Page:United States Statutes at Large Volume 101 Part 3.djvu/559

 PUBLIC LAW 100-242—FEB. 5, 1988

101 STAT. 1857

adequately reflect the necessity for building designs to meet the needs of the designated residents; and (ii) do not recognize necessary State and local standards for the operation of such homes; (F) the use of the program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 to assist rentals for housing for nonelderly handicapped families is time consuming and unnecessarily costly and, in some areas of the Nation, prevents the development of such housing; (G) the use of the program under section 8 of the United States Housing Act of 1937 to assist rentals for housing for nonelderly handicapped families should be replaced by a more appropriate subsidy mechanism; (H) both elderly and handicapped housing projects assisted under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 will benefit from an increased emphasis on supportive services and a greater use of State and local funds; and (I) an improved program for nonelderly handicapped families will assist in providing shelter and supportive services for mentally ill persons who might otherwise be homeless. (2) The purpose of this section is to improve the direct loan program under section 202 of the Housing Act of 1959 to ensure that such program meets the special housing and related needs of nonelderly handicapped families, (b) HOUSING FOR HANDICAPPED FAMILIES.—

(1) Section 202(h) of the Housing Act of 1959 is amended to 12 USC I70lq. read as follows: "(h)(1) Of the amounts made available in appropriation Acts for Loans. loans under subsection (a)(4)(C) for any flscal year commencing after September 30, 1987, not less than 15 percent shall be available for loans for the development costs of housing for handicapped families. If the amount required for any such fiscal year for approvable applications for loan under this subsection is less than the amount available under this paragraph, the balance shall be made available for loans under other provisions of this section. "(2) The Secretary shall take such actions as may be necessary to ensure that— "(A) funds made available under this subsection will be used to support a variety of methods of meeting the needs primarily of nonelderly handicapped families by providing a variety of housing options, ranging from small group homes to independent living complexes; and "(B) housing for handicapped families assisted under this subsection will provide families occupying units in such housing with an assured range of services specified in subsection (f), will provide such families with opportunities for optimal independent living and participation in normal daily activities, and will facilitate access by such families to the community at large and to suitable employment opportunities within such community. "(3)(A) In allocating funds under this subsection, and in processing applications for loans under this section and assistance payments under paragraph (4), the Secretary shall adopt such distinct standards and procedures as the Secretary determines appropriate due to differences between housing for handicapped families and other housing assisted under this section. In adopting such standards, the Secretary shall ensure adequate participation by representatives of

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