Public Housing Authorities, Category 2 Mainstream Vouchers, and Future Vouchers

Public Housing Authorities, Category 2 Mainstream Vouchers, and Future  Vouchers. Information Bullettn #341 (9/2011) Last year, HUD issued two categories of Mainstream Vouchers for non-elderly persons with disabilities.  As many of you know, there were only 1,000 vouchers in Category 2, which was targeted to provide rental assistance to assist persons transitioning out of institutions.  HUD awarded these vouchers randomly and therefore many Public Housing Authorities which applied did not receive any Category 2 vouchers. Many disability advocates worked with their Public Housing Authorities to encourage them to apply and even to assist in writing the application.  HUD is in the process of developing guidelines for the awarding of new vouchers issued pursuant to the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2010.  There will be both tenant-based vouchers and project-based vouchers.  Advocates will yet again have both to urge their PHA to apply and to help them. Listed below by State are all of the 143 PHAs which applied for the Category 2 Mainstream Vouchers.  These PHAs (and you, their advocates) should be encouraged once again to be ready to apply for the new vouchers.  In a separate Information Bulletin we will provide the list of PHAs which applied for Category 1 Mainstream Vouchers, which were targeted to any non-elderly person with a disability without regard to institutionalization. If either no PHA in your State applied OR if your specific PHA did not apply for a category 2 voucher, you should begin NOW to contact them. If sugar and honey do not work, and obviously those are the sweetest way to proceed, look at the previous Information Bulletin #340 (HUD Points Out Olmstead Enforcement Options) for the hammer approach!  Yes, if necessary, the gloves will come off. Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues                                                             Back issues of other Information Bulletins are available online at http://www.stevegoldada.com                                                                                          with a searchable Archive at this site divided into different subjects.  As of August, 2010, Information Bulletins will also be posted on my blog located at http://stevegoldada.blogspot.com/ To contact Steve Gold directly, write to stevegoldada1@gmail.com or call 215-627-7100.    PUBLIC HOUSING AUTHORITIES THAT APPLIED FOR MAINSTREAM HOUSING VOUCHERS CATEGORY 2 IN FY 2009

Alabama                              None applied.

Alaska                                   None applied.

Arizona                                None applied.  

Arkansas                              Benton Public Housing Authority             AR          PHA

California.                           Sonoma County Community Development Commission               CA          PHA

Orange County Housing Authority           CA          PHA

Solano County Housing Authority            CA          PHA

                                                County of Nevada           CA          PHA

Housing Authority of the County of Fresno         CA          PHA

Housing Authority of the County of Santa Clara CA          PHA

Housing Authority of the City of Santa Ana          CA          PHA

                                                Vacaville Housing Authority       CA          PHA

Oakland Housing Authority         CA          PHA

Housing Authority of the County of Santa Barbara           CA          PHA

Housing Authority of the City of San Buenaventura         CA          PHA

                                                Housing Authority of the County of San Diego   CA          PHA

Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles      CA          PHA

                                                Housing Authority of the County of Alameda     CA          PHA

Housing Authority of the County of Marin           CA          PHA

Housing Authority of the County of Santa Cruz  CA          PHA

Housing Authority of the City of Fresno                CA          PHA

Pasadena Community Development Commission            CA          PHA

Colorado                             None    

Connecticut.                      Housing Authority of the City of Bridgeport        CT           PHA

                                              West Hartford Housing Authority               CT           PHA

Connecticut Department of Social Services         CT           PHA

Delaware                             Delaware State Housing Authority           DE           PHA

  D. C.                                     None

Florida.                                Collier County Housing Authority            FL            PHA

                                                Miami Dade Public Housing Agency        FL            PHA

Georgia.                               Georgia Department of Community Affairs         GA          PHA

Housing Authority of the City of Decatur, Georgia            GA          PHA

The Housing Authority of the City of Augusta, Georgia  GA          PHA

Housing Authority of the City of Macon                GA          PHA

Housing Authority of Savannah GA          PHA

Hawaii.                              None                                               

Idaho                                    None                    

Illinois                                  Housing Authority of the Village of Oak Park      IL             PHA

