In November 2012, the North Carolina Housing Coalition (NCHC), an NLIHC state coalition partner, recommended that affordable housing programs be strengthened and supported to create integrated housing opportunities for adults with mental health disabilities. These recommendations, presented to a state-appointed Blue Ribbon Commission on Transitions to Community Living, come as North Carolina develops a new tenant-based rental assistance program (TBRA) to provide housing for individuals unnecessarily segregated in, or at risk of entry into, adult care facilities. Disability Rights North Carolina filed a complaint against the state in 2010, claiming it unnecessarily institutionalized people with mental health disabilities who otherwise could have lived successfully in a community setting. The U.S. Department of Justice determined that North Carolina violated Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act and the Olmstead Decision. A settlement agreement requires the state to provide community-based services and housing that enable individuals to live, work, and participate fully in community life (see Memo, 8/24/12). By July 2020, the state must provide at least 3,000 housing slots—housing vouchers, rental subsidies, tenancy supports and transition support—so that people with mental illness can transition to community-based supportive housing. It also must ensure that those at risk of entering adult care homes will be offered supportive housing in the community. The housing must be permanent, provide tenancy rights where residents have access to support services, and allow the opportunity for tenants to interact with people without disabilities. Further, the agreement requires wrap-around services that help individuals transition to and remain in a community setting, including assertive community treatment, community support teams, case management, peer support services and psychosocial rehabilitation services. Following passage of North Carolina’s 2012 budget, the commission, composed of state legislators and members of the public, began to consider ways to advance the requirements of the settlement agreement. NCHC and the North Carolina Coalition to End Homelessness, also an NLIHC state coalition partner, closely monitored the commission’s housing subcommittee, which is responsible for recommendations related to the agreement’s housing components. NCHC requested and received permission to present its own recommendations to the housing subcommittee to ensure that advocates’ voices were heard. It strongly encouraged the support and expansion of existing state housing resources, and asserted that the creation of TBRA must not result in the reduction or elimination of existing housing programs. NCHC supported making the state Housing Tax Credit program permanent by removing its sunset, providing robust funding for the state Housing Trust Fund, targeting funds through the state’s Key Program to expand Department of Health and Human Services housing specialist staff, and strengthening a state housing search tool that connects potential residents with affordable and available units. NCHC also suggested that the new TBRA include a strong referral and support service system, be attractive to private landlords, and include a clear and timely payment process and consistent point of contact with a housing specialist or service provider. Raising the visibility of DHHS’ Office of Housing and Homelessness was underscored, as was ensuring that adequate funding is available to support proper staffing at all levels. Advocates were pleased that commission included many of their recommendations in its final report, which it will submit to the state General Assembly. NCHC expects that the commission’s final recommendations will be converted into legislation during the 2013 legislative session. Advocates will continue to work with DHHS on the implementation of TBRA. “We are pleased to see the North Carolina General Assembly taking an active role in ensuring that individuals with mental illness are able to live more independently in community-based settings,” said Carley Ruff, NCHC’s policy and outreach coordinator. “We will continue to monitor the process and make sure that affordable housing advocates continue to have a prominent seat at the table.” For more information, contact Carley Ruff at [email protected].