On the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the 25th anniversary of the Supreme Court decision on Olmstead v. L.C., the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced policy actions to support community living for people with disabilities. HUD has published guidance introducing new alternative requirements and waivers to help public housing agencies (PHAs) better utilize Mainstream Vouchers, aiding persons with disabilities in transitioning from institutional settings.
“Affordable and accessible housing is essential to realizing the goals of Olmstead,” said HUD Acting Secretary Adrianne Todman. “The flexibilities we are providing today will further enable local leaders to support the housing needs of people with disabilities.”
Mainstream Vouchers provide housing assistance to non-elderly persons with disabilities who are at least 18 years old but not yet 62, helping them transition out of institutional or isolated settings, avoid institutionalization, or escape homelessness. Under the Biden-Harris Administration, HUD has expanded this program by over 20,000 vouchers and awarded additional administrative fees.
“Mainstream Vouchers are important to make communities more accessible and diverse and to make affordable housing in areas of opportunity a reality for all Americans,” said Rich Monocchio, Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for the Office of Public and Indian Housing. “Though we’ve seen great success with these vouchers to date, the flexibilities we’re announcing today will further improve its efficiency and in turn better serve people with disabilities to find homes in their community that meet their needs and preferences.”
PHAs administering Mainstream Vouchers can coordinate with various agencies assisting people with disabilities for referrals, housing search assistance, and supportive services coordination. The new alternative requirements include extending the minimum initial search term from 60 to 120 days and mandating PHAs approve all initial extension requests for a minimum of 90 days. Additionally, PHAs cannot exercise a residency preference for Mainstream Vouchers as applicants may be outside their jurisdiction.
Discretionary waivers allow PHAs to adopt separate waiting lists for Mainstream Vouchers or prioritize direct referrals from health care and disability agencies supporting community living.
These changes aim to address barriers identified in HUD's recent study “Housing Search Assistance for Non-Elderly People with Disabilities.” The study highlighted challenges such as securing services before voucher expiration, navigating housing searches, overcoming screening requirements, accessing necessary accommodations or modifications beyond landlord obligations, and covering moving expenses.
Since its inception in 1997, HUD’s Mainstream Voucher program has awarded over $500 million in funding to support more than 71,000 new vouchers through public housing agencies.
For more information on the Mainstream Voucher Program, click here.
