Home of Your Own InfoPack: Homes and Housing

Introduction

People with disabilities often have had limited choice about where and with whom they live, and who provides their support. Typically, a state or local agency has made these decisions, usually owning or leasing the place where an individual lives. Home ownership has been identified as a top priority by the federal Administration on Developmental Disabilities and state Developmental Disabilities Councils throughout the country. Because of limited incomes, lack of affordable accessible housing, and attitudinal and legal barriers, people with disabilities have been relegated to large state facilities, community residences, adult foster care or their families' homes. This publication lists resources for creating person-owned-and-controlled-housing for people with developmental and other disabilities.

National Home of Your Own Alliance
The National Home of Your Own Alliance was created as a national information and technical assistance center; a place to get help and information about home ownership and control for people with disabilities. The Alliance is funded by the US Administration on Developmental Disabilities through a cooperative agreement with the Institute on Disability at the University of New Hampshire.

A "person-owned-and-controlled home" is one that an individual, not other people or agencies, chooses and controls. The owner or occupant selects his or her own apartment, condominium, duplex, co-op share or single-family home. The individual participates in obtaining financing, signs the lease or deed and makes the long term commitment to pay the rent or mortgage payment. In addition, the person chooses whether to live alone or with housemates and decides who will share the house with them. They choose the services they use and hire their own staff. This relatively new idea is a logical extension of supported living, and one which the National Home of Your Own Alliance is promoting.

Currently, there are a number of barriers to homeownership or control for people with disabilities. Downpayment and closing cost requirements and constraints on income sources are barriers for people with disabilities wanting to purchas a home. Many people who get their income through benefits cannot accrue savings due to resource limitations making it difficult or impossible to purchase a home. Attitudinal barriers that prevent individuals from controlling their own homes are the beliefs that people can't make long term decisions, aren't capable of living on their own, and can't sign a lease or control money. The Alliance can help people overcome these barriers.

The members of the Alliance provide technical assistance at the state and local levels to change policies and regulations that prevent people from having a home of their own. A steering committee is set up in each state that receives technical assistance from the Alliance. The steering committee will typically include people with disabilities, representatives of the banking industry, advocacy organizations and affordable housing and disability groups. These state committees will decide how to help more people own and control their housing.

Who Can Use this InfoPack?
This InfoPack is intended as a reference for individuals with disabilities, family members, advocates, and professionals who are searching for resources on affordable housing and home ownership. Use this InfoPack as a starting point on your search. The InfoPack will be updated every six months. However, offices move and phone numbers change; you may need to try several times to get the correct office or person. If you know of an organization, publication, video or other resource that you have found helpful, please fill out the form at the back of the InfoPack and return it to the Center for Universal Design at the University of North Carolina.

The InfoPack
The resources in this InfoPack include financing sources, government agencies, private non profit organizations, and other groups and publications. Generally the organizations that we have listed have both national and state-level offices or affiliates. Where appropriate, we list the national office to contact to get state or local office phone numbers and addresses. In other cases, we list the state or local agency which you can locate in the phone book or at your public library.

Each organization is listed because they have information to contribute to a particular aspect of the effort. They may be familiar with disability issues, but less so with housing; or they may be knowledgeable about housing but not necessarily about disability issues. Your contact with these organizations can also serve as an opportunity to educate them. Have the organization get in touch with us at the Information and Referral Center, listed below, for more information.

This InfoPack focuses on housing, and is divided into five sections:

A separate InfoPack devoted to community supports and person-centered planning will be available early in 1996.

General Resources

Information & Referral Center - Toll Free InfoLine

The National Home of Your Own Alliance supports a toll-free Information and Referral phone line. Currently, the information specialists provide general information about the National Home of Your Own Alliance and its activities. Technical assistance in accessible and universal design and home modifications is also available through the InfoLine. Publications produced by the National Home of Your Own Alliance are disseminated through the Information and Referral Center.

How to Contact the Information & Referral Center:

Toll-free InfoLine: 800-220-8770

Address to Write:
National Home of Your Own Alliance
c/o The Center for Universal Design
North Carolina State University
Box 8613
Raleigh, NC 27695-8613
Fax: 919-515-3023

Alliance Publications & Resources
The following publications offer information and further resources across the broad range of issues related to person owned and controlled housing.


Organizations

These organizations may be able to help with questions over the phone and can serve as valuable resources for Home of Your Own projects. They have also produced publications relevant to person owned and controlled housing. You may call them with questions or write to them for lists of their publications.

