Title
Authorizing Council's Committee on the Disabled and Special Needs to hold public hearings regarding the state of housing in Philadelphia for people with physical, psychiatric, sensory, intellectual and developmental disabilities.
Body
WHEREAS, Independence and integration are among the most important values and goals shared by people with disabilities, their families and advocates. A home of one's own, either rented or owned, is the cornerstone of independence for people with disabilities; and
WHEREAS, When a person with a disability has a decent, safe and affordable home, then he or she has the opportunity to become part of the community. With stable housing, people with disabilities are able to achieve other important life goals, including education, job training, and employment; and
WHEREAS, Across the United States people with disabilities, face a severe housing crisis. This crisis is due to several factors including: affordability, accessibility, aging caregivers, housing discrimination and availability; and
WHEREAS, The affordability gap for people with disabilities has exponentially worsened in recent years. Over 4.8 million non-institutionalized Americans with disabilities who rely on federal monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) have incomes less than $8,700 per year, low enough to be priced out of every rental housing market in the nation. In 2012, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment was $758 per month - or 104% of the national average monthly SSI income for beneficiaries living independently. Because of their limited incomes, people with disabilities need more rent subsidy funding and down-payment assistance than low-income working families; and
WHEREAS, An accessible home offers specific features or technologies to accommodate people with disabilities, such as lowered kitchen counters and sinks, widened doorways, wheel-in showers, raised electrical outlets, and smoke alarms with flashing strobe lights. For peopl...
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