Introduction

The Section 811 Program is one of the critical initiatives in the U.S. to support individuals with disabilities by providing them with affordable, accessible housing.

The Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program addresses the unique needs of low-income adults with disabilities by combining housing assistance with support services that enable them to live independently while maintaining a stable living environment.

In this comprehensive article, I discuss the program, who it serves, and how it operates.

Key Takeaways

Section 811 Program provides affordable housing and supportive services for low-income individuals with disabilities.
The program aims to help disabled individuals live independently by linking housing with essential support services.
Participants pay 30% of their income towards rent, with the remainder covered by the program.
Eligible individuals must be between 18 and 61 years old and have incomes below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Two primary forms of assistance for nonprofit housing developers are Project Rental Assistance (PRA) and Capital Advances.
The program supports those exiting institutions, at risk of homelessness, or experiencing housing instability.

What is Section 811 Housing?

The Section 811 Program is a federal initiative funded by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It was created to expand the availability of affordable rental housing for individuals with disabilities.

The program explicitly helps very low-income adults (those earning less than 50% of the area median income) who have significant disabilities, such as physical, intellectual, or developmental disabilities, and who often face obstacles in finding suitable housing.

One of Section 811's distinguishing features is its emphasis on integrated housing. This means that individuals with disabilities live in mainstream settings rather than in specialized institutions or segregated housing. This promotes inclusivity and community integration.

These services make Section 811 a lifeline for individuals who might otherwise face homelessness or institutionalization due to a lack of resources and support.

Goals of Section 811 Housing

The primary aim of this program is to:

Promote Independence: By connecting affordable housing with essential support services, individuals with disabilities can live more independently.
Ensure Affordability: Residents generally pay 30% of their income towards rent, with the remaining balance covered by the program.
Provide Support Services: Essential services like job training, healthcare, and counseling are linked directly to housing units to provide holistic support.

Learn more about other affordable housing programs here.

How Does the Section 811 Program Work?

The program operates through two forms of assistance: Project Rental Assistance (PRA) and Capital Advances. Both approaches work towards the common goal of providing long-term affordable housing for individuals with disabilities.

Project Rental Assistance (PRA)

Project Rental Assistance (PRA) is a key component of the Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities Program. This form of assistance is project-based, meaning that rental subsidies are tied to specific housing developments or units rather than individual tenants.

Under the PRA model, state housing agencies or public housing authorities partner with private developers and property owners to designate a certain number of units within existing or newly constructed housing projects for individuals with disabilities.

In states like Maine, the PRA model has been instrumental in expanding access to affordable housing for people with disabilities. For example, through Section 811 funding, Maine expects to add approximately 60 units of housing that will receive PRA. These units are located in various housing developments across the state,

Benefits of Project-Based Rental Assistance

PRA’s project-based approach has several benefits that make it especially effective for supporting individuals with disabilities:

Stability and Long-Term Housing: Because the rental assistance is tied to specific units, residents are assured of long-term affordability as long as they remain eligible and reside in those units. This model also fosters stable communities, as residents can stay in one place for an extended period without worrying about fluctuating rents.
Incentivizes Accessible Housing: By partnering with developers, PRA encourages the development of specifically designed or adapted housing to meet the needs of people with disabilities. This could include wheelchair-accessible units, wider doorways, lower countertops, and accessible bathrooms.
Community Integration: The PRA program supports housing integrated into regular communities. This approach promotes inclusivity and allows residents to live in diverse, mixed-income neighborhoods rather than isolated, disability-specific housing complexes.

Capital Advances

Capital advances are funding provided by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) through the Section 811 Program. They are essentially loans to nonprofit developers or sponsors who wish to create housing for low-income individuals with disabilities.

The most significant aspect of these capital advances is that they are interest-free and do not need to be repaid as long as the housing remains affordable and available to the targeted population—very low-income persons with disabilities—for a minimum of 40 years.

Capital advances throughout the U.S. have enabled the development of supportive housing projects that provide vital services for people with disabilities.

For example, nonprofit organizations have used these funds to build integrated housing, where individuals with disabilities live alongside non-disabled residents, promoting inclusivity and community integration.

