Affordable Housing Isn't Always Accessible Housing | Opinion

For millions of Americans with disabilities, affordable housing is not just about price and supply. In 2023, 3.14 million renter households with incomes below the very-low-income threshold included someone under 62 with a disability, according to the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. Of these households, 1.16 million faced significant housing issues without government assistance.

The physical supply of homes is also concerning. A 2015 HUD analysis suggested that only 4% of homes were suitable for people with mobility difficulties and fewer than 1% were wheelchair accessible. This reality challenges the notion of an "affordable home" that cannot be entered, navigated, or supports the needed connections to a community.

As co-founder and CEO of Individual Advocacy Group, the author has witnessed firsthand how housing deeply impacts every aspect of a person's life. A home is where routines are established, relationships are formed, employment is pursued, communities are participated in, and autonomy is exercised. The conversation around housing often focuses on counting units, calculating rents, and measuring supply, but it rarely asks whether the person who needs the housing can actually live there successfully.

Accessibility goes beyond physical modifications like ramps or wider doorways. People with disabilities may require various accommodations, such as zero-step entrances, accessible bathrooms, or sufficient space for wheelchair maneuverability. Someone with an intellectual or developmental disability might need predictable routines, appropriate sensory environments, supervision, communication support, transportation access, or proximity to needed services. A home may meet building standards but fail to accommodate the individual who lives there.

For people with complex support needs, finding a suitable apartment is often just the beginning. They may also require trained staff, case management, behavioral support, vocational assistance, or other community-based supports to achieve independent or supported living. This underscores the importance of a home that provides stability for developing a person's life.

While financial constraints can make finding a suitable home challenging, especially for those relying on limited Social Security income, Medicaid waiver programs can help fund essential services and supports. However, federal Medicaid rules generally do not allow Home and Community-Based Services (HCBS) waiver funds to cover ordinary room and board, creating a gap between eligibility and affordability.

The consequences of inadequate housing extend beyond an organization's financial situation. Families may be forced to make untenable choices, such as continuing to provide housing and care for adult children when they expected to stop. People may remain in unsuitable environments, or they may be placed in institutions far from their communities, losing more than just a housing unit.

The author believes that housing should be defined not only as shelter but as a place that allows a person to participate in their community. It should create opportunities rather than simply provide shelter. For people with disabilities, this might mean being close to transportation, employment, family, medical care, social activities, or the support professionals they rely on.

Policymakers should not only report the number of affordable units created but also assess how many are accessible. Developers should consider whether their homes accommodate different physical and cognitive needs. Communities should ensure that housing supply expands to include people with disabilities.