Section 811

Overview

The evaluation of the Section 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA) program is assessing the implementation and effectiveness of this new model of housing assistance for extremely low-income nonelderly adults with disabilities, authorized by the Frank Melville Supportive Housing Investment Act of 2010. The PRA program awards grants to state housing agencies to provide rental assistance for apartments in affordable multifamily properties, where no more than 25 percent of the units are occupied by people with disabilities. State housing agencies must work in partnership with state health and human services and Medicaid agencies, which are responsible for identifying individuals eligible to reside in PRA-subsidized units and for providing voluntary services and supports directly to residents. HUD had two grant competitions, in fiscal years 2012 and 2013–2014, and awarded $229 million to 27 state housing agencies for an estimated 6,000 PRA units.

HUD implemented the evaluation of the Section 811 PRA program in phases. Phase I was focused on the initial 18 months of program implementation and included a Process Evaluation and six Case Studies. Phase II assessed the Implementation and Short-Term Outcomes. The Phase II Evaluation Final Report assessed outcomes and effectiveness of the PRA program and compared the results to outcomes for similar populations living in other federally assisted and not assisted housing settings. For additional information, please contact Teresa Souza at teresa.souza@hud.gov.

Implementation and Short-Term Outcomes

This report presents the results of the Phase II Evaluation of the Section 811 Project Rental Assistance (PRA) program, focused on the implementation and short-term outcomes of the program. The study sought to determine the impact of the program on residents’ housing tenancy and use of home and community-based services, the characteristics of properties and neighborhoods where assisted residents live, and residents’ healthcare diagnoses and utilization. In order to assess the program’s effectiveness, the study compared short-term outcomes of the PRA program against outcomes for similar residents in other HUD programs and against outcomes for Medicaid beneficiaries who are not assisted by HUD. The study was focused on six states that had the largest number of PRA residents when the evaluation’s research design was finalized: California, Delaware, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, and Washington.

Access the Implementation and Short-Term Outcomes Report here, and the executive summary here.

Process Evaluation

This report presents the results of a process evaluation of 12 states’ experiences implementing the Section 811 Project Rental Assistance program. It focuses on the initial 18 months of program implementation (January 2015 through June 2016) and analyzes differences in program design, target population, and housing and service strategies. The overarching research questions include an assessment of the following aspects of program implementation: characteristics of the partnerships between state housing and health and human services and Medicaid agencies; property and unit selection strategies and initial results; target population outreach, referral approaches, and initial results; supportive services availability; and major implementation challenges and successes.

Download the Process Evaluation

Case Studies

This report presents case studies of 6 states’ early experiences implementing the Section 811 Project Rental Assistance program. California, Louisiana, Maryland, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, and Washington were selected based on program design features, geographic distribution, and progress toward contracting and leasing units by the summer of 2015, when the evaluation’s design phase concluded. The overarching research questions include an assessment of the housing and service context for the design and implementation of the PRA program in the state, the state’s Olmstead plan or settlement agreement (if applicable) and plan to end homelessness, and the challenges and successes in the state of leasing up PRA units and providing services and supports.

Download the Case Studies