IRVINE : Forum to Focus on Housing for Disabled

Residents with physical and developmental disabilities searching for affordable housing can learn about the various assistance programs available at a community forum Wednesday at City Hall.

Housing specialists will talk about lower-cost, accessible housing available in Irvine and discuss the procedures needed to rent a unit, said Julie Anello of the city’s disability services program. The forum, the first of its kind in the city, was the idea of the Irvine Residents with Disabilities Advisory Board.

Accessible and affordable housing is one of the most difficult obstacles for a disabled person, Anello said.

Speakers at the forum will discuss housing made affordable through government loans to developers, federal Housing and Urban Development programs and Section 8 federally subsidized housing.

Many people looking for affordable housing have heard of those programs, but often don’t know what they mean or how to sign up for them, Anello said. Not only is each program different, but the programs often have a waiting list because of the high demand and low supply of affordable, accessible units, she said.

“You really do need to plan ahead for these units,” Anello said. “Our intent is to take the scare out of applying for these housing programs. It is a lot of work and people can get frustrated.”

Also at the forum will be a board member of the 40-unit Access Irvine project now under construction at Harvard Avenue and University Drive, and representatives from Project Independence, an independent living program for persons with developmental disabilities.

Access Irvine is being built exclusively for persons with physical disabilities. The forum will cover how to sign up to rent a unit, as well as the monthly rent and the cooperative living concept that unit will use, Anello said.

Project Independence trains the developmentally disabled to live on their own in shared situations by teaching them how to get to work, shop, cook, clean, wash clothing, balance checkbooks and perform other day-to-day tasks.

The forum will run from 7:15 to 9:30 p.m. in the Conference and Training Center on the first floor of City Hall. The room and building are wheelchair-accessible.