Communitas Inc.
730 Main Street
Manchester CT 06040
Phone: 203-645-6976

Communitas Inc. provides networking, educational materials, conducts seminars and conferences, and spearheads creative projects concerning the full participation of children and adults with disabilities in community life.

Communitas, Inc.:
The Whole Community Catalogue
David Wetherow/Communitas, 1992,
Gunnars & Campbell,
Winnipeg.
$15 plus $2 shipping & handling

A source book for enriching our communities, neighborhoods, schools, workplaces, associations and families through full participation and inclusion of people who have disabilities. A collection of essential articles, ideas, reviews and connections. Includes resources on relationships, education, vocations, training, networks, periodicals, catalogues and housing.

Research and Training Center on Community Integration
Center on Human Policy
Syracuse University
200 Huntington Hall
Syracuse NY 13244-2340
Phone: 315-443-3851

The Center on Human Policy at Syracuse University, through its Research and Training Center on Community Integration, distributes a variety of reports and resources on the integration of people with severe disabilities into community life. Call or write for a complete listing of all their publications.

Available from the Research and Training Center on Community Integration:

Annotated Bibliography on Aging, Disabilities, Advocacy and Environmental Design.
Ed. Kathleen Bishop, Research and Training Center on Community Integration, 1993, 23 pp., Syracuse, NY., $2.40

Annotated Bibliography on Community Integration, Revised
Research and Training Center on Community Integration,
1990, 250 pp., Syracuse, NY., $16.75


Publications

The following publications offer information and further resources across the broad range of issues related to person owned and controlled housing.

Life in the Community: Case Studies of Organizations Supporting People with Disabilities
Edited by Steven J. Taylor, Robert Bogdan, and Julie Ann Racino, 1991, Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., 304 pp., $30.00 (The Community Participation Series, Volume 1)

This has comprehensive case studies organized around three themes: families; housing; and the role of the community in integration. It provides practical ideas, applications, and strategies to promote successful community integration for people of all abilities.

Housing, Support and Community: Choices and Strategies for Adults with Disabilities
Edited by Julie Ann Racino, Pamela Walker, Susan O'Connor, and Steven Taylor, 1993, Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., 394 pp., $32.00
(The Community Participation Series, Volume 2)

This book demonstrates the importance of people with disabilities having control over their lives by discussing various approaches to support, life planning, choices, and decision-making within the context of housing.

Natural Supports in School, at Work, and in the Community for People with Severe Disabilities
Edited : Jan Nisbit, Ph.D..
1992, Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., 384 pp., $30.00

This work combines thoughtful research and provocative first-person accounts to illustrate how natural supports work. It supports the position that assistance must be defined by the needs of individuals rather than the requirements of service systems, Included is a chapter written by Jay Klein titled, "Get Me the Hell Out of Here," which discusses natural supports for people in their own home.

Critical Issues in the Lives of People with Severe Disabilities. Meyer, Luanna; Peck, Charles A.; Brown, Lou. 1991, Paul H. Brookes Publishing Co., 704 pp., $90.00

This anthology contains documents and research monographs on issues that affect the lives of people with disabilities. Especially pertinent are the sections on community living and support describing where and how people with disabilities will live. Building on the vital mission of The Association for Persons with Severe Handicaps (TASH) to resolve discrepancies in public opinion and among professionals regarding principles and practices, this well-organized, state-of-the-art resource is written by noted authorities and advocates who offer provocative and creative challenges.

These books and others available from:
Paul H. Brookes Publishing Company
P.O. Box 10624
Baltimore, MD 21285-0624
Phone: 1-800-638-3775

Ask for a complete catalogue.


Homeownership/Buying a Home

Buying a home, particularly for the first time, can be confusing and complicated. There are many steps to follow, many people involved, and large amounts of money are exchanged. Book stores and libraries will have books on mortgages and home purchase. Increasingly, local banks will offer first-time homebuyer brochures, training sessions or videos that may prove helpful. The following publications help to simplify and explain the process.

Publications

A Guide to Homeownership
Fannie Mae Customer Education Group, 1994, 125 pp., $2.00

This comprehensive overview of the home ownership process includes chapters on shopping for a home, obtaining a mortgage, closing, and long-term responsibilities of owning a home. Especially helpful are the many charts on topics such as allowable debt payments and mortgage qualifications. Useful worksheets are contained in the appendix.

Available from:
Fannie Mae
Customer Education Group
3900 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016-2899
800-688-4663

Settlement Costs: A HUD Guide.
U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development. (August 1988)

This pamphlet describes the settlement process in which real estate passes from the seller to the buyer. The first section describes the settlement process, nature of charges and suggests questions you might ask. The second section is an item-by-item practical description of services and costs.

