STIC has Housing Specialists on staff to assist seniors and people with disabilities find housing. Housing Specialists from the Olmstead Housing Subsidy (OHS) and the Rapid Transition Housing Program (RTHP) help participants find accessible, safe, and affordable housing to live independently in their community.
Olmstead Housing Subsidy
Eligibility
Housing Specialists with the Olmstead Housing Subsidy (OHS) are available to assist participants, who have Medicaid, are 55 and older or 18 and older with a documented chronic disability. OHS is intended to help high-needs Medicaid recipients that have lived in a nursing home for 120 days and are homeless.
Housing Specialists assist people with enrollment in the Olmstead Housing Subsidy Program; serve as a liaison with landlords; conduct inspections of rental units to ensure health and safety; and hold monthly calls with all participants.
Other Relevant Information
Participants pay 30 percent of their monthly income toward rent for an apartment. If participants qualify; additional funding could be available for security deposits, moving expenses, and basic household furnishings.
The Olmstead Housing Subsidy is funded by the New York State Department of Health and administered by the New York Association on Independent Living, with services provided by specialists at independent living centers across the state, such as STIC.
Rapid Transition Housing Program (RTHP) Specialists are available to assist participants receiving Medicaid; and have one or more documented physical disability, and two or more chronic conditions (e.g., asthma, diabetes). All participants must fit in the category of being unstably housed/or homeless, and high utilizers of Medicaid.
Referrals are to be made by Hospitals, Managed Care Organizations, Medical Respites, Performing Provider Systems, or a Skilled Nursing Facility.
Other Relevant Information
Rapid Transition Housing Specialists assist individuals with the eligibility process, locating and subsidizing housing units; and obtaining services necessary to support successful living in the community.
Community Transition Services (CTS) are available, on a case by case basis, to assist with security deposits, moving expenses, startup utility payments, and household furnishings/items.
The Rapid Transition Housing Program is funded by the Department of Health (DOH) and administered by New York Association on Independent Living (NYAIL). Direct program services are provided by Southern Tier Independent Center (STIC); and other Independent Living Centers (ILC) across the New York State.
