Looking for information on what exactly affordable housing is, including how to obtain and/or advocate for affordable housing in your community?  If so, you have come to the right place.

This Affordable Housing Primer is designed to provide important basic information and resources that individuals, particularly persons with disabilities, their advocates, families, and service providers, can use to increase understanding of the housing system and help meet their needs.

The Primer is organized by sections.  Clicking on any of the links below will take you to a page where you can download that particular section in .PDF format, large-print format, and plain text format (we hope to soon have a Spanish version available).  Each page will also have links to organizations and programs mentioned within that section.

If you would like a hard-copy or Braille version of this Affordable Housing Primer, or have any questions, please contact us.

• Table of Contents - Introduction
  
• Chapter 1: What is Affordable Housing?  This chapter defines the terms affordable and supportive housing, the need for advocating for more affordable housing, and important agencies associated with providing affordable housing.
  
• Chapter 2: Rental Housing  This chapter looks at rental housing as an affordable housing option, how to access affordable rental housing, being a good tenant, and describes the major subsidized housing programs.
  
• Chapter 3: Fair Housing Basics  This chapter focuses on reasonable accommodations and modifications, and fair housing laws.
  
• Chapter 4: Homeownership  This chapter looks at homeownership as an affordable housing option, how to know if you are ready to buy a home, first-time home buyer programs, the Section 8 Homeownership program, Habitat for Humanity, Individual Development Accounts, buying a manufactured home, and programs that can help you stay in your home.
  
• Chapter 5: Affecting Housing Policy  This chapter describes how to positively affect affordable housing policy, and focuses on public awareness campaigns, housing needs assessments, how to advocate for housing policy, and opportunities for advocacy.
  
• Appendices