Available from:
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Library and Information Services
HUD Building
Washington, DC 20410
202-708-1420

Tips & Traps When Buying a Home.

Irwin, Robert, 1992,
New York
McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, Inc.
208 pp., $12.95 plus shipping and handling

Robert Irwin discusses the "nitty-gritty" aspects of purchasing a home such as negotiating, how much you can afford, how to find the right house, picking an agent, inspecting the house, making an offer, understanding the sales agreement, counter-offers, financing, keeping closing costs down and buying and/or building your own house or condo.

Available from:
McGraw-Hill Publishing Company, Inc.
Order Services
P.O. Box 545
BlackLick Ohio 43004-0545
Phone: 800-722-4726


Complete Home Inspection Kit
Ventolo, William L. ,1990
Chicago, Illinois
Dearborn Financial Publishing Inc.
224 pp., $15.95 plus shipping and handling

This comprehensive guide shows how to inspect a home to find both obvious and hidden defects. Detecting hidden problems can help you make a reasonable offer on a house or a avoid costly and bothersome repairs later.

Available from:
Dearborn Financial Publishing Inc.
520 North Dearborn
Chicago, IL 60601-4354
Phone: 312-836-4400 Ext. 650


Housing Is For Everyone: Affordable Homes for People With Disabilities. Raymond, Beth, 1992, New Hampshire Developmental Disabilities Council, Concord, NH. 35 pp., Single copy free.

This book discusses the key issues in home ownership and control for people with disabilities including rental assistance, alternative ownership, financing and supports. While it lists only New Hampshire resources in the appendix, a number of those organizations listed will have counterparts in other states.

Available from:
The New Hampshire Developmental Disabilities Council
Concord Center
10 Ferry Street
Box 315
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: 603-271-3236


Alternative Ownership & Community-Building

There are forms of tenancy other than buying a single family home, purchasing a condominium or renting an apartment. This section includes information resources about ownership options such as co-operatives, co-housing, land trusts, and mutual housing arrangements. In most cases, these other ownership forms structure relationships with other owners differently so that the housing is more affordable and builds on interdependency. The pooling of skills and talents, cooperative decision-making, and shared responsibility are major tenants of these types of ownership.

In co-operatives, households own shares in the property asset rather than owning the individual unit as with condominiums. Co-housing occurs when a group develops land together and owns autonomous residences with shared common facilities. With co-ops and co-housing the owners may be able to influence site and building design to an extent not possible with many other affordable housing options. Land trusts are community non-profit organizations that buy land for the purpose of maintaining affordable housing into the future. They do this by limiting the appreciation that can accrue to the owners of the residences on this land.


Organizations

These organizations may be able to help with questions over the phone and can serve as valuable resources for Home of Your Own projects. They have also produced publications relevant to person owned and controlled housing. You may call them with questions or to get their publications.

Center for Cooperative Housing (CCH)
1614 King Street
Alexandria, VA 22314
Phone: 703-684-3185

The Center for Cooperative Housing helps people get cooperative housing efforts started. This is the sister organization to the National Association of Housing Cooperatives (NAHC-listed under publications) which is a membership organization of housing cooperatives.


CoHousing Network
P.O. Box 2584
Berkeley CA 94702
Phone: 510-526-6124

The Network can provide general information about Co-housing. It publishes the Journal of the CoHousing Network and will provide information on subscriptions and sample issues as a part of its informational packet. A subscription includes an annual national list of co-housing contacts, back issues as well as a resource list of related publications.


Institute for Community Economics (ICE)
57 School Street
Springfield, MA 01105-1331
Phone: 413-746-8660

ICE acts as a resource for land trust start-ups and publishes a newsletter. They can provide referrals to nearby land trusts for additional assistance.


Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (NRC)
607 Boylston Street, 5th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
Phone: 617-450-0410

The Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation (NRC) is a national organization with nine regional offices and 180 affiliated organizations in 150 cities around the country, including eight mutual housing associations. The organization promotes affordable housing, and community and economic development. The Boston office of NRC provides information and technical assistance for mutual housing associations around the issues of resident participation, property management and real estate development. Write or call for information and free publications as well as lists of for-sale publications.


Publications

The Housemate Agreement
The Center for Universal Design, 1992, 12 pp., $3.00

Home owners may find it useful to share their homes with others. A housemate agreement avoids the tenant/landlord status that may otherwise result from this relationship. Considerations and advantages to both the owner and the housemate are discussed, and a copy of a sample agreement is included.