Housing Authority of the County of Cook             IL             PHA

Springfield Housing Authority   IL             PHA

Chicago Housing Authority          IL             PHA

Indiana                                  Indianapolis Housing Agency    IN           PHA

Logansport Housing Authority   IN           PHA

                                                Indiana Housing and Community Development Authority  IN     PHA

Iowa.                                     Region XII Regional Housing Authority  IA            PHA

Kansas                                  None     

Kentucky                             Kentucky Housing Corporation  KY           PHA

Louisiana.                           Housing Authority of East Baton Rouge Parish   LA           PHA

                                                Jefferson Parish Housing Authority         LA           PHA

Maine.                              None

Maryland                             Housing Authority of Prince George's County     MD         PHA

                                                Baltimore County Department of Social Services Housing Office              PHA

Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development             PHA

               Housing Authority of Baltimore City        MD         PHA

Howard County Housing Commission     MD         PHA

Housing Opportunities Commission of Montgomery County, MD             PHA

Ripley County Public Housing Agency    MO         PHA

Housing Authority of the City of Frederick           MD         PHA

Massachus                           Barnstable Housing Authority   MA         PHA

                                                Commonwealth of Massachusetts           MA         PHA

Lynn Housing Authority & Neighborhood Development               MA         PHA

Franklin County Regional Housing and Redevelopment Authority           PHA

Michigan                             Michigan State Housing Development Authority              MI           PHA

                                                Flint Housing Commission           MI           PHA

Grand Rapids Housing Commission         MI           PHA

Mount Pleasant Housing Commission    MI           PHA

                                                Livonia Housing Commission     MI           PHA

Traverse City Housing Commission         MI           PHA

Minnesota                          None

Mississippi                          None 

Missouri                              St. Francois County Public Housing Agency          MO         PHA

 North East Community Action Corporation         MO         PHA

St. Charles County Government                MO         PHA

Housing Authority of Kansas City Missouri           MO         PHA

Montana.                            Commerce, Montana Department of      MT          PHA            

Nebraska                              None        

Nevada.                               Southern Nevada Regional Housing Authority   NV          PHA

New Hampshire.              None

New Jersey.                       Housing Authority of Bergen County      NJ           PHA

Housing Authority of Bergen County      NJ           PHA

Monmouth County Public Housing Agency          NJ           PHA

New Jersey Department of Community Affairs  NJ           PHA

New Mexico                        None

New York                             Binghamton Housing Authority NY          PHA

Belmont Shelter Corp. as agent for Erie County PHA Consortium              NY          PHA

Amsterdam Housing Authority  NY          PHA

NYS Housing Trust Fund/DHCR NY904     NY          PHA

North Carolina.                 Greensboro Housing Authority NC          PHA

The Housing Authority of The City of Durham    NC          PHA

                                                Housing Authority of the City of Wilmington, N. C.          NC          PHA

North Dakota.                   Fargo Housing and Redevelopment Authority   ND          PHA

Ohio                                      Cuyahoga Metropolitan Housing Authority         OH          PHA

                                                Lucas Metropolitan Housing Authority  OH          PHA

Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority OH          PHA

Dayton Metropolitan Housing Authority               OH          PHA

Licking Metropolitan Housing Authority               OH          PHA

Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority         OH          PHA

Columbus Metropolitan Housing Authority         OH          PHA

                Athens Metropolitan Housing Authority               OH          PHA

Lake Metropolitan Housing Authority    OH          PHA

Erie Metropolitan Housing Authority     OH          PHA

Sandusky Metropolitan Housing Authority          OH          PHA

   Warren Metropolitan Housing Authority           OH          PHA

Oklahoma                           Housing Authority of the City of Tulsa   OK          PHA

Oregon                                 Housing Authority of Washington County            OR          PHA      

                                                Linn-Benton Housing Authority                OR          PHA

Housing Authority of Jackson County     OR          PHA

Housing Authority of the City of Salem OR          PHA

                                                Columbia Gorge Housing Authority         OR          PHA

Housing Authority of Portland   OR          PHA

Pennsylvania                     Allegheny County Housing Authority     PA          PHA

