Community Development Program

Laura Brackin, Program Director

Housing Initiatives

Nancy Robertson, M. A. - Project Director
nrober@lsuhsc.edu

Sharon Hennessey
Housing Specialist
Fair Housing Outreach Project
Louisiana Community Housing Advocacy Networks
shenne@lsuhsc.edu

Rhonda M. Jackson
Housing Specialist
Louisiana Community Housing Advocacy Networks
rjacks@lsuhsc.edu

Odessa Payne
Housing Specialist
Real Choices Community Housing Advocacy Networks
Section 8 Homeownership
opayne@lsuhsc.edu

The lack of individualized, community-based, affordable and accessible housing has been an on-going crisis facing Louisiana’s citizens with disabilities, their family members, disability service providers, housing officials, and state/local government officials. Although, this has been an on-going crisis, the 1999 Supreme Court Olmstead decision has brought it to the forefront.

The Olmstead decision affirmed that individuals with disabilities have the right to choose to live and receive services and supports in the most integrated settings that are appropriate to their needs. As a result, states are being encouraged to develop “comprehensive, effectively working plans” to ensure that individuals living in restrictive settings such as nursing homes, institutions, and community group homes are offered the opportunity to move to less restrictive settings. In 2000 Louisiana began its planning efforts and immediately recognized that a state-wide lack of affordable and/or accessible housing in many communities presents a challenge to meeting the mandates of the Olmstead decision.

There are three major barriers, that challenge Louisianans with disabilities who wish to rent or own homes of their own. The first barrier is locating housing that is affordable. The United States Department of Housing and Urban Development defines affordable as requiring no more than 30% of monthly income toward housing cost. Many individuals with disabilities are among the poorest of the poor, particularly those individuals currently residing in restrictive settings. These individuals typically have a monthly income of little more than $500 per month. The Fair Market Rent in Louisiana for a one-bedroom unit is $392.00. This means that an individual living in Louisiana and receiving Supplemental Security Income (SSI), in many instances, will be forced to pay over 73.5% of his or her income toward rent. Rental subsidies, such as the federal Section 8 Home Choice Voucher Program, help in lessening the housing cost burden, however many communities have extensive waiting lists for this program and other rental assistance programs.

The second barrier many Louisianans with disabilities face when searching for individual community-based housing is obtaining housing that meets their accessibility needs. Persons with mobility impairments may need housing with ramps, wider doorways, lower cabinets, roll-in showers and other accommodations. Persons with hearing or visual impairments may need safety and environmental features such as blinking lights, or alarms. Federal laws mandate that some new construction of housing units must have certain accessibility features, however many communities do not monitor or enforce these requirements. As a result, housing units continue to be built that must be modified, often at the financial expense of the individual wishing to rent or own the unit. While some communities may provide funding to eligible individuals for home adaptations, these funds are very limited.

Lastly, instances of discrimination against persons with disabilities who wish to rent or buy a home continue to be reported in large numbers. Federal laws now protect people with disabilities from housing discrimination. However, individuals with disabilities, their family members, and service providers have limited knowledge of the legal protections afforded them by these laws and what steps to take when experiencing discrimination.

In an effort to address the housing needs of Louisianans with disabilities, the Human Development Center located at the Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center has received federal and state funding to implement innovative and collaborative initiatives designed to overcome the barriers described above and expand individual community-based housing options for individuals with disabilities. These initiatives are:

1. Louisiana Community Housing Advocacy Network (LA CHAN)
2. Real Choices Project
3. Fair Housing Outreach Project
4. Section 8 Voucher Homeownership Project

Fact Sheets

Upcoming Events

Housing Legislation

Community Housing Advocacy Networks

         Jefferson Parish

          Orleans Parish

          Southwest Louisiana

          Capitol Area

Fair Housing Initiative

Section 8 Homeownership

Publications

Housing Resource Guides

Consolidated Plans

Public Housing Authority Plans

Links
 
 

Page last updated: 05/18/04 10:51 AM

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The statements found on this page are for informational purposes only. While every effort is made to ensure that this information is up-to-date and accurate, for official information please consult a printed University publication.