Update from TAC’s Resource Center on Supportive Housing
On January 24, 2012, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) held a webinar on HUD Section 811 program reforms with a focus on the new Project Rental Assistance (PRA) option that will provide Section 811 funding directly to State Housing Agencies (HFAs) or other appropriate housing agencies who partner with State Health and Human Service/Medicaid agencies. Representatives from TAC provided an overview of the Section 811 program and the new integrated supportive housing opportunities available through the PRA option.
The webinar presentation was followed by a Q&A session with representatives from HUD and CMS, which provided an opportunity for HUD to answer questions and provide clarification on certain Section 811 PRA program issues.
HUD anticipates a competitive Section 811 PRA NOFA to be released in early spring. HUD officials also indicated the NOFA would provide a cooperative opportunity for HUD and the states to shape the Section 811 PRA approach and learn about promising practices. Under the Section 811 statute, the State HFA (or other appropriate entity as determined by the HUD Secretary) must have a formal agreement with the State Health and Human Service agency as well as (if different) the state agency responsible for administration of the State Medicaid Plan.
HUD estimates there will be approximately $75 million available to create new Section 811 PRA units. TAC estimates that up to 2,500 new Section 811 PRA units could be created with these funds.
What states can do now to prepare for the Section 811 PRA NOFA?
- Ensure the state housing and health and human service/Medicaid agencies are aware of this opportunity and have begun to develop their partnership.
- State housing and health and human service/Medicaid agencies should begin developing the policies that are statutorily required for the partnership agreement:
- The target population to be served;
- Outreach and referral methods for reaching the target population; and
- How supportive services will be made available to tenants.
- States are advised not to finalize any policy or agreement language until they can review the NOFA content when it is released.
Click here to review the slides from the webinar.
Click here for a transcript of the audio.
Click here for an audio recording and materials from the webinar.
For Section 811 Program FAQs and other related information, visit the TAC website or contact Gina Schaak.