                                                Reading Housing Authority         PA          PHA

Montgomery County Housing Authority               PA          PHA

Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh         PA          PHA

Housing Authority of the County of Dauphin      PA          PHA

Bucks County Housing Authority              PA          PHA

Rhode Island                     Housing Authority of the City of Pawtucket         RI            PHA

Rhode Island Housing and Mortgage Finance Corporation            RI            PHA

South Carolina.                 None

South Dakota.                   None

Tennessee                          Memphis Housing Authority      TN          PHA

Texas                                    Tarrant County Housing Assistance Office            TX           PHA

                                                Housing Authority of the City of Denton               TX           PHA

                                                Housing Authority of the City of Fort Worth        TX           PHA

Housing Authority of the City of Austin TX           PHA

Housing Authority of the City of San Antonio     TX           PHA

Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs   TX           PHA

Utah                                      Housing Authority of Salt Lake City         UT           PHA

                                                Housing Authority of the City of Ogden                UT           PHA

Housing Authority of the County of Salt Lake     UT           PHA

Housing Authority of Utah County           UT           PHA

Vermont                              None

Virginia                                Virginia Housing Development Authority            VA          PHA

Norfolk Redevelopment and Housing Authority               VA          PHA

PWC, Office of Housing and Community Development VA          PHA

Alexandria Redevelopment and Housing Authority        VA          PHA

Accomack-Northampton Regional Housing Authority     VA          PHA

City of Martinsville         VA          PHA

.             Roanoke Redevelopment & Housing Authority   VA          PHA

Chesapeake Redevelopment & Housing Authority          VA          PHA

Fairfax County Redevelopment and Housing Authority VA          PHA

Charlottesville Redevelopment and Housing Authority                VA          PHA

Hampton Redevelopment and Housing Authority            VA          PHA

City of Virginia Beach    VA          PHA

                                                                                               

Washington.                       Housing Authority of the City of Tacoma             WA         PHA

Housing Authority of Thurston County  WA         PHA

Housing Authority of Snohomish County              WA         PHA

Housing Authority of the City of Yakima               WA         PHA

Housing Authority City of Bellingham    WA         PHA

King County Housing Authority WA         PHA

Housing Authority of the City of Bremerton        WA         PHA

Housing Authority of Skagit County        WA         PHA

Housing Authority of the City of Vancouver        WA         PHA

Housing Authority of the City of Longview           WA         PHA

Housing Authority of the County of Clallam        WA         PHA

Kitsap County Consolidated Housing Authority WA         PHA

Seattle Housing Authority           WA         PHA

Spokane Housing Authority        WA         PHA

Housing Authority City of Kelso                WA         PHA

West Virginia                    None

Wisconsin                         Milwaukee County            WI          PHA

Wyoming                          None

Total Category 2 PHA     143        

HUD Points Out Olmstead Enforcement Options. Information Bulletin # 340 (9/2011)

HUD’s Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity issued guidance on 8/11/2011 to its regional and field offices regarding enforcement of the ADA, Section 504 and particularly the Olmstead decision.  It noted that HUD has “prioritized efforts to support the transition of people with disabilities out of institutions and into community-based settings.”  The guidance “highlights civil rights related compliance and monitoring strategies to ensure that public housing programs operate in a manner that supports this important objective.” 

HUD pointed out that Section 504 imposed “an affirmative obligation on Public Housing Authorities to assess the housing needs of persons with disabilities in their local service area, which includes persons transitioning from institutional to community-based settings.”  Under a PHA’s housing choice voucher program, this affirmative duty includes ensuring that PHA’s “adopt suitable means to assure that the notice [of the availability of vouchers] reaches” persons in institutions. 

HUD has a duty to monitor and conduct compliance reviews, including:

1.         focusing “on the extent to which the PHA is meeting its obligation to afford persons with disaiblities transitioning from institutions an opportunity to participate or benefit from the PHA’s public housing [and] Housing Choice Vouchers.”

            2.         reviewing “the community’s need for accessible units,” including increasing “the required percentage of mobility accessible units beyond the 5% floors.”  To determine this increased need, HUD recommends using the American Community Survey and the Census.

