Housing

This report provides a comprehensive overview of the state of housing in the 21st century and answers important questions about current housing needs and options for people with disabilities in the U.S. It provides evidence of what can be effective in meeting the range of housing needs, including promising practices drawn from real examples, and lessons learned from experts working on housing issues and policy. The report was transmitted to the President of the US; that letter is also attached.

TAC is a national non-profit organization that advances proven solutions to the housing and community support needs of vulnerable low-income people with significant long-term disabilities. Their goal is to achieve sustainable public sector systems change through evidenced-based, promising approaches in mental health, substance abuse, human services and affordable and permanent supportive housing. Visit this website to find news, training, publications, and policy and program info.

CMS awarded the fourth round of 3-year grants for RCSC in Sept 2004. Three categories of grants were awarded: Research and Demonstration grants (40), Technical Assistance grants (10), and Feasibility Study and Development grants (2). This report focuses on the outcomes and Enduring Systems Improvements in Housing, Comprehensive Systems Reform, Mental Health Systems Transformation, Quality, Rebalancing, and Family to Family Grantees.

This issue brief examines the early successes and challenges of MFP. A 2008 survey of 29 states receiving MFP grants turned up several key findings, including that several hundred people have moved from institutional to community settings; that states are providing a broad range of services to facilitate transition; that housing issues for MFP participants are a major challenge for states; and that the severe economic downturn had not yet prompted states to scale back their efforts.

In each issue of HCBS.org NewsCLIPS we examine a topic related to home and community-based care by providing an overview of recent papers and publications. This issue of NewsCLIPS highlights Housing. Access to affordable, accessible and integrated housing is a component critical to the efficacy of home and community based services. The NCB Capital Impact team of experts helped gather examples and promising practices on affordable, community based housing options.

This second report in a series focuses on how state variation in level of experience and infrastructure to undertake large-scale transition programs can affect implementation. The authors describe differences in strategies to 1) expand transition coordination capacity 2) locate appropriate housing 3) enhance long-term supports & services 4) change Medicaid HCBS programs/policies to ensure that those who transition can remain in the community after the MFP eligibility period ends.

A new first-of-its-kind e-manual has been published about improving practices and informing policies in assisted living communities through the use of a collaborative method of research – community-based participatory research (CBPR). The manual serves as a “how-to” resource for researchers, practitioners, advocates, policy makers, and community members and explains the principles and methods of community-based participatory research with actual examples from the medication management research.

In two short videos, Lana and Janet, participants in the Missouri MFP program, share their experiences moving out of nursing homes. They also discuss some program details and encourage others to sign up. The videos were produced by the Disability Resource Association to promote MFP.

Villages are a grassroots effort to address the current and unfolding challenges of an older America. Originally started in MA in 2000, the concept arose out of older community members’ desire to reside in their own homes while being able to access services that address their needs related to aging. In Village arrangements, members pay an annual fee and pool their funds to collectively purchase services. The Village-to-Village website offers resources for communities starting programs.

Meant for individuals with disabilities and entities that have obligations under disabilities law, the handbook provides basic information about disability rights and resources for finding out more. The book is in a Q and A format while the website is organized by topic. Employment, services and programs, public accommodations, housing, education, transportation, and technology and communications are all discussed.