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Assistance varies widely from state to state so it is important to know which agencies make the housing decisions for your state.

Executive Housing Administration Office

Each state has an entity that performs the function of an executive housing administration office.

  • You will frequently see them referred to as “housing and community development” agencies.
  • These executive offices receive and administer federal housing funds from HUD for urban areas and the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) for rural areas, to develop and fund affordable housing. These executive offices may also receive state funding for the same purpose.
  • The housing services can range from state funded local housing authorities (LHA), rental voucher programs, and specialized mortgages for first time homebuyers or grants/mortgages to developers for low-income housing.
  • Some states offer home repair or modification grant/loan program, which could fund alterations for accessibility.

Housing Finance Administration Agency (HFA)

In addition to an executive housing administration office, states have a Housing Finance Administration agency (HFA), which functions as a quasi-public entity.
  • An HFA received both state and federal dollars to develop affordable housing (eligibility criteria is 80% Area Median Income [AMI]) programs.
  • The HFAs provide specialized mortgages for first-time home buyers and development capital such as loans and grants for mixed income developments with affordable units.
  • An HFA operates as a state housing bank. States will list their HFA on their website.

Housing Assistance From Other Agencies

It is advisable to contact the state agencies that serve persons with disabilities such as the Rehabilitation Commission, the Department of Mental Health, the Department of Developmental Disabilities, Department of Intellectual Limitations/Mental Retardation or the Department of Elder Affairs. Some of these agencies will have housing assistance for persons eligible for their services. Similar to PHAs, these agencies may have long waiting lists.

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