Being homeless is difficult. Living with a disability makes it even harder. You may need medical care, assistance with daily tasks, or a safe place that accommodates your needs. The good news is that there are programs in the United States designed to help people in your situation find stable housing and receive support.
You can find housing through federal programs such as HUD’s Section 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities, Continuum of Care (CoC) shelters, and local agencies funded by the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). These programs offer rental assistance, support services, and permanent housing options designed for people with disabilities who are experiencing homelessness.
Let’s know more about how you can easily find housing options as a homeless disabled person.
Immediate Emergency Housing Assistance for Disabled
Dial 2-1-1
Call 211 or visit 211.org; this toll-free line connects you with emergency shelters, transitional housing, and programs specifically for people with disabilities in your area. This is the fastest way to find local shelters and emergency resources. Callers can press 6 to access services specifically for people experiencing homelessness.
Coordinated Entry (CE)
Coordinated Entry (CE) is the single point of access for homeless individuals and families to access housing resources, such as Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH), which is designed specifically for people with disabilities. In Georgia, the Department of Community Affairs (DCA) manages this process to ensure that those with the greatest needs are prioritized for available beds.
How Coordinated Entry Works for You
The process follows four main steps to match you with the appropriate housing:
- You contact a local entry point (such as a shelter, a day center, or via the Georgia DCA Homeless Assistance Line at 844-249-8369).
- A trained staff member uses a standardized tool (often the VI-SPDAT) to assess your health, disability status, and history of homelessness.
- Based on your assessment, you are placed in a “Community Queue.” Since you have a disability and are experiencing homelessness, you are prioritized for long-term programs, such as PSH.
- When a vacancy opens up in a program that meets your needs (for example, a unit with physical accessibility features), the system refers you directly to that housing provider.
Find your local entry point through 2-1-1 or the HUD website. Then, complete a standardized interview regarding your health and housing history.
Shelter Finder Tool
To find housing for a person with a disability in the U.S. using HUD’s Shelter Finder Tool, follow these steps to connect with both immediate and long-term resources.
- Visit hud.gov/findshelter
- Enter your current zip code, city, or state in the search bar.
- Click on the Shelter icon to find immediate housing, or on Health Care to find clinics that can assist you with the disability documentation required for housing applications.
- Review the menu of nearby service providers. You can filter by keywords such as “disabled” or “accessible” to see if any specific agency meets your needs.
Specialized Housing Programs for the Disabled
Section 811 Supportive Housing
The Section 811 program is a federal initiative that provides rental assistance and supportive services to adults with disabilities and extremely low incomes. Unlike a standard housing voucher, which you present to a landlord, this assistance is project-based; this means the subsidy is tied to a specific unit within a participating apartment building.
Eligibility Requirements
To qualify for housing under Section 811, you must generally meet the following HUD criteria:
- Disability Status: At least one adult member of the household must have a documented physical, mental, or emotional disability that is expected to be long-term and that substantially impairs their ability to live independently.
- Age: You must be a “non-elderly” person, which is typically defined as being between 18 and 61 years of age at the time of admission.
- Income: Your household income must be “extremely low,” which generally means it is equal to or less than 30% of the Area Median Income (AMI) for your county.
- Service Eligibility: Often, you must be eligible to receive community-based long-term care services, such as those provided through Medicaid.
In many states, you cannot apply directly; you must be referred by a case manager, a social worker, or a qualified referral organization. Contact your state’s housing department (e.g., Georgia DCA, Texas TDHCA) to obtain a list of participating properties in your area.
Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH)
Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is a long-term intervention that combines affordable housing—without a time limit—with voluntary services to help individuals with disabilities achieve housing stability. Unlike temporary shelters, PSH offers a standard lease agreement and is designed to end chronic homelessness among individuals with significant health or behavioral needs.
You can access housing without preconditions, such as sobriety or mandatory enrollment in mental health services. Typically, tenants pay 30% of their adjusted monthly income to cover rent and utilities. Voluntary services—whether provided on-site or in the community—are available and include case management, physical and behavioral health care, and job training.
