Tennessee Disability Housing Assistance Program NASHVILLE TN United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee, Tennessee Housing Development Agency, and a variety of collaborating organizations across Tennessee announce the creation of the Tennessee Disability Housing Assistance Program. As the lead agency, UCP has been allocated a two year grant in the amount of $600,000 from the Tennessee Housing Trust Fund. Working through a statewide partner network, these funds are allocated to meet specific home and community based housing needs of low income persons with disabilities in Tennessee who do not receive housing supports through state Medicaid Waiver programs. THDA has targeted the program to Tennessee rural communities. Residents of the four largest urban counties (Davidson, Knox, Hamilton, and Shelby) are currently not eligible for the program. Uses of the fund The fund may be used for a variety of purposes specific to disability related housing needs. Among these include: 1) Construction activities specific to disability needs such as widening doorways for wheelchair access, modifying bathrooms, and installing grab bars, 2) Funding assistance to move from a non-accessible home to an accessible home, 3) Funding assistance to move from a nursing home or institutional setting to a community based setting, 4) Funding assistance to assist a homeless person with a disability to move into a home, 5) Housing related assistance in emergency or crisis situations such as fire, flood or other natural disaster, death of a primary caregiver, extended hospitalization or a medical emergency such as a recently acquired severe disability, and 6) Weatherization of a home where a person with a severe disability lives. Eligibility Eligibility for the fund was established according to the same basic criteria as the state’s Family Support Program. UCP must document that applicants have a disability that results in a substantial limitation in three or more major life activities and the disability is long-term or likely to continue indefinitely. Individuals must also meet the family income guidelines established by THDA. These guidelines are based on total household income and the number of people living in the home. Funding Per Household While the maximum amount allocable per household is $4000, most of the grants are smaller, with an average in the $1,000 to $1,500 range. The program also requires a 50% match for each grant. This means that a $1,000 grant would require a $500 match. Some families may have their own cash match for their project, while others may not. If individuals do not have the cash or other resources available for the required match, they can go ahead and apply. If the application is approved, UCP will try to connect individual with a community organization that can help with the match. The match does not have to be a cash match. It can include volunteer services, donated supplies, and other in-kind resources. Download Application - PDF For more information about the Tennessee Disability Housing Assistance Program, or to request to have an application mailed or faxed to you call 615-242-4091 and ask for John Pickett, Program Director