With two new initiatives, federal officials are awarding millions of dollars to help improve housing options for people with disabilities.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development said that it’s making $86.85 million available to public housing agencies in more than three dozen states in what are known as Mainstream funding vouchers.

The vouchers are tagged for non-elderly individuals with disabilities who have been affected by the coronavirus pandemic.

Separately, HUD said it is also allocating $54.7 million toward 15 organizations in 12 states and Washington, D.C. to fund the development of more rental housing for people with disabilities and to provide rental assistance.

The organizations will use the funds to “create permanent supportive housing models that will be at the forefront of design, service delivery and efficient use of federal resources,” HUD indicated. The agency said that the idea is to provide long-term housing security and facilitate community integration.

“These awards reinforce our dedication to expanding the supply of affordable rental housing for persons with disabilities,” said Dana Wade, assistant secretary for housing and federal housing commissioner at HUD. “The development of new rental housing, and subsidies for residents will expand their options to live with independence within the community in a more integrated environment.”

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