OPWDD Integrated Supportive Housing SFY 2017-2018 Application Submission Guidelines
Provider agencies interested in pursuing OPWDD funding associated with new integrated supportive housing projects are required to complete this application; this funding includes capital dollars, rent subsidies and/or service funding. This application process will enable OPWDD, providers and housing developers to comprehensively plan for development of new supportive housing projects and, for approved applications, to obtain timely commitments from OPWDD that are a required component of both the NYS Homes and Community Renewal (HCR) and the Housing Finance Agency (HFA) funding application processes.
Overview of Program The ISH program aligns with NYS’s initiatives to increase the number of affordable/supportive housing statewide. OPWDD’s Integrated Supportive Housing (ISH) program encourages and supports the development of new housing opportunities for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (I/DD) who can benefit from an independent, non-certified community-integrated residential setting. The OPWDD ISH program support includes financial development support coupled with rental subsidies and OPWDD supportive services once in operation. The ISH program began in 2012 through a partnership with NYS HCR. Through this partnership, developers of affordable housing opportunities receive application scoring incentives for partnering with an OPWDD provider agency (also known as the housing “Support Agency”) and giving tenant preference for people served by OPWDD (see the section later in this document, entitled “Role of the Provider as the Housing Support Agency” for more information). Under this program, OPWDD will provide funding for up to 25% of the total number of units which offer preference in tenant selection to individuals eligible to receive OPWDD services. OPWDD will provide financial support for up to half of the total development costs (TDC) for the units, less any commercial property development costs, with preference in tenant selection for individuals eligible to receive OPWDD services, as well as rental subsidies and OPWDD non-housing support services to the residents of these units. OPWDD ISH Program Requirements OPWDD requires that all projects supported under the ISH program comply with the following: Adhere to all state and federal laws and regulations pertaining to providing residential services to people with intellectual and developmental disabilities , including, but not limited to, Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Settings regulations and the requirements of The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Page 1 of 11