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 **$8M Federal Grant Introduces New Funding for Northeast and Rental Assistance for Adults with Disabilities**

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Nebraska has secured $8 million from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Section 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA) for Persons with Disabilities program, marking the first time the state has tapped into this federal funding stream. Robin Ambroz of the Nebraska Investment Finance Authority (NIFA) announced that the state is among 18 housing agencies sharing $138.5 million in Section 811 PRA grants.

This grant is expected to create 156 new rental assistance opportunities for eligible tenants in Nebraska. The assistance is project-based, meaning the funding is tied to specific dwellings rather than individuals.

Ambroz emphasized that the timing of the funds is particularly beneficial as NIFA and its partners work toward the goals outlined in the Nebraska Strategic Housing Framework. One of these goals is to create 35,000 affordable housing units, with 10,000 specifically targeting low-income and special needs populations, particularly those with household incomes under $22,000.

“We’re over the moon,” Ambroz said of the grant, noting that it will expand housing options for people with various disabilities, including physical, behavioral, and mental health challenges. Eligible adults might currently be living with parents, in group homes, or even homeless and residing in shelters.

The rental assistance is projected to last for about five years, with the possibility of renewal. NIFA will collaborate with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to identify tenants who must also qualify for state programs like Medicaid and have household incomes at or below 30% of the area median income.

“When individuals with disabilities, including those with developmental and mental health needs, have the opportunity to live, work, and enjoy life in their community, it benefits both the individual and the community,” said Tony Green, Director of the DHHS Developmental Disabilities Division. “This grant will help overcome one of the largest barriers to achieving this goal: the high cost of adequate housing for individuals with disabilities.”

HUD officials stated that the grants would enable state housing agencies to develop strategies to identify and refer low-income persons with disabilities to eligible homes while providing them with rental assistance and supportive services.

“Adults with disabilities often face significant barriers in securing a safe and stable place to live,” said Julia Gordon, HUD’s Assistant Secretary for Housing. “These awards create opportunities for more housing that’s available, accessible, and inclusive.”

Other states awarded grants include California, Ohio, Wisconsin, Massachusetts, Connecticut, New Hampshire, Pennsylvania, North Carolina, Indiana, Kansas, Texas, Minnesota, Washington, Michigan, Kentucky, Utah, and Oregon.