Housing Assistance

Our staff can help in identifying available housing programs and options.

Our housing assistance services include providing information, advice and assistance related to securing housing or shelter, including existing accessible housing.  This includes assistance with reviewing and evaluating newspaper ads, advice on communication with landlords, providing lists of available accessible housing, and housing support application information and assistance.

Contact

For general housing assistance, contact one of the following agencies:

• Independent Living Center of Erie County, 716-836-0822
• Independent Living of the Genesee Region, 585-815-8501
• Independent Living of Niagara County, 716-284-4131
• Mental Health Peer Connection, 716-836-0822

Olmstead Housing Subsidy (OHS)

Available Counties: Erie, Niagara, Genesee, Orleans, Wyoming

The Olmstead Housing Subsidy (OHS) is a rental subsidy program that operates similarly to Section 8 vouchers. Its purpose is to support seniors and individuals with disabilities in transitioning out of or preventing placement in nursing homes by promoting housing stability. Housing Specialists aid in enrolling consumers in the program, locating suitable housing options, and offering one-time or ongoing financial assistance for furniture and essential household items. Consumers must exhaust all other funding options before qualifying for OHS services, and services are based on funding availability.

Eligibility

To be eligible, an individual must:

• Be enrolled in Medicaid, or Medicare and Medicaid.
• Meet income limits based on HUD’s Extremely Low-Income guidelines.
• Be 55 years or older, or 18 years or older with a documented chronic disability.
• Have spent 120 consecutive days in a nursing home within the past two years.
• Meet nursing home level of care if not residing in a nursing home.
• Be homeless, in a nursing home, or at risk of nursing home placement due to unstable housing.
• Be able to safely receive services in a community-based setting.

Contact

• Independent Living Center of Erie County, 716-836-0822
• Independent Living of the Genesee Region, 585-815-8501
• Independent Living of Niagara County, 716-284-4131

Rapid Rehousing Transition Program (RTHP)

Available Counties: Erie, Niagara

The Rapid Rehousing Transition Program (RTHP) ensures seniors and people with disabilities can afford accessible, safe, sanitary, and sustainable housing. RTHP provides ongoing rental subsidies for high-need Medicaid beneficiaries. The program locates units that are at or below the Fair Market Rate (FRM) set by HUD. Individuals are required to pay 30% of their income and utilities (if not included).

Community Transition Services (CTS) are available to pay for furniture, essential household furnishings, and small e-mods. Independent Living Specialists provide wraparound services to ensure participants are connected to appropriate providers/resources. Consumers must exhaust all other funding options before qualifying for RTHP services, and services are based on funding availability.

Eligibility

• Medicaid members with one or more documented chronic physical disabilities and have two or more chronic conditions such as diabetes or asthma and are referred as homeless high utilizers. Priority will be given to those who are awaiting organ transplant and need emergency housing to meet waitlist requirements.
• Members must provide written verification via doctor/hospital discharge paperwork, health home or MCO of chronic physical disability, 1st chronic disease, and 2nd chronic disease.
• Member must also provide written verification from a hospital, MCO, medical respite, PPS, or SNF of 2 or more inpatient stays in the past 12 months; or 5 or more emergency department (ED) visits in the past 12 months; or 4 or more ED visits and 1 or more inpatient stays in the past 12 months; or proof of identity and proof of age.

Contact

• Independent Living Center of Erie County, 716-836-0822
• Independent Living of Niagara County, 716-284-4131

Pathstone Rapid Rehousing Program

Available County: Genesee

The Pathstone Rapid Rehousing program is an initiative funded by HUD (U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) that provides rental assistance and support for security deposits to individuals experiencing homelessness. The program gives priority to individuals with disabilities and those who have experienced long-term homelessness in the past. Its main goal is to quickly rehouse individuals and provide them with the necessary resources to obtain and maintain stable housing.

Contact

• Independent Living of the Genesee Region, 585-815-8501