Did you know thousands of adults in Virginia with a developmental disability are living in their own home in the community with various supports? You can, too.
Virginia has housing resources available to help low income adults with developmental disabilities live in their own homes in the community with supports. Get started on the road to housing today!
The Road to Housing
The road to housing starts with learning about housing options and getting prepared. Check out the educational resources by clicking on the links below for more information.
- Creative Housing Approaches Guidebook – describes how families have created housing arrangements by leveraging available resources
- My Own Home Guidebook – provides information about independent housing options and the resources available to individuals with developmental disabilities
- Success Stories and Videos – scroll to the bottom of this page
Searching for Housing
If you, a family member, or someone that you know or support is interested in living in their own rental housing and searching for housing, Virginia Housing Search is a free resource that may help with locating housing that meets individualized needs and budgets.
Additional Housing and Housing Search Resources:
Housing Choice Voucher Set-Aside
The Housing Choice Voucher program is the federal government’s major program for assisting very low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled to afford decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. Housing assistance is provided on behalf of the family or individual so participants can find their own housing, including single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. Housing is not limited to units located in subsidized housing projects.
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) approved Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) to make vouchers available to the individuals with DD in the Settlement Agreement population by set-aside or preference. Individuals are referred by support coordinators to DBHDS. DBHDS verifies individuals are in the Settlement Agreement population and have permissible household compositions. DBHDS then sends the referrals to local PHAs, where individuals apply for Housing Choice Vouchers.
State Rental Assistance Program
The State Rental Assistance Program (SRAP) serves individuals with developmental disabilities in the Settlement Agreement population who want to live in their own rental housing. The program is designed to provide rental assistance to single person families that meet the program eligibility criteria, so they have the means to lease private market rental housing that meets their needs.
Individuals will have the opportunity to choose where they live, with whom they live, and who supports them. Services and supports will be provided through sources separate from their housing, including Medicaid Waiver-funded home and community based services, natural supports, privately paid supports, and other community resources.
Flexible Funding
DBHDS makes Flexible Funding available to help individuals with developmental disabilities overcome one-time financial barriers to obtaining and maintaining independent housing. Six Community Services Boards administer this program in the five DBHDS regions of the state. Individuals and families should contact their Support Coordinator/Case Manager for an application.
Fair Housing Rights
When people with developmental disabilities apply for or live in housing, they are sometimes treated in ways that make it difficult to access or use housing. This unfair treatment is called discrimination. There are federal and state laws that protect the rights of people with disabilities to “fair housing.” Here are some resources that can help you learn about fair housing rights for people with disabilities.
Virginia Fair Housing Office –provides information about Virginia’s Fair Housing law, investigates housing discrimination complaints and pursues dispute resolution outside the courts when possible.
Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia – provides counseling on fair housing rights, investigates discrimination complaints and assists individuals with determining the best course of action to protect their rights.
HUD’s Title VIII Fair Housing Complaint Process – file a fair housing complaint through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.
Landlord -Tenant Rights
The Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act (VRLTA) handbook provides information on the rights, remedies, and responsibilities of landlords and renters concerning the rental process. Before signing a lease, prospective tenants should read and understand the terms of the contract. Consulting a lawyer or the landlord for clarification of the rental agreement is advisable.
Valegalaid.org offers helpful articles on a variety of topics such as leases, security deposits, late rent, and preventing eviction.
Housing Opportunities Made Equal of Virginia (HOME) – offers classes on the ins and outs of renting, tips for tenants, and other helpful documents for renters.
Success Stories
Videos Highlighting People in the Settlement Agreement Population Living in Their Own Rental Housing
This video series was filmed in the Summer of 2016 to highlight people with developmental disabilities living in integrated community settings. The series was completed by The Arc of Northern Virginia in combination with videographer David Buerk and made possible with grant funding from the Virginia Housing Development Authority and DBHDS.
Brian is a brain injury survivor who lives in his own apartment, along with a live-in aide.
Gail and Esther are women with developmental disabilities who live in an affordable housing apartment complex. They have their own apartments and are close friends.
David and Rory live with a third roommate in a high-rise condo. They moved there from institutional settings and love the freedom they have in their new home.
Rogan lives in a home that his family initially purchased with a low interest Virginia Housing and Development Authority loan. He has a live in caregiver who has two young children who also live in the home.
Theresa is a brain injury survivor who has lived in her own apartment for many years. She uses a housing choice voucher to make the rent affordable and assistive technologies to help her around her house.
Robert just moved to his very first apartment, using a housing choice voucher. He works and is very involved with his family.
Contact Information
HousingReferrals@dbhds.virgnia.gov
(804) 799-2790