Available from:
The Center for Universal Design
North Carolina State University
Box 8613
Raleigh, NC 27695-8613
Phone: 800-


Financing Home Purchases and Remodeling

Sources of assistance are probably available in your community for building new homes, purchasing existing homes or remodeling homes. Most assistance is targeted at households with low incomes. These assistance sources can come in the form of grants, mortgages, construction help, special mortgage insurance or guidance. Mortgage or loan assistance can be below market interest rates or deferred payment loans. Grants may be available for down payment assistance or help with closing costs. Groups such as Habitat for Humanity are known for their construction assistance.

These funding sources may be available through your local lender, your city or town community development office or housing authority, a local non-profit community development corporation or community housing development organization, State Housing Finance Agency or other organization/agaency. Community land trusts or community loan funds may also offer special arrangements for home ownership.

Resources for remodeling also come from a variety of places. The home modification/remodeling resources may come attached to a first mortgage, or may be added-on as a second mortgage. In this way, a home purchaser may qualify for a mortgage that will cover purchase costs as well as necessary remodeling costs. Alternatively, elderly parents may move out of their home and deed it to their adult child. In this case, the son or daughter will have minimal acquisition costs but may need to remodel for access or remodel for upgrades mandated by a building code. Many of the sources listed here have special programs for remodeling.


Organizations

Federal/National Organizations:

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Library and Information Services
HUD Building
Washington, DC 20410

HUD's home ownership opportunities and home improvement programs are available to individual households through state and local agencies or organizations. As this publication goes to print, many changes in HUD's organization and programs are being discussed. Please check on the availability of these programs in your area.

The numbers below will give you general information about HUD programs. To find out which HUD programs are operating in your area check with your regional HUD representative, your local lender, your local community development office or housing authority, a local non-profit community development corporation or community housing development organization.

Phone: 202-708-1420
For general information on HUD programs, referral to regional HUD offices, and information on most HUD publications.

Phone: 800-767-4483
HUD Home Hot Line. For a free brochure with step by step information on how to buy a competitively priced HUD-owned home.

Phone: 800- 733-4663
For Information about the Title 1 Program: the Federal Housing Administration (FHA) mortgage insurance program.


Mortgage Bankers Association of America
1125 15th Street, NW
Washington, DC 20005-2766
Phone: 202-861-6500
Fax: 202-822-6320

A membership institution involved in real estate finance, this organization conducts seminars and workshops in specialized areas of mortgage finance. It also offers over-the-phone help with a variety of home finance questions.


Rural Housing and Community Development Service (RHCDS) (formerly, the Farmer's Home Administration)
U.S. Department of Agriculture
14th and Independence Avenue, SW
Washington, DC 20250
Phone: 202-720-4323

RHCDS offers financial assistance to apartment dwellers and homeowners in rural areas. Specific housing programs include the Rural Rental Housing Program, Rural Housing Preservation Grants Program, and a Congregate Housing Program. The RHCDS has regional and local offices which serve all fifty states, DC, and Puerto Rico.


Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae) 3900 Wisconsin Avenue, NW
Washington, DC 20016

Fannie Mae's sole focus is homeownership and mortgages. Fannie Mae has an effect on homeownership and affordable housing because many of the mortgage lending rules that banks must follow come from Fannie Mae.

Phone: 800-688-4663 For their most popular general package, Opening the Doors to a Home of Your Own. This package includes information on mortgage types, special lost cost mortgage options and a list of participating lenders.

Phone: 800-732-6643 For technical assistance, referral, guidelines, and all other brochures and fact sheets.


Community Information Exchange
1029 Vermont Avenue, NW, Suite 710
Washington, DC 20005
Phone: 202-628-2981

A national non-profit organization that helps urban and rural communities with in-depth information on strategies and resources for affordable housing and community development. Resources include funding information, case study examples, providers of technical assistance, bibliographic resources, and sample documents.


National Foundation for Affordable Housing 11200 Rockville Pike
Rockville, MD 20852
Phone: 301-468-3100

This foundation works to maintain the existing stock of affordable housing and encourages the development of new affordable housing through public/private partnerships.


National Housing Institute (NHI) 439 Main Street
Orange, New Jersey 07050
Phone: 201-678-3110

The National Housing Institute is a non-profit organization that provides information and resources that contribute to community development and the creation and preservation of decent, affordable housing for all people. Shelterforce is the six times-per-year publication of NHI.


