For Immediate Release: May 9th, 2023
Who: National ADAPT
What: Demonstration to demand Speaker McCarthy invest in people with disabilities
When: HAPPENING NOW
Where: Rayburn Building, Washington, D.C.
For More information:
Rhoda Gibson, (617) 504-1792, rhodagibson2@gmail.com
Pam Auer, (717)418-0419, pauer@cilcp.org
National ADAPT Demands that HUD Immediately Include and Prioritize Funding for Accessible Affordable Housing for People With Disabilities
Washington, D.C.- The disabled community has paid the price before and during COVID. We have been locked away in institutions because of lack of affordable and accessible housing and have died at an extremely high rate while waiting to transition to affordable accessible housing. On the 40th Anniversary of National ADAPT, National ADAPT, the nation’s largest grassroots disability rights activist organization, has been urging HUD to act on these critical issues. These programs enable people to live outside institutions and in freedom in their communities. National ADAPT calls on Speaker Kevin McCarthy to do the following:
1-Funding going to housing must be doubled, that is the requirement under Section 504 for housing units to be built as mobility-disability accessible needs to be increased by 10% and as sensory-disability accessible needs to be increased by 4%.
2-Create a permanent funding for Barrier Eliminations for accessibility modifications for people transitioning out of facilities and those at risk of going into facilities (i.e., nursing facilities).
3-Make Housing Choice vouchers an entitlement for all who need housing.
4-Continue to issue Mainstream vouchers for disabled people to transition out of facilities and who are at risk of going into facilities (i.e. nursing facilities). HUD will track these vouchers.
5-Enact or include the Eleanor Smith Inclusive Home Design Act, this would allow for any new housing built to have one entrance to the house with no steps and a half a bathroom on the first floor, just large enough for someone in a wheelchair to use. This would allow for integration of disabled into their communities to visit others.
With this increase in funding, existing programs will be enhanced. It is time for Speaker McCarthy to keep his promise to National ADAPT and all Americans – that they will truly invest in accessible affordable housing. We pay taxes and vote!