In recognition of the 34th anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the 25th anniversary of the Supreme Court's Olmstead v. L.C. decision, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) has announced new policy actions aimed at enhancing community living options for people with disabilities. These changes provide public housing agencies (PHAs) with new flexibilities to better utilize Mainstream Vouchers, a critical federal program offering rental assistance to non-elderly persons with disabilities.
Key updates include extended housing search times, the removal of residency preferences for voucher recipients, and new options for PHAs to prioritize direct referrals from healthcare and disability agencies. These changes aim to address barriers in the housing search process and strengthen partnerships that support independent living for people with disabilities.
The Mainstream Voucher waivers and alternative requirements announced today help address some of the barriers to housing search among non-elderly people with disabilities identified in a study published by HUD on June 27, 2024. The study, “Housing Search Assistance for Non-Elderly People with Disabilities,” found that people with disabilities face various challenges in searching for housing. They have difficulty securing services and supports before their voucher expires, navigating the housing search process and overcoming screening requirements, accessing reasonable accommodations or necessary modifications that are more than what a landlord is required to provide, and covering moving and initial living expenses.
HUD has expanded the Mainstream Voucher program by over 20,000 vouchers under the Biden-Harris Administration, furthering efforts to make accessible and affordable housing a reality for all.