State Agencies

You can contact these state organizations by checking for a listing in the phone book, through directory assistance or with the assistance of the reference section of your public library. You can also contact the Alliance's toll-free number.

State Rehabilitation Services/State Vocational Rehabilitation Services

State agencies established to provide consultation, counseling, professional and educational rehabilitation and training for people with mental and physical disabilities. The agency is part of state government and generally resides in the state capital. Additional services in some states include residential services, independent living programs, and recreation services. Financial assistance for home accessibility modifications is often dispensed through this agency as well.

Housing Finance Agencies (HFAs)

Public, non-profit agencies created in every state (except Kansas and Arizona) to address housing needs through financing the development and preservation of affordable ownership and rental housing for low-income persons. State HFAs are authorized to sell tax-exempt bonds to raise funds for home construction, home purchase, and in some states, for home improvement loans. State HFAs are often located in the state capital.


Publications

Financing Home Accessibility Modifications
Emil Malizia, Richard Duncan, and Jan Reagan, 1993, 38 pp.,
Center for Universal Design, Raleigh, NC. $20.00.

This guide discusses a range of resources which can be used for home accessibility. The books covers assistance for both renters and home owners and offers guidance and direction for locating assistance at the state and local level. Sources discussed include Medicaid, state vocational rehabilitation, consumer/advocacy organizations, civic organizations, and Community Development Block Grants.

Available from: Center for Universal Design
North Carolina State University
Box 8613
Raleigh, NC 27695-8613
Phone: 800-

Mortgage Loans: What's Right for You?
Bridges, James E., 1994, Cincinnati, Ohio:
Betterway Books
144 pp., $14.95 plus shipping and handling

This book describes the advantages and disadvantages to all types of mortgage loans. Included is information on private mortgage insurance, closing costs, prepaid items and loan qualification.

Available from:
Betterway Books
1507 Dana Avenue
Cincinnati, OH 45207-1005
Phone: 800-289-0963


A Practical and Simple Guide To a Home Mortgage

Bass, Gary J., 1987,
Irving, Texas
G & P Publishing.
66 pp., $10.50 (including shipping & handling)

This book offers an overview of the financial aspects of purchasing a home. It is a hands-on guide to loans, interest rates and other practical aspects of financing a home. It includes worksheets to aide perspective home buyers.

Available from:
G & P Publishing
1404 Lookout Circle
Irving, TX 75060-4909
Phone: 214-986-6575

Renting a Home

People with disabilities have federal protection against discrimination in housing as a result of the 1988 Fair Housing Amendments Act (FHAA). The FHAA can assure fair treatment in the rental and lending process as well as allow a tenant to initiate certain types of modifications to a rental unit.

Organizations

Fair Housing Information Clearinghouse P.O. Box 6091
Rockville, MD 20850
Phone: 800-343-3442

The Fair Housing Information Clearinghouse provides educational materials, a newsletter, advertising materials, regulations, reports, and documents on fair housing; information and materials developed under HUD's fair housing programs; and referrals to other sources of information. This will be particularly useful for those seeking fair treatment in obtaining rental housing.

U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)
Phone: 800-669-9777
HUD Housing Discrimination Hot Line

To get information about your Fair Housing rights or to register a complaint if you think that you have been a victim of housing discrimination. You can be connected to the HUD office that serves your area.


Publications

Fact Sheet #1
Fair Housing Amendments Act:
Provisions Relating to Discrimination Based on Disability
1991 3 pp., $1.00

Fact Sheet #2
Fair Housing Amendments Act:
Reasonable Modification of Existing Premises
1991 2 pp., $1.00

Available from:
The Center for Universal Design
North Carolina State University
Box 8613
Raleigh, NC 27695-8613
Toll-free InfoLine:
Fax : 919-515-3023


Resources for Updates to InfoPak

We have made every attempt to verify the information in this Info Pack. Please help us keep the information accurate. Let us know of changes or corrections. Contact the Information & Referral Center:

Toll-free InfoLine: 800-220-8770

Address to Write:

National Home of Your Own Alliance c/o The Center for Universal Design
North Carolina State University
Box 8613
Raleigh, NC 27695-8613
Fax : 919-515-3023

If there is a resource or organization that you have found particularly helpful, please use the form below to let us know that you'd like to see it listed in the next InfoPack.

Title/Name:
Author/Contact:
Address/Phone:
Description:
Year published:___________ [publication only}
Number of pages: _____
Price:________ Ordering Info:_________ (_)



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