Supportive Housing is a Human Right
Problem
A scarcity of affordable housing coupled with lower wages makes it impossible for people with disabilities, many of whom experience long-term poverty, to find a home in every city in the United States. There are only 32,000 units of supportive housing in New York City — we have over 60,000 people in our district alone (NY-10) with disabilities, including Ashmi. Limited housing programs directly affect the quality of life for thousands of people living with disabilities in NYC.
Our Plan
We need supportive housing that combines free or low-cost housing with voluntary support services and resources such as health care, counseling, and employment services.
Guarantee all tenants’ right to counsel, and increase funding to the Legal Services Corporation. For those at risk of losing their homes, ensure access to adequate legal and support services with disability competency so they are adequately represented and aware of available resources.
Provide simplified, modernized, and accessible pathways to current housing opportunities through funding for housing choice vouchers, subsidies, and public housing as well as funds for rental assistance for those at risk of losing their homes to keep them stably housed.
Prioritize maintenance for existing public housing, and fix maintenance backlogs.
Increase the number of available affordable housing units with targeted eligibility criteria for those living with disabilities, ensuring a certain number of units that have appropriate accommodations for accessibility.
Partner with community land trusts and transit-oriented development to ensure housing is located close to critical resources including hospitals, workplaces, culturally relevant grocery stores, and transit.
Increase investment in capital advances and project rental assistance, and leverage local and state funding sources for developments that are either shovel ready or close to shovel ready.
Support Section 811 and Section 8.
Evaluate existing programs for allocation efficiency and retainment levels to determine which programs should be changed or maintained, and ensure these systems are operated as independent entities.
Utilize local organizations and support their housing advocacy.
This Matters
People with disabilities have the right to resources and support that will allow them to live independently and access economic opportunities and jobs regardless of disability status. It is possible to create sustainable, affordable housing that is supportive and minimizes the risk of houselessness.