VHDA’s Accessibility
Modification Grant Program
NCSHA Annual Conference
Miami, Florida
Panel: Best of the HFAs—Special Needs Housing
September 26, 2016
Renters Need Help with Modifications
• Disabled low-income renters cannot afford to make the
accessibility modifications to which they are entitled under
Fair Housing laws
• Despite substantial development of affordable and accessible
rental units, finding adequate housing is often a challenge
• Vacancy rates for affordable, accessible units are low
• Rural rental units are often single-family units or mobile homes
• Many rental units are only partially accessible
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VHDA’s Program Fills Key Funding Gaps
• The targeted renter population is excluded from many other
sources of unit modification assistance
• Organizations assisting with transition to independent living
often lack timely access to needed flexible funding
• There are significant funding gaps for environmental
modifications in many communities
• VHDA grants also leverage other available assistance to better
meet household needs
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Eligibility for VHDA Assistance
• Program eligibility is limited to
low-income renters
• Renters must have:
1. a disabled household member
needing unit modifications
2. income < 80% of AMI
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What VHDA’s Program Covers
• Grants for up to $2,800 fund
modifications such as:
Widened doorways
Lowered countertops, accessible cabinets
Installation of ramps, railings
Grab bars, tub cuts, shower chairs, ADA toilets
Visual smoke detectors
Remote entry devices
• Grants may also be used to
undo modifications, if required,
when a unit is vacated
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VHDA Partners with Approved Agents
• VHDA uses local agents to manage unit modification work
• Grant applications are accepted on an ongoing basis through
VHDA-approved agents/agencies
• Upon approval, VHDA issues a grant confirmation to the agent
• Agents contract for and monitor modification work, which
must be completed within four months
• Agents are paid $300 to cover expenses
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Varied Partnerships Support Success
• VHDA partners with the array of
entities that assist people with
disabilities to successfully transition
to community living
• Agents include:
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Centers for Independent Living (CILs)
Local housing agencies
Community Action Agencies (CAPs)
Rehabilitation hospitals
Landlords
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Program Outreach and Marketing
• VHDA’s Community Outreach Division educates partners about
the program and provides agent webinar training
• The public is made aware of grant availability through:
• VHDA and partner outreach activities using VHDA-provided information
and promotional materials
• On-line rental housing search sites VirginiaHousingSearch.com and
AccessVA.org
• A dedicated page on VHDA.com
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Program Outcomes
• The program is funded through
VHDA’s “REACH” initiative, which
uses agency net revenues to fund
subsidy support to address high
priority state housing needs
• Through mid-2016, nearly $1.2
million in program grants have
assisted 781 disabled renters in
paying for needed modifications
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Contact Information
Information about the Rental Unit Accessibility Modification
(RUAM) program is available from:
Donna M. Stallings
RUAM Program Administrator
Phone: 804-343-5937
[email protected]
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