As many as 1 in 4 people live with disabilities in the US and the population only continues to grow. Increasing disabled leadership will better ensure the field meets the housing needs of the over 61 million people with disabilities. This article serves as a resource for housing organizations that want to increase the participation and leadership of people with disabilities within their work, as well as a resource for leaders with disabilities who seek to engage in the housing field.

Disabled people living in households across the United States are experiencing disproportionate rates of housing insecurity due to a unique set of barriers and federal assistance programs are failing to meet their needs. The Kelsey and Urban Institute are proud to release this national needs assessment that quantifies the number of disabled people impacted by barriers of housing affordability, accessibility, and service-enriched, quality community-based housing. From the 2021 Current Population Survey, the research explores the current characteristics and living situations of housed disabled people, as well as their ability to access federal housing assistance and other support programs.

Federal policy changes can increase the supply of disability-forward housing. These supply-focused recommendations cover a range of programs and funding structures, from vouchers to tax credits. Advocates can share these policy recommendations with their members of Congress, along with their own stories about how these changes would impact their lives and community.

Understanding policy frameworks and strategies will make you a stronger disability housing advocate. Consider the strength of our collective power as a disability-forward movement if we stood in unison by advocating to the same audience with the same proposed interventions or asks. It’s time to organize our shared policy agenda and claim the power that unity will undoubtedly bring.

26% of people have a disability, yet it’s estimated that less than 6% of the national housing supply is designed to be accessible. The Housing Design Standards for Accessibility and Inclusion consist of over 300 Elements, which reflect design operations and choices that include development strategies, building features, or operational policies that support accessibility and inclusion. The Design Standards organize elements by Design Categories, Impact Areas, and Additional Benefits. Click to download the standards and a self-certification tool.

This piece comes from a series of articles from the Raise the Roof training program for leaders with disabilities who want to learn how housing gets built. This article covers some of the basics of housing policy, including defining housing production, preservation and protection. It also discusses zoning and fair housing. This is a great primer for any advocate who is new to housing policy.

A home's level of accessibility affects each person’s ability to live healthy, meaningful lives. As disability-forward housing advocates, it is important to understand how housing is designed and how it is made accessible. Key topics include: how housing is designed, Building Codes, building codes and the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Universal Design, and Human-centered design.

Where someone lives impacts their ability to stay healthy and receive supports. As housing advocates, developers, and policymakers it’s important to understand the basics of housing-related services and how housing impacts health, especially when advocating for and developing housing for people with disabilities.

The housing affordability crisis continues to impact communities across the country and it is our job, as disability housing advocates, to stay informed, engaged and ready to spring into action when needed. There are key terms used in the housing industry that are essential for any disability advocate to learn and understand. Read about these terms, their meaning in housing and why this content is mandatory for anyone fighting for disability-forward housing.

Many people believe in stereotypes and misguided myths about people with disabilities generally, not to mention their housing needs. We seek to bust these myths by unpacking, deconstructing then educating about the truth behind disability housing. Replace the stereotypes and misconceptions with facts about the realities faced by people with disabilities in housing.