A CRISIS WITHIN A CRISIS: Housing for Californians with Developmental Disabilities
The Lanterman Housing Alliance is a statewide organization that serves as a catalyst for the creation of affordable, supportive housing for Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. LHA’s ability to bring together builders, regional centers, funders, policymakers, and other key stakeholders uniquely positions us to meet our objective to increase housing opportunities for people with I/DD. Our number one priority for the year is to request a one- time State General Fund investment of one hundred-fifty million dollars ($150,000,000) to address the crisis of need within the Intellectual and Developmental Disability Community for Affordable Housing. This request was developed in consultation with LHA’s Advocacy Committee which includes members of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) and the Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA).
The $150 million would be deposited in the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Fund established pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 50661. The moneys in the fund shall be used for the Multifamily Housing Program (MHP) authorized by Chapter 6.7 (commencing with Section 50675) of Part 2, to be expended to assist in the new construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of permanent and transitional rental housing for persons receiving regional center services and/or In-home Supportive Services.
The need for this request is clear. As California confronts an historic housing crisis, few are more vulnerable than the 625,000 adults with disabilities, particularly those who utilize supports and services through DDS and/or IHSS. The vast majority of the I/DD population also has co-occurring conditions, which means not only a highly vulnerable population, but a vulnerable population at heightened risk with health barriers, income barriers, and accessibility barriers. Less than 16% of adults with disabilities own or rent their own homes, others are unhoused or are at risk of losing their housing. Compounding the barriers, vulnerabilities, and risks, this is a significant population that is vulnerable to displacement and homelessness.
The $150 million would expand the MHP program to support projects that include homes for people with disabilities. By providing additional funds to MHP in one-time funding to be allocated within the program to housing for people with disabilities, the State will have made important progress on meeting the housing needs of adults with disabilities and ensure that as the state builds up its affordable housing stock that is accessible and inclusive to more Californians.
As the numbers of homeless with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities continues to rise, we are seeing first-hand, the impact that lack of affordable and accessible housing is having on that population. The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities community has been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a study published in Disability and Health Journal, COVID-19 diagnosis rates are higher in congregate living settings such as group homes. Many people with developmental disabilities are forced to live in group homes due to the lack of affordable housing.
This funding request is an opportunity to begin to rectify the problem. Given the current budget surplus we are hopeful that this request can be met. We look forward to further discussing our one-time $150 million state General Fund budget request during this years’ state budget process.
Sincerely,
Joshua Butler Executive Director
LHA Board of Directors:
Darin Lounds, President
Kristine McCann, Vice President
Yvonne Delgadillo
Kristin Martin
Rochelle Mills
William Pickel
Dan Schenkel
Lanterman Housing Alliance ♦ www.lantermanhousingalliance.org ♦ info@lantermanhousingalliance.org ♦ 1-(800) LHA-4567
A CRISIS WITHIN A CRISIS: Housing for Californians with Developmental Disabilities
The Lanterman Housing Alliance is a statewide organization that serves as a catalyst for the creation of affordable, supportive housing for Californians with intellectual and developmental disabilities. LHA’s ability to bring together builders, regional centers, funders, policymakers, and other key stakeholders uniquely positions us to meet our objective to increase housing opportunities for people with I/DD. Our number one priority for the year is to request a one- time State General Fund investment of one hundred-fifty million dollars ($150,000,000) to address the crisis of need within the Intellectual and Developmental Disability Community for Affordable Housing. This request was developed in consultation with LHA’s Advocacy Committee which includes members of the State Council on Developmental Disabilities (SCDD) and the Association of Regional Center Agencies (ARCA).
The $150 million would be deposited in the Housing Rehabilitation Loan Fund established pursuant to Health and Safety Code Section 50661. The moneys in the fund shall be used for the Multifamily Housing Program (MHP) authorized by Chapter 6.7 (commencing with Section 50675) of Part 2, to be expended to assist in the new construction, rehabilitation, and preservation of permanent and transitional rental housing for persons receiving regional center services and/or In-home Supportive Services.
The need for this request is clear. As California confronts an historic housing crisis, few are more vulnerable than the 625,000 adults with disabilities, particularly those who utilize supports and services through DDS and/or IHSS. The vast majority of the I/DD population also has co-occurring conditions, which means not only a highly vulnerable population, but a vulnerable population at heightened risk with health barriers, income barriers, and accessibility barriers. Less than 16% of adults with disabilities own or rent their own homes, others are unhoused or are at risk of losing their housing. Compounding the barriers, vulnerabilities, and risks, this is a significant population that is vulnerable to displacement and homelessness.
The $150 million would expand the MHP program to support projects that include homes for people with disabilities. By providing additional funds to MHP in one-time funding to be allocated within the program to housing for people with disabilities, the State will have made important progress on meeting the housing needs of adults with disabilities and ensure that as the state builds up its affordable housing stock that is accessible and inclusive to more Californians.
As the numbers of homeless with Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities continues to rise, we are seeing first-hand, the impact that lack of affordable and accessible housing is having on that population. The Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities community has been disproportionately impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. According to a study published in Disability and Health Journal, COVID-19 diagnosis rates are higher in congregate living settings such as group homes. Many people with developmental disabilities are forced to live in group homes due to the lack of affordable housing.
This funding request is an opportunity to begin to rectify the problem. Given the current budget surplus we are hopeful that this request can be met. We look forward to further discussing our one-time $150 million state General Fund budget request during this years’ state budget process.
Sincerely,
Joshua Butler Executive Director
LHA Board of Directors:
Darin Lounds, President
Kristine McCann, Vice President
Yvonne Delgadillo
Kristin Martin
Rochelle Mills
William Pickel
Dan Schenkel
Lanterman Housing Alliance ♦ www.lantermanhousingalliance.org ♦ info@lantermanhousingalliance.org ♦ 1-(800) LHA-4567