ARIZONA’S 2003 CONSOLIDATED PLAN FOR HOUSING
To qualify for continued HUD funding, every five years each state’s Department of Housing develops and presents its Consolidated Plan to the federal government and the public. The Plan describes goals and projects to be addressed during the coming 5-year period.
In addition, annually each state modifies its Consolidated Plan as new or altered conditions arise.
At the suggestion of attorney Stephen Gold of Philadelphia, Disability Rights activists all over the country worked hard last year to ensure that our housing access issues would be acknowledged in our states’ Plans.
Arizonans with chemical and electrical sensitivity disabilities made our housing requirements known at a series of hearings last spring held by Arizona’s Department of Housing (ADOH).
Organized by New Horizons Independent Living Center of Prescott Valley, ten of us testified in person at the Tucson and Prescott Valley hearings and 54 more submitted written testimony. It remains to be seen how intentions will become construction projects, but at least we’ve gotten ourselves invited into the discussion from now on.
Ask to be put on ADOH’s mailing list for notification regarding upcoming trainings, hearings, and opportunities for public comment.
In the 2003 Arizona Consolidated Plan finished draft, just released to HUD for approval, are included:
Page 17, Section Two: FY (Fiscal Year) 2003 Annual Action Plan, Objective #5, PROVIDE HOUSING FOR PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES:
Promote awareness in both public and private housing about the need to accommodate disabilities.
Ensure adherence to accessibility standards in all federal and state assisted housing.
Promote visitibility in public and privately funded housing to include wheelchair accessible front doors / hallways and wheelchair accessible bathrooms.
Incorporate provisions in publicly funded housing to accommodate persons with all disabilities.
Section Two: FY 2003 Annual Action Plan, Page 17, Objective #6, INCREASE HOUSING OPPORTUNITIES FOR PERSONS WITH CHEMICAL AND ELECTRICAL SENSITIVITIES:
Encourage Public Housing Authorities to implement policies and procedures conducive to healthy safe housing for chemically and electrically sensitive residents.
Promote awareness in both public and private housing about the need to accommodate disabilities.
Promote awareness of any institutional barriers to successful housing for persons with chemical and electrical sensitivities.
Encourage provisions in publicly funded housing to accommodate persons with chemical and electrical sensitivities. Such provisions should prevent additional exposure from indoor pollution, and unnecessary chemical and electrical exposure, in publicly funded housing.
Section Two, FY 2003 Annual Action Plan, Pages 52 through 56, Section 2.2.6., SPECIAL NEEDS HOUSING PROGRAM
Get the document and study these 5 pages if developing "safe accessible affordable private and multi-family housing" is on your To-Do list. Herein you’ll find:
Overview of funding programs
Programs and components
Description of Eligible Services, Provisions and Criteria; who qualifies for which programs under what circumstances
Application Instructions and Deadlines, ADOH’s/HUD’s funding priorities
Susan Molloy, M.A., 8657 Hansa Trail, Snowflake, AZ 85937
(928) 536-4625, Susanm@cybertrails.com
New Horizons I.L.C., Prescott Valley, AZ: 800-406-2377