Special Needs Housing: Housing for Persons with Special Needs

Alaska Housing Finance Corporation:
Beyond the Bars

Per Alaska Department of Corrections (DOC), on any day, over 40% of their incarcerated population are living with a diagnosed mental illness and 80% are living with a substance use disorder. These individuals fall under the Alaska Mental Health Trust's definition of a Trust Beneficiary. They tend to serve longer sentences and are more likely to be convicted of a felony. Partnering with DOC and the Trust, Alaska Housing has strengthened and launched programs to serve this population.

Connecticut Housing Finance Authority:
Building Community Through the Housing Authority Resident Program

For Connecticut’s 22,000 elderly and disabled housing authority residents, stable housing isn’t enough. Isolation, limited mobility, and shrinking budgets leave many without the programming that supports connection and dignity. HARP gives housing authorities of all sizes the flexible funding to change that, and the trust to decide how.​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​​

Georgia Department of Community Affairs/Georgia Housing and Finance Authority:
Supportive Housing Strategy: Academy, Institute, and Funding Alignment

The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) built out a Supportive Housing Pipeline that included Integrated Supportive Housing units and Single-Site Supportive Housing Units. In order to create this pipeline, DCA, through its partnership with the Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), launched a 5-month training program for stakeholders that resulted in viable, fundable project concepts. Additionally, DCA created a training program among agencies to maximize state resources.

Michigan State Housing Development Authority:
Recovery Housing Investment Program: Expanding Safe Housing for Michigan’s Recovery Community

The Michigan State Housing Development Authority's Recovery Housing Investment Program, delivered in partnership with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, expands quality, stable, substance free housing statewide. By funding acquisition, rehabilitation, and operations, the RHIP grant fills a critical gap, supports long term stability, and strengthens individuals and communities through innovative partnerships.

Ohio Housing Finance Agency:
Housing Reduces Recidivism: A Landlord Mitigation Claims Fund

Access to safe and affordable housing continues to be a cornerstone of recovery for individuals battling mental illnesses and substance use disorders. However, criminal backgrounds, past evictions, and poor rental histories due to illnesses can create a barrier to accessing housing. Landlords also see individuals with these backgrounds as a higher financial risk. The goal of the Landlord Mitigation Claims Fund is to reduce barriers to housing for individuals with mental health and substance use.

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency:
Built For Impact: Phfa’s Supportive Housing Model Pairs Affordable Housing With Lasting Support

Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency’s Tab 31 Supportive Housing Model is a forward‑thinking approach that encourage integrating supportive housing by avoiding restrictive mandates, offering flexible funding options and ensuring supportive services are fully integrated into PHFA’s Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program.

Virginia Housing:
Target Population Leasing Preference Program: Creating Priority Access to LIHTC Housing in Virginia

Virginia faces persistent gaps in access to integrated, affordable rental housing for vulnerable populations, especially individuals with disabilities and those with complex barriers to housing stability.