In a strong show of support for affordable housing, thirty-seven U.S. senators have signed on to Senator Jack Reed’s (RI) “Dear Colleague” letter, urging full and increased funding for key federal housing programs for older adults and people with disabilities.
This letter, co-signed by leaders including Senators Durbin, Coons, Schatz, Murphy, and Van Hollen, asks Congress to fully fund and expand several housing programs in the upcoming 2026 federal budget. These programs include Section 202 Housing for the Elderly, Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities, Mainstream Vouchers, and Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Vouchers.
The Senators’ letter specifically calls for:
- Full funding to cover all renewals for Mainstream Vouchers, NED Vouchers, and Section 811 Project Rental Assistance
- $500 million for new Mainstream Vouchers, which would assist 50,000 more disabled households
- $424 million for new Section 811 PRA awards, which would enable every state and territory to receive 811 funds
- Full funding for contract renewals and increased funding for Section 202 and other critical requests to preserve existing homes, improve service coordination, and secure additional rental assistance support for older adults
We partnered with Leading Age and fellow co-chairs of the Consortium for Constituents with Disabilities Housing Task Force—the Autistic Self Advocacy Network and Justice in Aging—to help gather even more signatories for this letter. This collaboration underscores the strength of working in coalition and the importance of united advocacy to ensure more people with disabilities and older adults can access the housing they need, in the community they choose.
Dear Colleague letters like this are critical tools for gathering Congressional support and shaping budget decisions. As Congress works to pass the fiscal year 2026 budget, this letter sends a clear and powerful message: housing for older adults and people with disabilities must be fully funded and expanded.
How Can I Get Involved?
Join us in advocating directly to your member of Congress to ensure they support the housing and services that disabled people need to live and thrive in their own homes and communities.