            3.         ensuring that “accessible units” are occupied by persons who “require the features of the accessible unit.” 

            4.         determining if the PHA has an “up-to-date listing of accessible units” for its voucher program.

            5          maintaining a “waiting list” that has information regarding which individuals require accessible vacant units.

The FHEO pointed out that in June 2009 Secretary Donovan urged PHAs to “adopt a local preference in their admission policies for the Housing Choice Voucher program for persons with disabilities who are ready to exit institution.”  

To actually implement this preference, as well as ##1-5 above, will most likely require advocates file with HUD a complaint that the underling federal regulation requirements in ##1-5 above are violated by your PHA.  Such a complaint enables the FHEO regional and field offices to investigate. 

If there is a violation, then HUD can “make efforts to encourage local admission preferences for persons transitioning.  Consider negotiating a term in the Voluntary Compliance Agreement for the establishment of a local admission preference for persons transitioning from institutional to community-based settings, [including} preference for a certain number of vouchers.”

While HUD can initiate monitoring and compliance reviews on its own,  we suggest that advocates contact your HUD FHEO regional and field offices, set up a meeting with the local directors, determine if they will on their own do such monitoring and compliance, and if they will not, then file a complaint.   Just write a letter and explain the basis of the complaint.  No magic.  Just do it!

This HUD guidance, albeit long-overdue, is a clear and strong handle for advocates.  Use it. 

Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues                                                    

Back issues of other Information Bulletins are available online at http://www.stevegoldada.com  

with a searchable Archive at this site divided into different subjects. 

As of August, 2010, Information Bulletins will also be posted on my blog located at http://stevegoldada.blogspot.com/

To contact Steve Gold directly, write to stevegoldada1@gmail.com or call 215-627-7100.      

                                                                       

My Medicaid Matters

My Medicaid Matters –

On Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at noon on the Capital Hill

In Washington, D.C. there will be a national “My Medicaid Matters” rally.

This is a very critical time for all disabled and elderly people who need and depend on Medicaid to survive. As you know, Congress has established a “super Committee” to decide about the deficit and need to control federal spending. So far, the public conversation has almost solely focused on the deficient reduction and controlling the cost of Medicaid

On Tuesday, August 30, 2011, a number of Governors issued a statement directed to the Congressional “super Committee,” telling this Committee to loosen Medicaid restrictions on how states spend the federal money on health care for persons on SSI, other low-income persons, disabled and elderly Americans. The Governors want to receive a lump sum payment from the federal government and then want to be free to design their own state-by-state Medicaid program.

If you thought the past Medicaid struggles -- over waiver “caps,” limitation of hours for Personal Assistance Service, institutional bias, hospital stays, covered services – were tough, just wait until there are no federal minimums! That’s right, no federal minimums that could even enforced in federal courts.

If you thought in the past Medicaid providers of nursing homes, ICF-MRs, Assisted Living had lot’s of power as political players because they contributed to your Governor’s and other elected officials Political Action Committees, just wait and you’ll really see institutional power and biases! These providers are in business for a profit and people with disabilities and the elderly are their cash-cows.

If you thought families with and parents of disabled in the past had to struggle to receive Medicaid services to obtain minimally needed services, just wait. Welcome back the 1950s! Most folks do not remember how bad it was.

If you thought your state Medicaid folks in the past did not respect or implement the Olmstead decision that found unnecessary institutionalization as discrimination under the ADA, just wait and you’ll be kissing goodbye your ADA rights.

The Governors plan to come to Washington in October to push for their Medicaid. They do not care Medicaid provides vital home and community-based services that allow seniors and younger people with disabilities to live independently in the community. They care only about money.

In the general public, few people understand what Medicaid is or the impact that Medicaid’s federal funding has on the lives of people with disabilities, seniors, their families and those people who work to support them.

Disability, aging and civil rights organizations have banded together to organize a national rally on Capitol Hill to show Congress that My Medicaid Matters!

September 21st and will kick off organizing efforts in all 50 states to show that My Medicaid Matters!

