HUD Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities

Quick Facts

• Program type: HUD funds nonprofit and public housing agency partners to develop apartments with embedded supportive services or to provide project rental assistance within mainstream developments.
• Tenant contribution: Residents pay roughly 30% of adjusted income toward rent and utilities; HUD subsidies cover the remainder up to the approved rent.
• Services included: Coordination with Medicaid waivers, case management, transportation, and life-skills coaching tailored to each tenant’s needs.
• Current demand: Waitlists reopen as new properties lease up or when turnover occurs—monitor local notices and disability advocates for alerts.
• Best starting point: Contact your state’s Section 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA) coordinator or local public housing agency (PHA) that administers the program.

Why This Program Fills a Gap

Section 811 is one of the few federal resources dedicated to expanding integrated housing for adults with disabilities who do not require nursing homes but struggle to find accessible units they can afford. While the Housing Choice Voucher program offers broad rental subsidies, landlords often decline vouchers for tenants needing intensive supports. Section 811 pairs rental assistance with services funding and property design requirements (e.g., universal design, proximity to transit) so residents can live independently. Since the FindMyMoney catalog previously lacked a deep dive on Section 811, disability advocates and families may have missed pathways to permanent housing stability.

Eligibility and Prioritization

Eligibility combines disability status, income, and service needs:

1. Disability verification: Applicants must have a documented long-term physical, intellectual, developmental, or serious mental illness disability that qualifies them for community-based services.
2. Income limits: Most programs target extremely low-income households (<30% of area median income), with very low income (<50% AMI) as the ceiling.
3. Service linkage: Applicants typically need to be eligible for supportive services funded by state Medicaid agencies, behavioral health authorities, or other service providers partnering with the property.

Many states prioritize individuals leaving institutions, youth exiting foster care, or people experiencing chronic homelessness. Confirm local preferences before applying.

Application Pathways

1. Locate participating properties: State housing agencies publish property lists and waitlist status on their websites. Disability rights organizations and Centers for Independent Living often maintain referral directories.
2. Join interest lists: When waitlists are closed, request to be notified when they reopen. Some agencies maintain referral pools from service providers.
3. Prepare documentation: Gather disability verification letters, proof of income (award letters, pay stubs), identification, Social Security numbers, and rental history references.
4. Coordinate with service partners: Many applications require a referral form completed by a case manager or healthcare provider confirming service eligibility and support plans.
5. Respond quickly: When your name is pulled, you may have only days to submit paperwork, attend interviews, and authorize background checks. Keep copies organized and ready.
6. Complete annual recertification: Once housed, report income changes within 10 days and complete yearly recertification to keep rent accurate and services aligned.

Tips to Improve Your Chances

• Engage service agencies early: Being enrolled in Medicaid waiver programs or mental health services streamlines referrals and shows readiness for independent living.
• Request reasonable accommodations: If paperwork deadlines conflict with medical needs, ask for extensions in writing. PHAs must consider accommodations under the Fair Housing Act.
• Explore multiple properties: Section 811 units exist in both stand-alone developments and scattered-site apartments. Apply to several to widen options.
• Coordinate transportation plans: Demonstrate how you will access appointments, employment, or education—ride-share vouchers, paratransit enrollment, or travel training can strengthen applications.
• Plan for tenancy success: Work with housing counselors on budgeting, housekeeping, and landlord communication to reduce the risk of lease violations.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use Section 811 with other subsidies? No. Section 811 rental assistance cannot be combined with Housing Choice Vouchers, but you can layer supportive services funded by Medicaid, state general funds, or philanthropy.

What if my income increases? Rent adjusts with income. If income exceeds the program limits, you may receive transition planning to other housing.

Are properties required to be fully accessible? Yes. Section 811-funded developments must meet accessibility standards and offer reasonable accommodations or modifications as needed.

Insider Tips to Win Section 811 Housing

• Build relationships with your state’s Money Follows the Person or Olmstead transition teams—they often have direct pipelines to Section 811 openings.
• Keep a go-bag with identification, Social Security cards, and benefit letters so you can submit complete packets immediately when called.
• Ask your service provider to attend lease signings and move-in inspections; their presence shows strong support networks.
• After move-in, schedule quarterly check-ins with your case manager to troubleshoot issues before they escalate to lease violations.
• Share feedback with disability councils—states adjust allocation strategies based on tenant outcomes and advocate recommendations, influencing future unit availability.