Housing types for special needs populations include transitional housing and single-room occupancy (SRO) units.

Single Room Occupancy (SRO)

What is an SRO? An SRO is a residential building that provides a small private room intended for one individual. Each room is usually furnished with a bed, chair, and space for clothing storage. Sometimes, a desk, sink, small refrigerator and/or microwave may also be provided. Common or shared spaces are usually bathrooms, living rooms, kitchens, laundry facilities, and at times, meeting rooms. Although once a common form of housing, SROs have largely disappeared. (adapted from HUD summary)

Funding

§ HUD Section 8 Rehab for SROs Recognizing that the need for affordable, basic housing was increasing, particularly for single, very low-income individuals, Congress, as part of the McKinney Act, moved to reinvigorate the provision of SROs as one viable alternative to homelessness.

§ HUD's SRO (Single Room Occupancy) Program provides rental assistance for homeless persons in connection with moderate SRO rehabilitation. Under the program, HUD enters into Annual Contributions Contracts with public housing agencies (PHAs) in connection with rehabilitation of residential properties that will contain multiple SRO units. These PHAs make Section 8 rental assistance payments to participating property owners on behalf of homeless individuals who rent the rehabilitated dwellings.

Examples

§ SROs in Fairfax County, VA  Summary of Fairfax County's efforts to provide SRO housing for its residents.

§ Abraham Plaza, Bronx NY This six-story newly constructed building was developed as an SRO building of fifty- three studio units that serve as permanent housing for individuals who are homeless or those with a history of drug dependency. Thirty-two of the apartments have been reserved for homeless individuals and have Section 8 rental subsidies available. Twenty-one units in the building have been reserved for low-income individuals. The building also contains amenities such as a community room, library/learning center, tenant lounges on each individual floor, a laundry room and an outdoor garden.

§ Las Hacienda, Indio, CA This project involved remodeling an existing building and constructing 32 SRO units for patients of the County Mental Health Facility.

§ Colorado Court, Santa Monica, CA  The program for this SRO housing project includes 44 SRO units (375 square feet max per unit), a community room, mail room, outdoor common courtyard spaces, covered parking for 20 cars and bike storage. This project also is one of the first buildings of its type in the United States that is 100% energy independent.

Transitional Housing   

Transitional housing is one type of supportive housing used to facilitate the movement of homeless individuals and families to permanent housing. Generally it is housing in which homeless persons live for up to 2 years and receive supportive services that enable them to live more independently.

Funding

§ HUD's Supportive Housing Program

§ City of Orlando HOPWA funds

§ Other sources can be found through the search function at grants.gov

Examples

§ The Center for Affordable Housing, Sanford, FL transitional housing program

§ Lisa Merlin House is a transitional living facility for females recovering from alcoholism and substance abuse as well as physical, sexual, and emotional abuse.

§ Covenant House transitional housing for children