Rally National Sponsors include:

o ADAPT

o AFSME

o American Association of People with Disabilities

o American Network of Community Options and Resources

o The Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living

o The Autistic Self Advocacy Network

o The Caring Across Generation Campaign

o The Center for Self-Determination

o Coalition for Community Integration

o The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund

o Easter Seals

o Hand in Hand: The Domestic Employers Association

o Jews for Racial and Economic Justice

o The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

o National Council on Independent Living

o National Disability Rights Network

o National Hispanic Council on Aging

o Not Dead Yet

o Self Advocates Becoming Empowered

o Service Employees International Union

o Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE)

o United Cerebral Palsy

o United Spinal Association

How You Can Help

Join us! Rally organizers are looking for members of Congress who are willing to talk about the importance of Medicaid to low and middle income Americans, older Americans and Americans with disabilities.

Help us show that My Medicaid Matters!

Additional Information

For more information, and the most updated list of sponsoring organizations, go to: http://ly.adapt.org/rally

Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues

Back issues of other Information Bulletins are available online at http://www.stevegoldada.com

with a searchable Archive at this site divided into different subjects.

As of August, 2010, Information Bulletins will also be posted on my blog located at http://stevegoldada.blogspot.com/

To contact Steve Gold directly, write to stevegoldada1@gmail.com or call 215-627-7100.

Increased Medicaid Reimbursement for Nursing Homes.   Information Bulletin #339 (9/2011).

    The American Health Care Association, the national trade organization for the nursing home industry, and the Alliance for Quality Nursing Home Care have been on You Tube with a "Care Not Cuts" campaign.  These two organizations have mounted a sophisticated campaign on behalf of  nursing homes and against cut-backs for their clients - the nursing homes. . Their common thread: Medicaid reductions have hurt nursing homes.

    What they do not state is the average Medicaid per diem expenditure continues to increase significantly.  What they do not tell you is what your State spends to keep people institutionalized.  They also do not tell you that each State could save a bundle of money by moving people into the community.

    In 2009, Medicaid nationally spent more than $50 billion on nursing home care.

    The state-by-state data below is from an AHCA report.  It provides the average Medicaid expenditure  your State spent per person per day for nursing homes in 2010.  (This data  may not even include additional Medicaid expenditures other than what was paid to the nursing homes.)

    A number of States did not provide the information and are not included below.

     We also calculated the percentage increase from 2006 to 2010 for the average Medicaid expenditure per diem per person for each State.

    If you multiple the 2010 per diem amount by 365 days, you'll compute the average annual MA expenditure in your State per person in a nursing home.  Yes, it's a big business and the elderly and disabled are the cash cows that keep the Medicaid funds flowing.

    Where is the home-care industry's campaign?  What are the elderly and disabled advocates doing to counter the misinformation that the nursing home industry is putting out?  Who is mounting a campaign "Care In My Home - Not Nursing Homes"?

    Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues  

Back issues of other Information Bulletins are available online at http://www.stevegoldada.com  with a searchable Archive at this site divided into different subjects.  Information Bulletins are also be posted on my blog located at http://stevegoldada.blogspot.com/
To contact Steve Gold directly, write to stevegoldada1@gmail.com or call 215-627-7100.

                      
                       FY 2010        % increase
          
          
Arizona              $166.99        16.20%
          
California.        $164.65          12.20%
Colorado            $188.76      15.6
Connecticut.         221.38        7.6
Delaware             206.36        -2.9
Florida.               202.66        18.2
Georgia.            139.84          16
Hawaii.                231.67        15.3
Idaho                193.56           20.5
Illinois                117.57          17.5
Indiana                 151.78        12.4
Iowa.                139.23           20.1
Kansas              132.41        11.8          
Maine.                 178.11        7.5
Maryland            212.89        12.4
Massachus          196.09        8
Michigan              205.54        16.5
Minnesota           162.91        12          
Missouri               132.69        17.5
Montana.           167.43        10.2
Nebraska             143.37        4.9
Nevada.             183.01        10
New Hampshire.195.21        9.8
New Jersey.        204.96        7.6          
New York          216.5        9.6
North Dakota.    194.36        23.5
Ohio                    177.45        8.2
Oklahoma            128.89        9.1
Oregon               217.14        17.3
Pennsylvania       205.96        12.6          
South Carolina.     154.12        11.3
South Dakota.      128.76        12.2
Tennessee           144.63        9.4
Texas                  126.29        16.5
Utah                   161.54        11.6
Vermont               182.56        12
Virginia.               143.6        7.7
Washington.         161.03        13.8          
Wisconsin            154.56        15.4
Wyoming            164.03        14.9

My Medicaid Matters

My Medicaid Matters –

On Wednesday, September 21, 2011 at noon on the Capital Hill

In Washington, D.C. there will be a national “My Medicaid Matters” rally.

