HUD's Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities program supports affordable, integrated housing for people with disabilities. It is not one nationwide application system.
Application routes vary by state, property, and program component. Some applicants contact a nonprofit property directly; others access Project Rental Assistance through a state housing agency, Medicaid partner, disability-service agency, or coordinated referral process.
People with disabilities may also qualify for the broader Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher program, including certain Non-Elderly Disabled voucher initiatives administered by PHAs.
What Section 811 does
Section 811 includes two main approaches:
- Capital advances and project rental assistance for nonprofit-developed housing
- Project Rental Assistance, commonly called PRA, supporting integrated units through state housing agencies and health or human-services partnerships
The goal is to provide affordable housing while allowing residents to access voluntary community-based services.
Who may qualify
Eligibility varies by component, but applicants generally must meet disability, age, and income requirements.
Section 811 commonly serves very-low-income or extremely-low-income people with disabilities. PRA programs often focus on nonelderly adults with disabilities, but exact age limits and target populations are set by the applicable program.
A disability alone does not guarantee eligibility or immediate placement.
Supportive services
Housing and services should be distinguished:
- The housing program provides an affordable unit or rental assistance.
- Health, personal care, transportation, case management, or other services may come from separate providers.
- Services vary and may be voluntary.
- A tenant should ask which services are available and whether they are required or separately funded.
Avoid describing every Section 811 property as having on-site healthcare or comprehensive support.
How rent works
In many Section 811-assisted units, the tenant's payment is income-based under applicable HUD rules. The precise calculation can depend on adjusted income, allowances, utility arrangements, and the assistance contract.
Ask the housing provider to explain the tenant rent and any separate charges.
How to find and apply for Section 811 housing
Start with:
- State housing finance agency
- State Medicaid or disability-services agency
- Local PHA
- Centers for Independent Living
- Aging and Disability Resource Centers
- Supportive-housing providers
- HUD Resource Locator
- RentAssistance.org's directory
Ask whether the program accepts direct applications or requires a referral.
Property-based application
For some Section 811 properties, contact the owner or management company, request the application, and ask about the waiting list.
State PRA referral
Some state PRA programs use designated referral partners and do not maintain a public walk-in list. A case manager, disability-service agency, Medicaid partner, or coordinated-entry system may make the referral.
Waiting lists and preferences
Availability is limited. Programs may prioritize particular populations, such as people transitioning from institutions, people experiencing homelessness, or people receiving specific community-based services.
Ask how applicants are selected, how to update contact information, and whether there is an appeal or reasonable-accommodation process.
Reasonable accommodations
Applicants and tenants with disabilities may request reasonable accommodations to rules, policies, practices, or services when needed because of a disability. Examples can include an alternative communication format, additional time to provide documents, or assistance completing an application.
A housing provider may request reliable disability-related information when the need is not obvious, but it generally should not demand unnecessary medical details.
Section 811 and other housing options
Also explore:
- Housing Choice Vouchers
- Non-Elderly Disabled vouchers
- Mainstream vouchers
- Public housing
- Project-based Section 8
- LIHTC properties with accessible units
- Permanent supportive housing
- State or local disability housing programs
Applying to multiple programs may be useful because Section 811 inventory is limited.
Frequently asked questions
Is Section 811 only for physical disabilities?
No. Programs may serve eligible people with physical, developmental, or serious mental-health disabilities, depending on the governing definition and target population.
Must I accept supportive services?
Section 811 is intended to support community living, but services and participation rules differ. Ask the specific program and service provider.
Does my local PHA administer every Section 811 unit?
No. Some units are managed by nonprofit owners or state PRA programs. The PHA may still help with referrals or other voucher options.
Can an older adult qualify?
Some components focus on nonelderly people with disabilities. Older adults should also explore Section 202, senior public housing, and other disability-accessible housing.
Official resources
- HUD Section 811 program
- HUD Resource Locator
- HUD Public Housing Agency contacts
- Centers for Independent Living directory
Find disability housing resources: Search programs near you.
Independent-site disclaimer: RentAssistance.org is an independent directory and informational website. It is not a government agency, Public Housing Agency, or HUD-affiliated organization. Program availability, eligibility rules, waiting-list status, and application procedures vary by location and may change. Confirm details directly with the administering agency before applying.