Housing Choice Voucher Admissions Preference for the

DOJ Target Population - 32 Vouchers Available

The Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Services (DBHDS) has been notified
by the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA) that it has received approval from the
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to implement a special admissions
preference for the DOJ target population1 within its Housing Choice Voucher program (formerly
known as Section 8).
VHDA has set aside 32 housing choice vouchers for eligible individuals in Virginia. A rental
housing subsidy is paid to the landlord on behalf of the participating family. The family then
pays the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized
by the program
DBHDS is currently accepting referrals from ID or DD Support Coordinators, Community
Integration Managers or Centers for Independent Living for individuals who are included in the
DOJ target population and who can move into their own rental housing within 60 days of
receiving a voucher. Referral forms may be downloaded from the DBHDS website via the
following link: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/professionals-and-serviceproviders/developmental-disability-services-for-providers/community-support-services
VHDA has received approval to make 32 Housing Choice Vouchers available immediately for
individuals with I/DD that are referred by DBHDS. Unlike many other Housing Choice Voucher
Programs, individuals that are referred by DBHDS will not have to put their name on a waiting
list and go through the standard process, which could take a year or more.

Individuals with developmental disabilities who are included in the target population under the Commonwealths
Settlement Agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice [United States V. Commonwealth of Virginia, United
States District Court for Eastern District of Virginia (Civil Action No. 3:12 CV 059)] are as follows: (1) individuals
currently reside at any of the Commonwealths training centers, (2) individuals that meet the criteria for the
Intellectual Disability (ID) waiver or Developmental Disability (DD) waiver wait lists (includes individuals who
currently have an ID or DD waiver), or (3) individuals who currently reside in a nursing home or ICF-IDD.

DBHDS will allocate referral slots on a first come, first served basis across each of the
Commonwealths Health Planning Regions according to the schedule below; until January 16,
2015. After January 16, 2015, all referrals to VHDA will be made on a first come, first served
basis statewide.
Health Planning Region 1: 7 slots
Health Planning Region 2: 6 slots
Health Planning Region 3: 7 slots
Health Planning Region 4: 6 slots
Health Planning Region 5: 6 slots
DBHDS plans to maintain a referral list of approximately 90 individuals. Eligible individuals will
be moved up on the list as referrals are made to VHDA at the onset of this initiative or via
program turnover. If DBHDS receives more than 90 referrals, those referrals will also be
tracked to gauge potential demand for additional housing resources, as they become available.
Individuals must reside in legal dwelling units that contain a full kitchen and bathroom. Units
may be in a multi-family apartment building, a single family home (e.g., a 2 BR house), etc.
Referrals will not be made for individuals who desire to live in any of the following settings:

group home,
boarding house,
rooms for rent, or
rental housing shared by more than 3 people with a disability.

For additional information, please download the FAQ document from the DBHDS website via the
following link: http://www.dbhds.virginia.gov/professionals-and-service-providers/developmentaldisability-services-for-providers/community-support-services.

You may also email Eric Leabough, DBHDS Housing Specialist, at:
eric.leabough@dbhds.virginia.gov.