Community and Choice Housing needs for people with disabilities in Delaware Governor’s Conference on Housing October 11, 2012

Delawareans with Disabilities 36.4 million in U.S. with disabilities (11.9%) Estimated 108,500 Delawareans with disabilities (12.3%) Mental health, physical disabilities, intellectual/developmental, sensory, ADLs (“Self-care”), IADLs (“Independent living”)

Type of Disability Source: 2010 American Community Survey

Aging Population Source: 2011 Delaware Population Consortium Population Projection Series Delawareans over : 130, : 283,887

Poverty Source: American Community Survey 39.4% 24.9%

Housing Challenges for all Delawareans Approximately 25,000 households on waiting lists for public housing, Housing Choice Vouchers, and privately-owned subsidized housing. 12,845 severely cost-burdened extremely low income (<30% AMI) renter households in DE. Estimated 54% of renters in Delaware cannot afford the 2 BR fair market rent.

Accessibility – Rental Housing Data challenges Mismatches ▫Units are there, but:  Challenge is matching people to them  People who rely on SSI/SSDI or are otherwise extremely low-income can not afford even income- restricted units.  Long waits for tenant-based subsidies and subsidized sites.  Possible size and location mismatch

Increasing Accessibility Needs Needs assistance with ADLs As a resident of the home: 60% As a visitor to the home: 91% As a resident of the home: 25% As a visitor to the home: 53% Has any physical limitation Probability that a newly built single family home, over the course of its useful life, will be used by someone who: Source: “Aging and Disability: Implications for the Housing Industry and Housing Policy in the United States,” Journal of the American Planning Association, 2008

Rents Out of Reach

Delaware Local Data PopulationNeed Substance Abuse/ Mental Health in institutional settings, homeless, or unknown housing situation Elderly or Adults with Physical Disabilities 300 – diversions & transitions from LTC facilities 100 – transitions from DHSS LTC facilities 250 – Other DSAAPD referrals Intellectual/Developmental Disabilities 150 – at risk due to aging caregivers HIV/AIDS 250 on TBRA waiting list Total 1,932

Worst Case Housing Needs U.S. (2009):Delaware (2010, estimate): 7.10 million households with worst case needs. 987,000 households with at least one nonelderly member with a disability with worst case housing needs. 619,000 households with an elderly member with a disability with worst case needs. 18,235 households with worst case needs. 4,500households with at least one nonelderly member with a disability with worst case housing needs. 1,600 households with an elderly member with a disability with worst case needs. Source: HUD 2009 Worst Case Needs Report to Congress

Imbalance in Community Care Source: Thomson Reuters, Medicaid Expenditures for Long-term Services and Supports: 2011 Update

Systems: Focus Group Feedback Six focus groups with consumers, providers, advocates and others in 2011 Major themes ▫Choices and options ▫Getting the right help the first time ▫Scarcity of resources ▫Successes

Recommendations AccessibilityAffordabilityCommunitySystems

Accessibility Increase the availability of and access to rental and homeownership opportunities with accessibility features.

Accessibility Recommendations Develop real-time online information on affordable, accessible units Reduce fair housing barriers: Education, Source of Income Increase prevalence of basic access features in new homes Expand and coordinate resources for accessibility modifications

Affordability Increase the availability of and access to affordable housing for people with disabilities.

Increase availability of LIHTC units for people with disabilities. Units Afford- able People

Invest in permanent supportive housing. Permanent supportive housing is a vital strategic response to ending homelessness.

Basic Access & Asset Building Explore incentives for basic access and universal design features in affordable homes. Improve asset-building opportunities

Community Build a community-based system of care with a range of housing options for consumers.

Reform systems to prioritize community care. Redirect resources to community-based care Provide for housing needs to ensure living and receiving care in the community is realistic and sustainable. Prevent unnecessary institutionalization and reduce readmissions

Housing options and meaningful choices Private Rental Housing Home- ownership Shared Housing Group homes Supervised Apartments

Implement discharge planning. No person should leave a hospital, nursing home, or residential treatment program without: Permanent or transitional housing. Housing Entitlement or employment income to pay for it. Income Services to sustain it. Services

Community-based care requires a community. Integration into communities isolated by poverty, transportation and lack of opportunity is not success. Improve community planning to improve quality of life for all residents. Walkability, design that encourages interaction with our neighbors and communities; opportunities for work, volunteer and civic engagement, recreation.

Systems Improve the affordable housing and disabilities services systems that serve people with disabilities.

Help systems work better. Work together better.  Continue to develop partnerships.  Improve cooperation among and with Delaware’s public housing authorities (PHAs).  Improve cross-communication between housing and disabilities planning processes. Connect people to the right help the first time.  Improve triage assessment of housing needs.  Create more accessible, centralized, user- friendly sources of information.

Ken Smith, Executive Director Delaware Housing Coalition (302) Marlena Gibson, Planner Delaware State Housing Authority (302)