Priced Out of Housing in Loudoun
People disabled by mental illnesses are priced out of housing in Loudoun County. The average cost of a 1 bedroom apartment in Loudoun County is $1,050 per month. If you are disabled and can’t work and earn money, it will take 160% of your monthly $674 SSI allotment just to keep a roof over your head.
Imagine, if you will, how you would pay for food, clothing, medicines or transportation. It can’t be done!!
Through a 2009—2010 CSBG Grant entitled Limited Rental and Utility Assistance Program for Individuals With Disabilities, Friends of Loudoun Mental Health and the ARC of Loudoun formed a collaborative partnership to help prevent eviction and homelessness among people living in poverty in Loudoun County.
For eligibility criteria, who to contact for help and to read the full press release, please click, More Information Across the United States in 2008, people with disabilities with the lowest incomes faced an extreme housing affordability crisis as rents for moderately priced studio and one-bedroom apartments soared above their entire monthly income. This crisis is documented in Priced Out in 2008 — a study of the severe housing affordability problems of people with disabilities who must survive on incomes far below the federal poverty line.
“Living
in and being a member of one’s community requires housing. Decent,
safe, affordable, and accessible housing is the foundation of inclusive
communities. Living in a community leads to education, employment,
relationships, and active participation.” To read Priced Out in 2008: the Housing Crisis for People with Disabilities, click here.
Wounded Warrior Program Addresses Needs of Veterans and Families
Loudoun County has been awarded one of the Commonwealth’s Wounded Warrior grants. In response to the growing need to improve and expand services to our nation’s veterans and service members, the Commonwealth of Virginia established the Virginia Wounded Warrior Program (VWWP) in 2008. It is operated by the Virginia Department of Veterans Services in cooperation with the Department of Behavioral Health and Development Services, and the Department of Rehabilitative Services.
The VWWP supports the following persons on their road to recovery from the effects of stress‐related injuries (such as post traumatic stress disorder) or traumatic brain injuries:
- Veterans of any era who are Virginia residents
- Members of the Virginia National Guard not in active federal service
- Virginia residents in the Armed Forces Reserves not in active federal service
- Family members of veterans and service members More information
And the winner is……….
Friends of Loudoun Mental Health’s raffle winner Julia Buchen of Leesburg, Virginia accepts tickets from Judy Hines for four seats in a luxury suite for the Nationals August 23 game with the Milwaukee Brewers. She will share her big win with her husband, Mark, who is an umpire, coach and board member of the Central Loudoun Little League, and her two sons, Grant (10 years old) and Adam (8) – both enthusiastic Little League players and followers of the Nats.
Ray Pollard, pictured with Friends’ Board member Charlie Little and Larry Matheny of Loudoun County‘s Supported Living Services, picked Julia’s winning raffle ticket on August 17 in Purcellville. Ray lives at Loudoun County’s group home in Purcellville, where Charlie and other members of St. Peter’s Episcopal Church take part in activities and events organized to enjoy the company of their group home neighbors. More information
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Play Ball!!!
Friends Benefit at Nationals Park Beers + Cutler, industry experts providing tax, assurance and consulting services, donated four skybox seats for the August 23rd game at Nationals Park. Friends turned this unique and fun donation into a fund raising raffle with only 250 tickets available for sale. Great odds for a good cause! Bradley Nicklin, partner with Beers + Cutler, says “Having a roof over your head is critical to a person’s basic survival. This essential need is even more compelling when you imagine a person trying to live on a disability payment of only $650 a month…..you can’t do it in Loudoun County! More...
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