Overview |
The BHA has implemented the recently approved Designated Housing Plan (DHP) for federally funded elderly/disabled developments.
The DHP is a five-year plan that provides an outline for the allocation of housing units in the federal elderly/disabled housing program portfolio. The goal is to move these developments toward a resident population of 70 percent elderly and 30 percent non-elderly disabled.
The plan was unveiled in three stages:
- Phase 1: A mass mailing to all active applicants and approved transfer applicants who have at least one elderly/disabled development choice. This mailing was sent out on September 24, 2007.
- Phase 2: We mailed the final notice confirming the housing choice(s) and new estimated waiting times on or about November 23, 2007.
- Phase 3: The actual implementation date of this new Plan was on Monday, November 26, 2007.
If you have any questions about the DHP, please call the Housing Service Center at (617) 988-4200.
|
Designated Housing Plan Links |
|
|
Q&A about the Designated Housing Plan |
Q. What is the DHP?
A. The Designated Housing Plan provides the basis for the allocation of housing units in the Federal Elderly/Disabled Housing Program portfolio. The units are allocated to applicants in a manner that allows movement toward a resident population that is 70% elderly (62 years old or older) and 30% non-elderly disabled (disabled and less than 62 years old) in each development. Developments are termed “designated” if the elderly resident population is less than 70%. In “designated” developments elderly applicants receive extra points to improve their waiting list position. This will result, over time, in an increased elderly resident population until we reach the 70% goal.
The Plan was developed in accordance with Section 10a of the “Housing Opportunity Program Extension Act of 1996” and with HUD Notice PIH 97-12 issued March 12, 1997 and HUD Notice PIH 2005-2 issued January 5, 2005. Many discussions were held with residents and advocates prior to submitting a draft plan. The Boston Housing Authority Designated Housing Plan was approved on June 18, 2007.
Q. How does a development become “designated”?
A. Federal developments in the Elderly/Disabled Program with fewer than 70% elderly residents are identified on a regular basis, by the Boston Housing Authority's MIS Department. These developments become designated. New applicants and existing Elderly/Disabled Program waiting list applicants (including transfers) are notified of any adjustments made to the designated status of developments annually. Applicants for Elderly/Disabled developments can adjust their waiting list choices at any time. The developments become designated when the site is occupied by less than the 70% elderly (62 years of age or older) ratio. This ratio changes as residents move-in and/or vacate each site.
Q. Is the DHP used to allocate units in all developments?
A. No. It is not used in developments in the Family Housing Program. The 70% elderly to 30% non-elderly allocation is used only in the Federal Elderly/Disabled Program developments. In Federal Elderly/Disabled developments where the elderly resident population is less than 70%, the development is designated. In such a designated development, elderly applicants are awarded points to improve their waiting list positions. In developments where the elderly resident population is 70% or more, no extra Designated Housing Plan points are awarded. In state-aided Elderly/Disabled developments non-elderly disabled residents are limited to 13.5% of the total development population.
Q. What is the procedure for the allocation of vacant units to applicants under the designated housing plan?
A. The Boston Housing Authority Elderly/Disabled Program maintains a HUD-approved site based waiting list system. Every Elderly/Disabled development has separate waiting lists for studio/1 bedroom units and for 2 bedroom units. These lists are ranked by Priority and/or Preference points and date of application. Applicants receive points if qualified for Priority (such as lacking housing due to fire, domestic violence, eviction, etc.) and/or Preferences (such as being a Veteran, a resident of Boston, etc.). In addition, elderly applicants (age 62 or older) on a waiting list for a designated development receive extra points as a result of the Designated Housing Plan. This has the effect of moving them above non-elderly disabled applicants who share the same date of application.
Unit vacancies are allocated, as they occur, to the screened and approved applicant who holds the oldest application date and highest ranked position on the appropriate waiting list. In that instance, the appropriate unit type and bedroom size required will be assigned.
The Boston Housing Authority also has units under its Supported Housing Programs. Persons seeking housing under these programs must apply through the program providers. The providers submit the applications to the Occupancy Department so they may be screened for the specific Supported Housing program. These units are mainly for persons with disabilities who require supportive services as well as shelter.
Q. What options are available to non-elderly disabled applicants waiting on a designated development waiting list?
A. Applicants on any Elderly/Disabled Development waiting list can opt to wait for other developments by adjusting their own development choices. For example, non-elderly disabled applicants can choose to be on a list at a development where the Designated Housing Plan does not provide extra designated points to the elderly, i.e. where the elderly resident population is 70% or higher, or can select Family Developments.
When non-elderly disabled applicants who are waiting on a designated list become 62 years old, they will be considered an elderly applicant and will receive additional points, thus improving their waiting list ranking.
Q. How does the transfer process work within the Designated Housing Plan?
In order to reduce the concentrations of non-elderly disabled residents in designated developments, and to accommodate the desire of some of the younger disabled residents to live in a more mixed environment, transfers to the Family Program are available. Non-elderly disabled residents who reside in Elderly/Disabled developments will receive Emergency Transfer status if they choose to move to a unit in the Family Program. In addition, elderly (62 years of age or older) residents who reside in Family developments and want to transfer to Elderly/Disabled developments are considered for Emergency Transfer status to a unit in Elderly/Disabled Program. Residents who are interested in transfering should contact their manager in order to complete a Transfer Request.
Additional Information
For additional information on how the Designated Housing Plan works, or if you are a person with a disability and require a reasonable accommodation with this process, contact the Occupancy Status Line at (617) 988-4200 or TDD 1-800-545-1833 ext. 420.
|