To qualify, at least one member of your household (whether an adult or a minor) must have a documented disability. Common eligibility requirements include:
- Disability Status: A diagnosed physical, developmental, or behavioral health condition (such as a serious mental illness or chronic substance use disorder). Homelessness Status: Most programs require that you be experiencing “literal homelessness” or “chronic homelessness” (having been homeless for 12 continuous months, or having experienced 4 or more episodes within a 3-year period).
- Income: Typically, household income must be equal to or less than 30% or 35% of the Area Median Income (AMI).
Contact a local shelter or social services agency, or call 2-1-1. You will undergo an interview using a tool such as the VI-SPDAT to determine your priority level based on your health and housing history. When a vacancy for Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) arises that meets your accessibility needs, the system will refer you directly to that housing placement.
Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) Vouchers
Non-Elderly Disabled (NED) vouchers are a specific type of Section 8 Housing Choice Voucher, reserved for families in which the head of household, spouse, or co-head of household is a person with a disability under the age of 62. These vouchers allow you to rent housing in the private market of your choice, provided it meets basic safety standards.
Typically, you pay about 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent and utilities, while the Public Housing Agency (PHA) pays the remainder directly to your landlord. Unlike project-based housing, you can choose an apartment, townhouse, or single-family home in the private market.
To qualify for an NED voucher, you must meet several federal requirements:
- Age: The disabled head of household or spouse must be between 18 and 61 years of age.
- Disability: You must have a documented physical, mental, or emotional impairment that is expected to be long-term and that hinders independent living.
- Income: Your household income generally cannot exceed 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI); furthermore, 75% of the vouchers are reserved for those whose income falls at or below 30% of the AMI.
- Excluded Households: These vouchers cannot be used if the only person with a disability in the household is a minor child.
Use HUD’s Public Housing Agency Directory to find agencies in your state and city. Not all PHAs offer specific NED vouchers. You should ask the agency whether they administer the NED Voucher Program or the Mainstream Voucher Program.
Empowerline
Empowerline™ is the designated “point of entry” for people with disabilities and older adults in the Atlanta metropolitan region, covering 10 counties. It functions as a single point of access—part of the Aging and Disability Resource Connection (ADRC) network—to help you navigate life changes and connect with over 26,000 community service providers.
Call (404) 463-3333 to speak with a certified counselor (Monday through Friday, 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.). Use the Empowerline Resource Search tool to independently explore their database, which contains thousands of providers.
Help for Homeless Veterans
HUD-VASH Vouchers
The HUD-VASH (HUD-Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing) program is a collaborative effort that provides permanent housing to homeless veterans by combining HUD’s Section 8 rental assistance with case management and clinical services from the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).
- Rental Assistance: Veterans receive a Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) to help pay the rent for a home in the private market.
- Affordability: Typically, you pay approximately 30% of your adjusted monthly income toward rent, and the program covers the remainder.
- Support Services: Ongoing case management provided by the VA helps you access healthcare, mental health treatment, and substance use counseling to ensure your long-term housing stability.
Call the National Call Center for Homeless Veterans at 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838). Speak with a Homeless Coordinator or a case manager at the nearest VA Medical Center (VAMC) or community clinic to complete an initial assessment.
Emergency Hotline
Homeless veterans can call 1-877-4AID-VET (1-877-424-3838) 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, to receive immediate assistance.
Tips Before Applying
Gather documentation in advance: identification, proof of disability, proof of income, and medical records.
Request case management: Many programs assign a social worker to help you navigate the application process.
Explore permanent supportive housing options: These combine long-term housing with social and health services.
Stay on waiting lists: Even if lists are full, remaining on the list ensures priority when vacancies arise.
Key Takeaway
If you are homeless and have a disability, start by exploring HUD’s Section 811 and CoC programs; additionally, contact 211 and reach out to local non-profit organizations for immediate shelter and long-term housing support. These resources are designed to help you secure safe, accessible, and permanent housing while receiving the care you need.
