AMHA Awarded Additional Vouchers for Families with Disabilities

Akron Metropolitan Housing Authority (AMHA) was awarded $332,100 for the Mainstream voucher program that will assist 75 additional families struggling to find housing due to a disability. These additional vouchers bring AMHA’s total Mainstream vouchers to 179.  
 
AMHA is the largest affordable housing provider in Summit County, with 40,000 individuals currently in AMHA subsidized housing. Despite this, there is a significant shortage of affordable housing in our county.  At all income levels and for all people, there is a need to have more housing resources for our community.    
 
One specific population, individuals and families with a family member who is disabled, face even greater challenges finding housing that meets their needs and they are one of the populations that is most impacted by the county’s limited housing options. The lack of accessible and affordable housing is the number one barrier to Ohioans with a disability to live independently outside of institutions and shelters.  
 
Families impacted by disabilities are frequently on a fixed income of less than $800 per month. This $800 must pay for rent, food, medical needs, and all other living expenses. With this limited income, a family may be forced to decide between rent and other family needs. AMHA’s Mainstream Program will offer a relief to these families, minimizing the greatest cost they have each month, rent. Participating families in this program will seek out housing that is best suited to the needs of the family.  Families will pay 30 percent of their monthly income towards rent, and AMHA will pay the landlord the remaining rent amount out of the funds made available through this program.  
 
Although many partners within Summit County are dedicated to serving the population with disabilities, there are very few resources available to provide permanent housing assistance for these individuals and families. Programs like AMHA’s Mainstream voucher program are critical to developing more stable housing for families living with a disability. 
 
AMHA received this federal funding in partnership with local service providers including Summit County Developmental Disabilities Board (Summit DD), United Way of Summit County, Tri-County Independent Living Center (TCILC), Direction Home, Family & Community Services, Inc., United Disability Services (UDS), Coleman Professional Services, Community Support Services, County of Summit ADM Board, and Portage Path Behavioral Health.