Housing Innovations for Persons with Developmental Disabilities Program
The Housing Innovations for Persons with Developmental Disabilities (HIPDD) funding Program was created in 2003 to expand the affordable housing options that are available for persons with developmental disabilities in King County. The goal of the program is to fund affordable housing projects that integrate people with developmental disabilities into communities and that help people to live a higher quality of life. In 2005, the program focus for the funds is the HIPDD Multi-Family Housing Program.
HIPDD- Multi-Family Housing Program
The HIPDD Multi-Family Housing Program awards capital funds to nonprofit developers of affordable housing in Seattle and King County. These funds will be awarded to projects that include units that are set-aside for persons with developmental disabilities. These units will be available to adults with disabilities and families with children with disabilities who are enrolled to receive services through the DSHS Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD). The program is designed to encourage housing providers who have not traditionally served persons with DD.
2005 HIPDD Multi-Family Program funds will be awarded through Seattle Office of Housing Notice of Funding Availability and the King County Housing Finance Program Request for Proposal application processes.
2005 HIPDD Program Guidelines
- Eligible Persons: Households with incomes at or below 50% of area median income with one or more member who receives services through the Washington State Division of Developmental Disabilities (DDD).
Persons who are eligible to receive services through DDD are individuals who have a developmental disability that appeared before the age of 18, and who, as a result, have a substantial handicap that is expected to continue indefinitely. Developmental disabilities include mental retardation, developmental delay, cerebral palsy, epilepsy, autism, and other neurological conditions, including conditions similar to mental retardation.
- HIPDD Set Aside Units: The set aside units should total no less than 2 units per project, and no more than 5 units for projects with 50 units or fewer, or no more than 10 units for projects with more than 50 units. Set aside units can be studio, 1, 2, 3 or 4 bedroom units. The set aside units should include a mix of unit sizes.
- Universal Design: Units supported with HIPDD funds will be required to include specific universal design features. A checklist of these universal design features is available upon request. The Center for Universal Design defines universal design as the design of products and environments to be usable by all people, to the greatest extent possible, without adaptation or specialized design. The intent of the universal design concept is to make housing usable by more people through good design.
- Maximum Subsidy Amount: The maximum subsidy amount is $50,000 per unit. Funds are available for:
- Additional capital subsidy to “buy down rents” from 30% to levels that are affordable for persons with DD by offsetting lost debt;
- Costs associated with making Universal Design additions or modifications;
- Capitalized Operating Reserves when not offsetting debt through capital subsidy.
- Rent Affordability: Rents levels for HIPDD funded units are: studios and 1 bedrooms at 16% median income; 2 bedrooms at 24% median income; 3 bedrooms at 30% of median income; and 4 bedrooms at 30% of median income.
- Proximity to Transportation: The HIPDD housing set aside units must be located within close proximity (less than ¼ of a mile) from a regular, weekday bus route.
- Proximity to Services: The HIPDD multi-family housing set aside units must be located within close proximity (less than 1 mile) to shopping and amenities.
- Referral Agreements: Owners receiving HIPDD funds shall enter into a Housing Referral Agreement with DDD that outlines the mutual responsibilities of each party. DDD will provide assurance that people referred into housing will have the necessary supports to live successfully in the community.
HIPDD Multi-Family Housing Program funds are available through:
- Seattle Office of Housing – Notice of Funding Availability (external)
- King County Housing Finance Program – Request for Proposals
For more information contact:
Karl Tegenfeldt
Housing Coordinator, King County DDD