Affordability

Asset Building

Accumulating assets for the disabled Includes ideas on building assets, including the establishment of Individual Development Accounts (IDA) accounts.
Word document from the World Institute on Disability entitled " INTEGRATING UNIVERSAL DESIGN PRICIPLES IN ASSET BUILDING PROGRAMS" -February 2004
Michigan Individual Development Accounts (IDA) Partnership - IDA's are approved accounts, many with matching funds, to allow saving amounts in excess of the Social Security Supplemental Security Income (SSI) limitations for the purchase of a home, for repairs, etc.
Who to call: Contact information to locate someone to help establish an IDA account for a resident in Michigan: Susan Lindson, State Program Coordinator, Michigan IDA Partnership, 345 E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale MI 48220 or Phone and Fax 248-629-4427 Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Section 8: Housing Choice Vouchers

Section 8 refers to United States Government approved rent subsidies - qualified individuals generally pay 33% of their income toward rent. The program is called the Housing Choice Voucher Program.

There are two types of Section 8 subsidies. They include:

Project-Based

Available to certain low income renters from Public Housing Authorities (PHA). Same as tenant based Section 8s, but is only available at certain apartment complexes. Call 517-373-6021 for a list for your county. For more information from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) visit Project Based Vouchers.

The April 2006 issue of "Opening Doors" includes information about a HUD Final Rule published on October 13, 2005 now makes it much easier for Public Housing Authorities to use the Project-Based Voucher program– including expanding affordable and accessible housing opportunities for people with disabilities.

Tenant-Based

Vouchers that follow the person. Available to qualified individuals to subsidize independent housing. it provides a monthly rent subsidy paid directly to the owner of the rental unit that makes up the difference between the tenant's share of the rent (i.e. 30% of income paid by the tenant to the landlord) and the actual rent charged by the landlord. This subsidy helps make the total cost of an apartment affordable to people with low incomes.

For more information from the United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) visit Tenant based Vouchers.

For more information from the Michigan State Housing and Development Authority (MSHDA) web site visit the Michigan Housing Choice Voucher.

Supportive Housing

Section 811 HUD's Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program: The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) provides funding to nonprofit organizations to develop rental housing with the availability of supportive services for very low-income adults with disabilities, and provides rent subsidies for the projects to help make them affordable.
The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development's (HUD) Supportive Housing Program is designed to develop supportive housing and services that will allow homeless persons to live as independently as possible.

Ownership: Saving for Down Payment/Repairs

Individual Development Account (IDA). There are IDA programs that allow savings to accrue without assets being considered for any public benefit eligibility. It is very important for people with disabilities to get into one of these IDA programs if they need to exceed the imposed asset limits. Only federally funded IDA programs under the Assets for Independence Act (AFIA) or under TANF allow people who receive SSI to participate and disregard the assets in IDA savings without losing benefits.

To help persons with disabilities to provide documentation for the SSI caseworker, the community-based organization (CBO) staff worker should write a letter on the CBO letterhead stating that the client can participate in the IDA program without losing his or her SSI benefits. This letter should specifically cite the “Exclusions Under Other Federal Statutes” clause.

For assistance in establishing an IDA account in Michigan contact: Susan Lindson, State Program Coordinator, Michigan IDA Partnership, 345 E. Nine Mile Road, Ferndale MI 48220 - Phone and Fax 248-629-4427, Email This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

To learn more about IDA Accounts and other tips on affordability, see this newsletter article.

Ownership: Other Affordable Resources

Other ideas and programs can be researched to help bring resources to the table. Some counties retain the option of disposing of tax reverted properties within their boundaries. Some may have set aside “land trusts”, where those properties can be made available affordably to targeted groups, perhaps including persons with disabilities. Colin Bloch, Burlington Community Land Trust Home ownership Director, illustrates the Community Land Trust concept that is sweeping the nation and which is providing opportunities for people with disabilities to achieve the dream of owning their own home. Search WID's web site for other valuable ideas.

Ownership: Affordable Mortgages

Affordable mortgages may include low down-payments, low interest, and subsidies to make the housing affordable. Some sources for affordable mortgages include:

Michigan Home Ownership Coalition, This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , 2100 Wyndham Hill Drive, NE #102, Grand Rapids, MI 49505
Habitat for Humanity
Michigan State Housing Authority (MSHDA)
USDA Rural Development