In May of 2012, The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Multifamily Housing Programs has published a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) for the Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Demonstration Program (PRA Demo). This program was intended to fund State housing agencies or other appropriate housing agencies to provide long term project-based rental assistance contracts for approximately 3,500 affordable housing units set aside for extremely low-income persons with disabilities. Authorized by the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2010, the 811 PRA Demo will award rental assistance funds to state housing agencies (or other appropriate entities) that have formed partnerships with state Medicaid and health and human services agencies that have developed methods for identifying, referring, and conducting outreach to a target population of extremely low-income persons with disabilities requiring long term services and supports. These operating funds will be used to set aside supportive units for this target population in affordable housing complexes whose capital costs are funded through Low-Income Housing Tax Credits, HOME funds, or other sources.

The awards were announced on February 13, 2013 and thirteen (13) state housing agencies received awards. Unfortunately, Florida was not one of the awardees. It is difficult to determine at this point why Florida was not successful, but it is likely due to the absence of partnerships with other Medicaid and Health and Human Service Departments. We are hopeful that Florida will self-evaluate their failure on this grant application and seek to put into place the necessary framework in order to improve their competitive position for future funding applications.

The Section 811 PRA Demo awards have been granted. The press release and list of awards is posted on the HUD.GOV website. HUD Press Release HUDNo.13-024

In summary, approximately $98 million was awarded to 13 state housing agencies, which will ultimately create 3530 more units of housing for persons with disabilities. This innovative demonstration brings together housing and healthcare services through a unique partnership with HHS (The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services).