Summary of Services, Programs, and Initiatives Provided to Virginians with Disabilities

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

1. Name of Service/Program/Initiative: Weatherization Assistance Program (WAP)
2. Service Description and Eligibility Requirements, If Any: DHCD uses federal Department of Energy funds to help low-income residents increase the energy efficiency of their homes. The program provides automatic eligibility to recipients of cash payments under Titles IV and XVI of Social Security (SSI) regardless of income. By reducing home heating and energy costs, the housing becomes more affordable.
3. Service Preauthorization Required: No. Please note: Local administrators are obligated to verify the income level of the beneficiary household as part of their administrative responsibilities.
4. Target Population/s: In accordance with the program regulations established by the federal DOE, the WAP serves low-income families in owner or renter occupied units. Income limits are adjusted to accommodate households of various sizes. These income limits are based on the current poverty level and not area median incomes.
5. Method of Administration: State -- DHCD administers federal DOE funds as well as, when available, funds from sources such as Oil Overcharge payments. Local -- 22 local weatherization service providers complete a prescribed set of weatherization measures contained in the Virginia WAP Installation Standards to ensure that each house is fully weatherized. These include, but are not limited to:
   • Sealing air leaks with insulation, caulking, and weather-stripping.
   • Installation of ventilation fans.
   • Repairing drafty duct systems.
   • Repairing and replacing inefficient or unsafe heating and cooling systems.
   • Installation of energy efficient lighting.
   The Weatherization Assistance Program also checks for health and safety risks, including testing for carbon monoxide (CO) levels and installing fire alarms where necessary. Recipients are also educated about proper use and maintenance of all .
6. General Availability of the Service Across the Commonwealth (e.g., statewide, only available in certain localities): Statewide
7. Number of Persons Served Annually (Provide and indicate most recent year available): In the most recent year for which final complete numbers are available (FY 2001), weatherization activities at DHCD addressed 358 renter units and 1,549 homeowner units, all of whose associated households had incomes at or below 50% of the applicable area median income. These units included 930 persons with some form of disability.
8. Annual Service Cost/Allocation (Provide and indicate the most recent year available): $4,066,000 in DOE funds is available with this program for state FY 2003.
9. Other Information or Comments About the Service:
   
   FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
   Floris Weston
   (804) 371-7112
   FWESTON@dhcd.state.va.us

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

1. Name of Service/Program/Initiative: Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP)
2. Service Description and Eligibility Requirements, If Any: DHCD uses funds from the Virginia Department of Social Services Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program to weatherize homes of families who live within the program's specific poverty guidelines. The program funding originates with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Like the Weatherization Assistance Program, LIHEAP increases the energy efficiency of homes. The program does not have a component specifically addressing the needs of persons with disabilities; however, the program provides automatic eligibility to recipients of cash payments under Titles IV and XVI of Social Security (SSI) regardless of income. By reducing home heating and energy costs, the housing becomes more affordable.
3. Service Preauthorization Required: No. Please note: Local administrators are obligated to verify the income level of the beneficiary household as part of their administrative responsibilities.
4. Target Population/s: In accordance with the program regulations established by the federal Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), LIHEAP serves low-income families in owner or renter occupied units. Unlike the case for HUD-funded housing programs, these income limits are based on the current poverty level and not area median incomes. Income limits are adjusted to accommodate household size.
5. Method of Administration: State -- DHCD administers fifteen percent of the LIHEAP Block Grant funds that the Virginia Department of Social Services receives from the federal HHS. This portion is established by Virginia statute (§ 36-139). Local -- 22 local weatherization service providers complete a prescribed set of weatherization measures contained in the Virginia WAP Installation Standards to ensure that each home is fully weatherized. These include, but are not limited to:
   • Sealing air leaks with insulation, caulking, and weather-stripping.
   • Installation of ventilation fans.
   • Repairing drafty duct systems.
   • Repairing and replacing inefficient or unsafe heating and cooling systems.
   • Installation of energy efficient lighting.
   The Weatherization Assistance Program also checks for health and safety risks, including testing for carbon monoxide (CO) levels and installing fire alarms where necessary. Recipients are also educated about proper use and maintenance of all installed systems.
6. General Availability of the Service Across the Commonwealth (e.g., statewide, only available in certain localities): Statewide
7. Number of Persons Served Annually (Provide and indicate most recent year available): During the most recent reporting period for which complete records are available (11/00-10/01), 2,376 units received LIHEAP weatherization assistance; 902 of these units received LIHEAP assistance only; the remainder also received assistance from other sources.
8. Annual Service Cost/Allocation (Provide and indicate the most recent year available): Approximately $4 million in LIHEAP funds are expected to be available to DHCD for state FY 2003.
9. Other Information or Comments About the Service:
   
   FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
   Floris Weston
   (804) 371-7112
   FWESTON@dhcd.state.va.us

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

1. Name of Service/Program/Initiative: Emergency Home Repair (EHR)
2. Service Description and Eligibility Requirements, If Any: The EHR Program was established to improve housing conditions and opportunities for low and very low-income Virginians. The program provides funds to remove imminent health and safety hazards, and / or barriers to habitability in their homes. These are typically smaller scale, but critical needs. Examples of the uses include the installation of wheelchair ramps or other modifications to enhance accessibility, roof repairs, and remedial repairs to septic tank systems, etc.
3. Service Preauthorization Required: No. Please note: Local administrators are obligated to verify the income level of the beneficiary household as part of their administrative responsibilities.
4. Target Population/s: Low and very-low income renter and owner households are the primary targets for the program. Although this program does not have a specific component for persons with disabilities, many of the activities undertaken with program funds address problems, such as unit accessibility, that are relevant to the needs of this population. The EHR spun off the Accessibility Rehab program that uses tax check-off funds to complete accessibility repairs. The tax check-off funds may be combined with EHR funds.
5. Method of Administration: State - DHCD administers the overall program using state general funds. Local - Local entities that can receive EHR funds and apply them to eligible activities, include non-profits, community based organizations, and local government agencies.
6. General Availability of the Service Across the Commonwealth (e.g., statewide, only available in certain localities): Statewide except for Arlington, Chesterfield, Fairfax, Henrico and Prince William Counties and the cities of Alexandria, Bristol, Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Colonial Heights, Danville, Fairfax, Falls Church, Fredericksburg, Hampton, Hopewell, Lynchburg, Manassas, Manassas Park, Newport News, Norfolk, Petersburg, Portsmouth, Richmond, Roanoke, Suffolk, and Virginia Beach.
7. Number of Persons Served Annually (Provide and indicate most recent year available): In the most recent year for which final complete numbers are available (FY 2001), EHR activities at DHCD addressed 27 renter units and 1,057 homeowner units, all the renter units and one-quarter of the owner-occupied units were associated with households whose incomes were at or below 50% of the applicable area median income.
8. Annual Service Cost/Allocation (Provide and indicate the most recent year available): $352,750 in SGF is anticipated to be available for use in connection with this program for state FY 2003. Note that contributions received through the medium of the Income Tax Housing Check Off program may be used for similar activities.
9. Other Information or Comments About the Service: There are no administrative funds available through EHR.
   
   FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
   Floris Weston
   (804) 371-7112
   FWESTON@dhcd.state.va.us

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

1. Name of Service/Program/Initiative: Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA)
2. Service Description and Eligibility Requirements, If Any: HOPWA provides grants for the acquisition, rehabilitation, new construction, leasing, operation of housing facilities, rental and mortgage assistance, utility payments, housing information, and supportive services for low-income persons with HIV or AIDS and their families.
3. Service Preauthorization Required: No
4. Target Population/s: Low-income persons with HIV or AIDS and their families
5. Method of Administration: State - DHCD is the designated state agency administering federal HOPWA funds for the balance of the state. The Cites of Richmond and Virginia Beach also administer HOPWA funds for their regions of the state. Local - Fourteen regionally based service providers act as subrecipients for the state program.
6. General Availability of the Service Across the Commonwealth (e.g., statewide, only available in certain localities): The state program is available in most regions of the state (see the shaded areas on the accompanying map). Note that the Richmond, Metro DC, and Virginia Beach programs cover the shaded areas adjacent to the respective localities.
7. Number of Persons Served Annually (Provide and indicate most recent year available): In the most recent year for which final complete numbers are available (FY 2001), the state HOPWA program served 232 documented persons.
8. Annual Service Cost/Allocation (Provide and indicate the most recent year available): $614,000 in HOPWA funds is anticipated to be available for this program during state FY 2003.
9. Other Information or Comments About the Service:
   
   FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
   Robbie Campbell
   (804) 371-7113
   RDCAMPBELL@dhcd.state.va.us

