Prerelease Notice
National Council on Disability
2008 Housing Initiative

May 6, 2008 – Initial Prerelease Announcement of Funding Opportunity

Funding Opportunity for a Cooperative Agreement:  NCD 08-02

Application materials will be made available on May 20, 2008 at www.ncd.gov

You can also request applications by writing to:

Joan Durocher
National Council on Disability
1331 F Street, NW, Suite 850
Washington, DC  20004

Or by e-mail request at:  jdurocher@ncd.gov

Applications will be due on July 1, 2008

Maximum amount available for this project:  $100,000

All potential applicants are eligible to apply

Cost sharing is not required

Project Overview:

NCD will undertake a comprehensive study of the state of housing in America in the 21st century. This evaluation will focus on: (1) public laws, policies and program initiatives that affect housing opportunities for Americans with disabilities, as well as others who have accessible housing needs, e.g. the aging population and those who acquire temporary disabilities; and (2) housing, supports, and other benefits provided available through the public and non-profit and/or private sectors. The purpose is to determine whether, and to what extent, public and non-profit and private housing and related programs have provided adequate, affordable, and accessible housing for Americans with disabilities as well as others who have accessibility needs, like the aging population and those who acquire temporary disabilities. 

This research will identify and review current practices and policies at the local, state, national level, and international level with an emphasis on those policies that appear to be innovative and successful and will result in a major report consisting of a series of topical briefs on several housing-related issues.  The report will be formatted as a standard NCD report with an executive summary - but each topical brief will be a substantive stand alone document in its own right that can be shared with stakeholders on specific issues.  A cohesive, final report will incorporate the findings and conclusions that can be drawn from the topical examinations, and include recommendations for advancing the attainment of accessible and affordable housing. 

Guidance for this project will involve an expert committee that will provide advice on the foci, design, and evaluation of the key issues. Committee membership may include: individuals with disabilities, members of the public/non-profit/private sectors, academics, planners and architects, banking and financial experts as well as other interested members of the disability research and advocacy communities to harness the breadth of expertise that exists within the disability community (as well as the aging community, many of whom will acquire disabilities). The expert panel will provide input and oversight throughout the length of the research project.  Selected panel members will author selected topical briefs that form the major portion of the deliverables for this project.  The expert panel will play an active role in developing policy recommendations that can be implemented in the private sector, the public sector, or as a combined effort. 

Each topical brief is expected to incorporate an assessment, if appropriate, of how the particular topic under review has addressed, if at all, universal design in housing as well as other promising practices.  Each topical brief is also expected to include an evaluation of promising practices from other mature countries, for example the United Kingdom and Canada, including how those countries have dealt with the aging population with respect to housing-related issues.