(a) The purpose of this article is to provide rental assistance to handicapped persons who: (1) Are unable to live independently; (2) Whose income meets requirements established by regulations; and (3) Who require a supporting service. (b) Unless specified otherwise, regulations applicable to the Rental Assistance program under Article I do not apply to the Handicapped Rental Assistance program under this Article.

In this Article, the following words have the meanings indicated: (1) Handicapped means a physical, mental, or emotional impairment of any person that substantially limits one or more major life activities. (2) Licensee means a person or organization: (A) Licensed to operate a group residential care facility under Chapter 23A; or (B) Whose residential care facility does not require a license under Chapter 23A, but whose program has been approved by the Director of Health and Human Services under Section 23A-4. (3) Supporting services means services available based on assessed need for: (A) Counseling; (B) Protective services to adults; (C) Housing improvement services; (D) Health-related services, including personal care; (E) Housekeeping and shopping assistance; (F) Social participation and chore services; (G) Home-delivered meals; and (H) Transportation to needed community resources or facilities.

(a) A handicapped individual is eligible for rental assistance under this article if the individual: (1) Meets the income requirements of applicable regulations; (2) Is accepted by a licensee for participation in its residential care program; and (3) Has been a resident of the County for 6 months before submitting an application for assistance or institutionalization. (b) Residing in an institution in the County does not fulfill the residency requirement. (c) A recipient of housing assistance under this Article is not eligible for assistance under Article I.

(a) An application must be filed with the Department of Health and Human Services on the application form that the Department prescribes. (b) The County may contract with a licensee or organization to make monthly rental assistance payments on behalf of tenants with disabilities. (c) The Department of Health and Human Services must certify approval of the contract to the Director of Finance, who must then make the payments. (d) An applicant whose application is not approved may appeal to the Chief Administrative Officer. (e) An appeal under this Section must: (1) Be in writing; (2) State the reasons for the appeal; and (3) Be filed with the Chief Administrative Officer within 30 days after the date the notice of the Department's decision was sent. (f) The Chief Administrative Officer or a designee must conduct an informal hearing of each appeal. Any interested party may submit oral or written testimony or evidence without regard to technical rules of evidence.

The County Executive annually must determine the amount of rental assistance payment under this Article by regulations adopted under method (1).