Housing for People with Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI)

The Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI) housing program is primarily a rental subsidy program, based on Federal Housing and Urban Development (HUD) fair market rent (FMR) costs. If a person is already in an apartment or home they may be able to maintain this residence and apply the subsidy. Participants may also receive assistance with utilities or other housing supports.

Eligibility | Models | How to Apply

Eligibility/Criteria

TBI Housing program is for individuals with traumatic brain injury or a related diagnosis. That is, an injury to the brain caused by an external physical force, resulting in total or partial functional disability and/or psychosocial impairment, that adversely affects a person’s life. For more information, visit NYS Brain Injury Association.

Individuals must:

1. Be 18-64 years old though injury could have occurred prior to the age of 18
2. Be a Medicaid recipient
3. Qualify and be participants of the New York State Department of Health Home and Community-Based Services for Individuals with Traumatic Brain Injury (HCBS/TBI) Medicaid Waiver
4. Choose to live in the community rather than a nursing facility
5. Be eligible for nursing facility level of care as determined by a Patient Review   Instrument (PRI) and SCREEN
6. Have or find a living arrangement which meets the individual’s needs
7. Be able to be served with the funds and services available under the HCBS/TBI waiver and New York State Medicaid State Plan

Models

• Subsidized Housing is generally single, sometimes shared, apartments in the community housing one to four residents in an apartment unit 
• Apartments are usually scattered throughout the community, but may be located in one building 
• The housing is permanent; residents receive one year lease
• Apartments are exclusively for people with a Traumatic Brain Injury disability; some can accommodate families as long as one adult member is a waiver participant
• Service coordination is available as requested by participants, Regional Resource Development Specialists (RRDS) or family member and may be either on or off-site
• Participants should be able to function with minimal assistance from staff; there is no day program requirement although it is expected that participants will be involved in some meaningful activities or structured day program
• Rent subsidy payment is the difference between the full rent and participants' share
• The NYS Department of Health (DOH) may also, when needed, subsidize a portion of the utilities when demonstrated. DOH will pay 2/3 of a budgeted amount, with participants paying the balance.

How to Apply

The Home and Community-Based Services for individual with Traumatic Brain injury (HCBS/TBI) waiver is administered through a network of Regional Resource Centers (RRC), each covering specific counties throughout the State. The contact person at the RRC office is the Regional Resource Development Specialist (RRDS). For more information on this option, contact Center for Urban Community Services (CUCS) Traumatic Brain Injury Housing Department at (212) 801-3300.