John Rebchook is a former Rocky Mountain News reporter with more than 30 years of experience in writing and communications... The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced today it is awarding $9.4 million in housing assistance to senior citizens and the disabled in Colorado. The funding will provide interest-free capital advances to non-profit developers so they can produce accessible housing, offer rental assistance, and provide supportive services for the elderly and persons with disabilities.
It is part of the $550 million in grants through HUD’s Section 202 and Section 811 Supporting Housing programs that will fund 169 projects in 46 states.
Longmont gets lion’s share
In Colorado, the Longmont Housing Development Corp. is getting $6.8 million to construct 50 one-bedroom units and for 49 low-income residents. In addition, a three-year rental subsidy of $539,400 was awarded. The housing site is adjacent to an existing 202 housing project and a Community Senior Center. The project will have a bus system, in addition to a public bus stop to help transport the residents to the Senior Center, medical facilities, shopping and restaurants.
In Greeley, $1.93 million was awarded to Accessible Space Inc. to build 14 one-bedroom units and two two-bedroom units for low-income, physically disabled residents. It also received a three-year rent subsidy for $176,100.
“The Obama Administration is committed to making sure our senior citizens and persons with disabilities have opportunities to live in decent, affordable homes,” said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. “Neither of these groups should ever have to worry about being able to find a safe place to live.”
To be eligible for the assistance, a household must be classified as “very low- income,” which means an income less than 50 percent of the area median. Nationally, based on 50 percent of the national median family income with an applicable adjustment for household size, a one-person household would need to have an income equal to or less than $22,400 a year.
Contact John Rebchook at JRCHOOK@gmail.com or 303-945-6865.
