Disabilities

Disabled individuals and families in federally assisted housing face multiple challenges in gaining access to housing units and services that meet their needs—despite legal frameworks meant to help them.

Created by the Older Americans Act in 1973, AAAs are part of the national Aging Network. AAAs are the local leaders that develop, coordinate, and deliver a wide range of home and community-based services.

As an Area Agency on Aging (AAA), AgeSpan engages in innovative partnerships with housing providers through the Massachusetts Supportive Housing Program (MSHP). Working with property managers at designated local housing sites, AgeSpan places staff as resident service coordinators (RSCs).

People with disabilities have a place to turn to find information on COVID-19. They can contact the Disability Information and Access Line (DIAL) to find vaccine locations, make appointments and arrange for transportation.

The Administration for Community Living’s Aging and Disability Network is a multifaceted service infrastructure for older adults and people with disabilities so they can find housing and obtain services like chore assistance, delivered meals, and transportation.

Trends in Housing Assistance and Who it Serves

Serious mental illness (SMI) is a disabling condition that develops early in life and imposes substantial economic burden. There is a growing belief that early intervention for SMI has lifelong benefits for patients.

High-need, high-cost (HNHC) individuals are defined as people of all ages living with clinically complex needs and functional limitations who also incur high health care costs or are likely to do so in the near future.

All too often technology is blamed for the obesity crisis which is currently affecting 1.9 billion adults and 31.5 million children across the globe. However, for individuals with mobility issues caused by their weight, technology is far from a hindrance.

As the population ages, one of the greatest challenges facing state officials is how to organize and pay for long-term services and supports (LTSS) for low-income elderly and disabled adults—the most complex, expensive, and fastest-growing group covered by Medicaid.