Courtesy https://www.flickr.com/photos/tracy_olson/
Courtesy https://www.flickr.com/photos/tracy_olson/

CHICAGO (AP) — Federal housing officials have earmarked more than $6.4 million to provide rental assistance to extremely low-income Illinois residents with disabilities.

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development says the money will help people avoid living in an institution or becoming homeless.

As part of the program, the Illinois Housing Development Authority will provide permanent affordable rental housing and support services to 200 people, many of whom are transitioning out of institutional settings.

Recipients must have a disability and earn less than 30 percent of their area’s median income.

HUD Secretary Julian Castro says the goal is to help people who require community-based, long-term care services to live independently while also helping cut state health care costs.

 

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