This is a very critical time for all disabled and elderly people who need and depend on Medicaid to survive. As you know, Congress has established a “super Committee” to decide about the deficit and need to control federal spending. So far, the public conversation has almost solely focused on the deficient reduction and controlling the cost of Medicaid

On Tuesday, August 30, 2011, a number of Governors issued a statement directed to the Congressional “super Committee,” telling this Committee to loosen Medicaid restrictions on how states spend the federal money on health care for persons on SSI, other low-income persons, disabled and elderly Americans. The Governors want to receive a lump sum payment from the federal government and then want to be free to design their own state-by-state Medicaid program.

If you thought the past Medicaid struggles -- over waiver “caps,” limitation of hours for Personal Assistance Service, institutional bias, hospital stays, covered services – were tough, just wait until there are no federal minimums! That’s right, no federal minimums that could even enforced in federal courts.

If you thought in the past Medicaid providers of nursing homes, ICF-MRs, Assisted Living had lot’s of power as political players because they contributed to your Governor’s and other elected officials Political Action Committees, just wait and you’ll really see institutional power and biases! These providers are in business for a profit and people with disabilities and the elderly are their cash-cows.

If you thought families with and parents of disabled in the past had to struggle to receive Medicaid services to obtain minimally needed services, just wait. Welcome back the 1950s! Most folks do not remember how bad it was.

If you thought your state Medicaid folks in the past did not respect or implement the Olmstead decision that found unnecessary institutionalization as discrimination under the ADA, just wait and you’ll be kissing goodbye your ADA rights.

The Governors plan to come to Washington in October to push for their Medicaid. They do not care Medicaid provides vital home and community-based services that allow seniors and younger people with disabilities to live independently in the community. They care only about money.

In the general public, few people understand what Medicaid is or the impact that Medicaid’s federal funding has on the lives of people with disabilities, seniors, their families and those people who work to support them.

Disability, aging and civil rights organizations have banded together to organize a national rally on Capitol Hill to show Congress that My Medicaid Matters!

September 21st and will kick off organizing efforts in all 50 states to show that My Medicaid Matters!

Rally National Sponsors include:

o ADAPT

o AFSME

o American Association of People with Disabilities

o American Network of Community Options and Resources

o The Association of Programs for Rural Independent Living

o The Autistic Self Advocacy Network

o The Caring Across Generation Campaign

o The Center for Self-Determination

o Coalition for Community Integration

o The Disability Rights Education and Defense Fund

o Easter Seals

o Hand in Hand: The Domestic Employers Association

o Jews for Racial and Economic Justice

o The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights

o National Council on Independent Living

o National Disability Rights Network

o National Hispanic Council on Aging

o Not Dead Yet

o Self Advocates Becoming Empowered

o Service Employees International Union

o Services and Advocacy for GLBT Elders (SAGE)

o United Cerebral Palsy

o United Spinal Association

How You Can Help

Join us! Rally organizers are looking for members of Congress who are willing to talk about the importance of Medicaid to low and middle income Americans, older Americans and Americans with disabilities.

Help us show that My Medicaid Matters!

Additional Information

For more information, and the most updated list of sponsoring organizations, go to: http://ly.adapt.org/rally

Steve Gold, The Disability Odyssey continues

Back issues of other Information Bulletins are available online at http://www.stevegoldada.com

with a searchable Archive at this site divided into different subjects.

As of August, 2010, Information Bulletins will also be posted on my blog located at http://stevegoldada.blogspot.com/

To contact Steve Gold directly, write to stevegoldada1@gmail.com or call 215-627-7100.