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

1. Name of Service/Program/Initiative: Supportive Housing
2. Service Description and Eligibility Requirements, If Any: This is a competitive federal program providing grants for transitional housing for homeless persons, permanent housing for mentally or physically disabled homeless persons, innovative housing projects, and supportive services. Eligible activities include:
   • Transitional housing for homeless individuals and/or families
   • Permanent housing for persons with disabilities
   • Mental disabilities
   • Physical disabilities, including AIDS
   • Safe Havens
   • Supportive housing for hard to reach homeless persons who have severe mental illness, are on the streets, and have been unable or unwilling to participate in supportive services
   • Provides 24-hour residence for unspecified duration
   • Provides private or semiprivate accommodations
   • Overnight occupancy limited to 25 persons (may provide supportive services to eligible persons who are not residents on a drop-in basis)
   • Other proposed uses for low-income populations may be approved by HUD
3. Service Preauthorization Required: No
4. Target Population/s: Homeless individuals & families, including persons with disabilities.
5. Method of Administration: State -- DHCD administers the HOME Match portion of available funds. Local - Locally-based governmental entity or non-profit organization.
6. General Availability of the Service Across the Commonwealth (e.g., statewide, only available in certain localities): The program is available statewide but participation is dependent on the outcome of HUD annual SuperNOFA competition. HUD expects 30% of grant funds to be expended for permanent supportive housing.
7. Number of Persons Served Annually (Provide and indicate most recent year available): In FY 2000, the permanent housing for the handicapped homeless portion of the program had 130 beds available. However, responsibility and funding for much of this program has been transferred to local entities.
8. Annual Service Cost/Allocation (Provide and indicate the most recent year available): For FY 2003 DHCD intends to allocate $800,000 in HOME match to the program. An additional $300,000 in other federal funding is anticipated to be available.
9. Other Information or Comments About the Service:
   
   FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
   Robbie Campbell
   (804) 371-7113
   RDCAMPBELL@dhcd.state.va.us

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

1. Name of Service/Program/Initiative: Indoor Plumbing Rehabilitation Program (IPR)
2. Service Description and Eligibility Requirements, If Any: IPR provides low interest, deferred, and forgivable loans in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) non-entitlement cities and counties* for the installation of indoor plumbing to owners of substandard housing where indoor plumbing does not exist, or where the existing water delivery or waste disposal systems have failed. The homeowner's ability to make payments determines the schedule for or even whether loan repayments are required. The program also provides for the general rehabilitation of these units and for accessibility improvements to units occupied by persons with disabilities or where overcrowded conditions exist.
3. Service Preauthorization Required: No
4. Target Population/s: The target population includes low-income homeowners of substandard dwellings. Units that require additional general rehabilitation or, in the specific instance of persons with disabilities who are need of additional accessibility improvements are eligible for additional assistance beyond that required simply to install indoor plumbing fixtures, water supply, and wastewater handling.
5. Method of Administration: State --: DHCD combines state general fund appropriations and a portion of annual federal HOME program monies to form the pool of funds from which contracting subrecipients provide the services to local households.
   Local -- DHCD contracts with a variety of potential subrecipients (local governments, non-profit housing providers, and housing authorities) to administer the IPR program. The subrecipients are responsible for most program operations including outreach and application intake, beneficiary and property eligibility determination, and construction management.
6. General Availability of the Service Across the Commonwealth (e.g., statewide, only available in certain localities): IPR assistance is available only in Community Development Block Grant (CDBG) non-entitlement cities and counties. Areas ineligible to participate because they receive federal CDBG grants as an entitlement include the Cities of Alexandria, Bristol, Charlottesville, Chesapeake, Colonial Heights, Danville, Fredericksburg, Hampton, Hopewell, Lynchburg, Newport News, Norfolk, Petersburg, Richmond, Roanoke, Suffolk and Virginia Beach and the Counties of Arlington, Chesterfield, Fairfax, Henrico, and Prince William.
7. Number of Persons Served Annually (Provide and indicate most recent year available): In the most recent year for which final complete numbers are available (FY 2001), the program addressed 280 homeowner units, over half of whose associated households had incomes at or below 30% of the applicable area median income.
8. Annual Service Cost/Allocation (Provide and indicate the most recent year available): $3,020,000 in general funds and $5,000,000 in federal HOME program funds are anticipated to be used in connection with this program for state FY 2003.
9. Other Information or Comments About the Service:
   
   FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
   Amanda Healy
   371-7061
   pmoipr@dhcd.state.va.us

