the opportunity to live independently in the community with their peers. Unfortunately, low-income people with disabilities face a severe shortage of accessible and affordable housing. The money being awarded by HUD will allow thousands of individuals to live in the community, where they belong. For many, this announcement is the difference between life in an institution and inclusion in their communities,” said Peter V. Berns, CEO of The Arc.

Section 811 is the only HUD program dedicated to producing affordable, accessible housing for non-elderly, very low-income people with significant disabilities. The Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2010 modernized Section 811 to make the program more efficient and effective. Today’s awards are the first ever under the new Section 811 PRA Demonstration model, which will create integrated housing linked with community-based services for low-income adults with significant disabilities. States receiving awards are: California, Delaware, Georgia, Illinois, Louisiana, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Montana, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, and Washington.