Olmstead Housing Subsidy Program - New York Association On Independent Living

This program offers statewide rental assistance and transitional housing support, inspired by the Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) and Nursing Home Transition and Diversion (NHTD) waiver subsidy initiatives, specifically for high-need Medicaid beneficiaries. It aims to assist seniors and individuals with disabilities in moving out of nursing homes or skilled nursing facilities, or to help prevent their placement in such facilities by ensuring stable housing. The program guarantees that participants can access affordable, safe, sanitary, and sustainable housing within their communities. Participants are also provided with supportive services to help them understand their rights and responsibilities while ensuring community-based services are available. They have the freedom to select any housing that meets program criteria, not just those in subsidized housing projects. Housing Specialists assist participants in finding suitable community housing and conduct inspections to verify that health and safety standards are upheld. To qualify, rental units must be priced at or below the fair market rent as established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Additionally, funding is available for community transition services, which may cover security deposits, moving costs, utility payments, and household setup expenses.

For intake, interested individuals should call for more information. Residents in Cattaraugus, Chautauqua, Erie, Niagara, Orleans, or Wyoming County can reach out to Erika Dane McGriff at Western New York Independent Living in Buffalo (email emcgriff@wnyil.org or call 716-836-0822, Ext. 185) or David Marg at Southwestern Independent Living Center (call 716-661-3010 or email David@ilc-jamestown-ny.org). Those in Genesee County should contact Mike Buckpitt, Supervisor/Lead at the Center for Disability Rights (email mbuckpitt@cdrnys.org or call 585-546-7510).

Regarding fees, tenants are expected to contribute about one-third of their monthly income towards rent, with the OHS program covering the remainder. Further details can be obtained by calling.