Sept. 21st Deadline! Housing Subsidy Rule Changes!

Urgent Deadline Approaching! Housing Subsidy Rule Changes!

Our Coalition was heartened by OPWDD’s stated purpose for this ADM, that the “overarching premise of this Housing Subsidy program is to give people the ability to make their own choices and set their own goals when choosing where to live.”

Unfortunately, the current draft ADM simply does not deliver. While we celebrate the handful of improvements, this proposal will reduce options and eliminate choices. The draft effectively eliminates use of the subsidy for Provider Managed Housing, and explicitly prohibiting use of the housing subsidy by people who choose to live in campus-like settings. The proposal denies a housing subsidy to people who need 24/7 support, leaving them with few options despite detailing the self-determination rights of “all people, including those with developmental disabilities”.

Together We Can Fight Back

Public Comment on This Rule Change is Ending Monday Sept 21st. You must act now!  Our Community needs more housing options, not less.

Please take just a minutes or two to send an email to rau.unit@opwdd.ny.gov. You need to write “ADM #2026-02 OPWDD Housing Subsidy” in the subject line so OPWDD knows you’re writing about this issue. And please, we’d love you to CC: us on your email at info@c4sd.org to show our solidarity and to help organize our voice!

Most importantly, share your lived experience, your hopes for the future, and how it will all be impacted! , While you’re at it, we’d love you to include these suggestions for a more effective and individualized approach:

1. We believe that opportunities to live in the community should include campus settings, provider managed housing, and more. Unfortunately, the draft ADM does not support these options!
   ‍ ‍Ask OPWDD To - Expand the opportunity to live in these settings when supported by the renter’s statement that they understand and freely choose the living arrangement they’re requesting to have subsidized.

2. The draft’s failure to address routine delays in the initial subsidy payment creates an inequitable barrier to access. Many people simply can’t afford to pay rent for several months while waiting for an initial subsidy payment.
   ‍ ‍Ask OPWDD To - Implement a “provisional approval to pay” approach which empowers Fiscal Intermediaries to begin funding the subsidy upon presentation of a signed lease.

3. The policy explicitly excludes people with 24/7 support needs. This leaves many who would choose to live in a community setting with support with only more costly certified options.
   ‍ ‍ Ask OPWDD To - Develop a strategy that allows funding to follow the person. We believe that if someone can live by choice in the community at a cost equal to or less than that of a certified setting, we should protect their right to do so.

We’ll be hosting Town Hall discussions on Wednesday, September 16th at noon and -7:00 PM to continue to rally support around this critical issue.

Tap or Click Here to Learn More & How You Can Participate!

Tap or Click Here For Our Detailed Policy Position & Recommendations!