In many cases, capital advance projects are located near essential services such as public transportation, healthcare facilities, and community centers.

Additionally, some developments incorporate on-site supportive services, including case management, mental health care, or employment counseling, ensuring that residents have a place to live and the resources they need to thrive.

More about the Capital Advances program.

Why Are Capital Advances So Important?

There are several key reasons why this funding mechanism is so essential:

Fills Gaps in Traditional Financing: Traditional financing methods for real estate development, such as bank loans, often involve high interest rates and are geared toward profit-driven projects. Capital advances bridge this gap by providing interest-free, forgivable loans to develop supportive housing for people with disabilities.
Promotes Accessibility: With capital advances, nonprofit developers can incorporate accessibility features directly into the design and construction of new housing developments or renovations. This might include wider doorways, ramps, accessible bathrooms, and lower countertops.
Encourages Long-Term Housing Solutions: By requiring housing to remain affordable and available to individuals with disabilities for at least 40 years, capital advances promote long-term stability in the housing market for this vulnerable population.
Leverages Community and Nonprofit Expertise: Capital advances empower Nonprofit developers to create housing solutions that are tailored to the specific needs of their residents, whether through design, location, or integrated supportive services.
Reduces the Risk of Institutionalization or Homelessness: Capital advances help prevent individuals from being placed in costly institutions or falling into homelessness by financing developments that provide stable, affordable, and accessible living environments.

Who Qualifies for Section 811 Housing?

Only some qualify for Section 811 housing assistance. Applicants must meet specific criteria to ensure the program is helping those most in need.

Age and Income Requirements

Eligible individuals must be between 18 and 61 years old and have an income below 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI). This helps target assistance to those facing the most financial challenges.

Disability Status

To be eligible, applicants must be disabled as per HUD standards. Many applicants must also be Medicaid beneficiaries, as the supportive services connected to Section 811 often intersect with health and disability benefits provided through Medicaid.

Who Benefits from Section 811 Housing?

The target population of Section 811 includes individuals who face challenges securing stable housing due to their disabilities or income levels.

The program is particularly beneficial for:

People transitioning from institutions: Those exiting nursing homes, hospitals, or other care facilities often need stable, accessible housing.
Individuals at risk of institutionalization: Unstable housing can put individuals at risk of being placed in institutional care, even if they prefer independent living.
Adults with physical disabilities that limit their mobility or require special accommodations, such as wheelchair-accessible housing.
Adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities that may need assistance in daily living activities.
Adults with severe mental illnesses who require supportive housing to live independently in the community.
High Medicaid users: Some people with disabilities, especially those who are homeless or at risk of homelessness, also require significant medical services that Medicaid covers.

Explore housing solutions for individuals exiting institutional care.

The Role of Supportive Services

Supportive services in Section 811 go beyond mere housing assistance. These services ensure residents have a place to live and the tools they need to thrive.

These services may include:

Healthcare coordination: Ensuring residents have access to the healthcare they need.
Job training: Helping individuals gain skills necessary for employment.
Case management: Assistance navigating health services, social programs, or benefits.
Life skills training: Helping residents manage daily tasks, such as cooking, budgeting, or using public transportation.
Mental health services: Access to therapy, counseling, or psychiatric care for residents with mental health conditions.
Personal care assistance: This is for those who need help with physical tasks such as dressing, bathing, or grooming.

Frequently Asked Questions about Section 811 Housing

1. Who is eligible for Section 811 housing?

Individuals between 18 and 61 years old, with a disability as defined by HUD standards and an income below 30% of AMI, are eligible. Medicaid beneficiaries often receive priority.

2. How much rent do participants pay?

Residents typically pay 30% of their income toward rent, subsidizing the rest by the program.

3. What supportive services are provided?

Services can include health care, job training, mental health counseling, and other assistance related to independent living.

4. How does Project Rental Assistance (PRA) work?

PRA provides project-based rental assistance, meaning the rental subsidy is tied to specific housing units, not individuals.

5. What are Capital Advances?

Capital Advances are interest-free loans to nonprofit developers for building or rehabilitating supportive housing. These loans do not need to be repaid as long as the housing serves eligible individuals for at least 40 years.