The Federal Section 811 Programs: Two Paths to Community-Based Supportive Housing for People with Disabilities

This study compares the development outcomes of two federal supportive housing programs for people with disabilities: the Section 811 Project Rental Assistance Contract (PRAC) and Project Rental Assistance (PRA) demonstration. We document significant differences in the types of community-based housing options these programs have produced. PRAC primarily produces disability-only housing in higher-opportunity neighborhoods. PRA mostly embeds units within larger mixed-population buildings, likely due to its reliance on Low-Income Housing Tax Credits. Rather than viewing one program as superior, we argue they operate as complements and that people with disabilities should be allowed to choose between the distinct housing options they provide.