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

1. Name of Service/Program/Initiative: Affordable Housing Production/Preservation Program (AHPP)
2. Service Description and Eligibility Requirements, If Any: AHPP provides below-market-rate loans and deferred loans for acquisition/rehabilitation, rehabilitation only, and new construction of rental projects containing four or more units and congregate housing projects. The state's set-aside of HOME funds for Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) are included in this program for CHDO-eligible activities. The program fills financing gaps for those projects providing affordable rental units to low and very-low income tenants. The program combines funds from the state's HOME allocation with a portion of the available Virginia Housing Partnership Fund (VHPF), which recycles returns from previous Housing Partnership Fund activities. The program can be coordinated with other funding sources, such as low -income housing tax credits, VHDA mortgage revenue bonds, Virginia Housing Fund resources, and other subsidies.
3. Service Preauthorization Required: No
4. Target Population/s: Low- and very low-income renter households eligible for assistance through the federal HOME program. The benefit to this population is established through the more affordable rent levels enabled by the lower-cost or deferred loans used to rehabilitate or create affordable rental housing.
5. Method of Administration: State - DHCD; Local - Locally-established Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs) serve as partners for the agency in using the HOME portion of the funds available through this program.
6. General Availability of the Service Across the Commonwealth (e.g., statewide, only available in certain localities): The HOME Fund component of this program is limited to CHDOs undertaking eligible activities. Eligible projects are those owned or developed by qualified CHDOs that have received and retained certification by DHCD. DHCD intends to certify only those CHDOs serving participating jurisdictions (PJs) lying within state program areas (primarily non-metropolitan communities). Entitlement PJs will have to certify their own CHDOs and be accountable to ensure they do not exceed funding limits for operating/technical assistance support. In the case of regional consortia comprising communities lying both within the state program area of the state and other participating jurisdiction areas, DHCD would certify only for the jurisdictions lying within the state area.
   
   For predevelopment lending:
   • State-certified CHDOs conducting projects in areas that are included with a state participating jurisdiction receive full access to funding when meeting eligibility requirements.
   • Certified CHDOs conducting projects in areas that are located in a HOME entitlement participating jurisdiction area but not in a CDBG entitlement area could receive matching funds provided they can produce a letter of commitment by their participating jurisdiction, and a statement from the PJ indicating they are a currently certified CHDO in their PJ.
   • CHDOs conducting projects in areas that are both HOME and CDBG entitlements are not eligible.
   For CHDO development assistance:
   • State-certified CHDOs that have state HOME funds for projects in areas that are included in the state participating jurisdiction receive full access to funding.
   • Certified CHDOs that have state HOME funds for projects in areas that are located in a HOME entitlement participating jurisdiction area but not in a CDBG entitlement area could receive matching funds provided they can produce a letter of commitment by their PJ, and a statement from the PJ indicating they are a currently certified CHDO in their PJ.
   • CHDOs that have state HOME funds for projects in areas that are both HOME and CDBG entitlements are not eligible.
7. Number of Persons Served Annually (Provide and indicate most recent year available): 130 households were served in the most recent year for which complete figures were available. The program is generally projected to assist in the preservation or creation of 200 units annually.
8. Annual Service Cost/Allocation (Provide and indicate the most recent year available): $3,170,050 in HOME funds and $3,500,000 in VHPF funds are anticipated to be available for this program for state FY 2003.
9. Other Information or Comments About the Service:
   
   FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
   Willie Fobbs
   (804) 371-7133
   WFOBBS@dhcd.state.va.us

DEPARTMENT OF HOUSING AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT

1. Name of Service/Program/Initiative: Single Family Regional Loan Fund (SFRLF)
2. Service Description and Eligibility Requirements, If Any: The SFRLF provides below-market-rate mortgages along with down payment and closing cost assistance for lower-income, first-time homebuyers. The program does not have a component specifically for persons with disabilities; however, Eligible households are those with incomes below 80% of the area median income (AMI) adjusted for family size. Emphasis is placed on serving households below 60% AMI. Regional Administrators carry out program activities at the local level. Regional administrators may use HOME funds for down payment and closing cost assistance. Homebuyers must use the home as a primary residence for at least five years when $15,000 in HOME funds are used and for ten years when $15,000 to $20,000 in HOME funds are invested. The SFRLF program can operate in conjunction with other programs, including VHDA home mortgage programs.
3. Service Preauthorization Required: No
4. Target Population/s: Lower-income, first-time homebuyers.
5. Method of Administration: State - DHCD consolidates a portion of the state's federal HOME Program allocation and funds recycled from the Virginia Housing Partnership Fund (VHPF) to provide the basis for this program. Local - Designated regional administrators and partner organizations function as subrecipients for the HOME portion of funds. As such, they must comply with applicable federal HOME program requirements.
6. General Availability of the Service Across the Commonwealth (e.g., statewide, only available in certain localities):
7. Number of Persons Served Annually (Provide and indicate most recent year available): During the most recent reporting period for which complete records are available, the SFRLF program closed on mortgages for 332 first-time homebuyer units.
8. Annual Service Cost/Allocation (Provide and indicate the most recent year available): $3,170,050 in HOME funds and $2,000,000 in VHPF funds are anticipated to be available for this program for state FY 2003.
9. Other Information or Comments About the Service:
   
   FOR ADDITIONAL INFORMATION CONTACT:
   Willie Fobbs
   (804) 371-7133
   WFOBBS@dhcd.state.va.us

   

Tim Kaine	Marilyn B. Tavenner	Patrick O. Gottschalk	Pierce R. Homer	Dr. Thomas R. Morris
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