Glossary

American Institute of Architects: an organization with a long history of involvement in design of facilites and housing for homeless people

FREE self-help group for family members, significant others, friends and others affected by someone else's substance abuse. Participants learn from each others' experiences in dealing effectively with others' substance abuse.

The total annual mortgage cost stated as a percentage of the loan amount

A mortgage that permits the lender to periodically adjust the interest rate when the index changes.

Housing that is modified to meet the needs of individuals with disabilities or special needs.

Grooming and hygiene activities that must be done on a daily basis. They include toileting, housework, bathing, and dressing. Some supportive care facilities will ask about ADL's as a way to see if someone is eligible to stay with them or not.

Interest produced by a household's savings and checking accounts, dividends from stocks and bonds, rents and royalties received from real property, and income from other capital investments.

A mortgage with an interest rate that changes periodically, according to an index that is selected when the mortgage is issued. The initial interest rate is lower than that for fixed-rate mortgages, but monthly payments can go up or down when the rate is adjusted.

Adjusted income is ""annual (gross) income"" reduced by deductions (or allowances) for dependents, elderly households, medical expenses, disability assistance expenses, and child care. (The HOME Program allows the use of three definitions of ""annual income."") Adjusted income is used only under the certain circumstances described in the ""Calculating Income Eligibility"" module.

The period of time between changes in the interest rate for an adjustable-rate mortgage. Typical adjustment intervals are one year, three and five years.

A term used by many lenders to describe their ""First Time Home Buyers' Programs"" or mortgage products that have maximum income limits. Many of these programs have more flexible underwriting guideline and/or require smaller downpayments.

Under current federal housing guidelines, housing is considered affordable for a low-income household when monthly housing costs do not exceed 30% of monthly household income.

A written agreement by which a buyer agrees to buy and a seller agrees to sell a particular property under the terms and conditions stated therein.

(A&D) is the abbreviation for Alcohol and other drugs.

FREE support group for people who want to achieve and maintain sobriety, abstinence from mind-altering drugs---and learn to live their lives more fully without alcohol/drugs. 12-Step programs had their beginning in this nationwide movement that has helped millions of people.

$480 deduction for each family member who is not the head of household or spouse, and who is under 18 years of age (17 years or less), a full-time student aged 18 or older, or handicapped or disabled.

Amount of handicapped assistance expenses for care attendants or auxiliary apparatus exceeding 3% of annual income. Care/apparatus must be necessary in order for an adult family member to work (allowance cannot exceed amount earned).

Amount of total medical expenses exceeding 3% of annual income. Allowance only for elderly households.

Farmers Home Administration, an agency of the U.S. Department of Agriculture that insures home loans in rural communities.

The ability to walk freely & independently, not bedridden or hospitalized

Features of a property- pool, clubhouse, tennis courts, and the like- that make it more attractive to the buyer (or renter).

Organization with long history of involvement in design of facilities, housing for homeless people.

A law passed by Congress in 1980, which establishes a clear and comprehensive prohibition of discrimination on the basis of disability.

Total income of a household from all sources, including assets, for the 12 month period.

Software that scans the computer for viruses and gets rid of them. They run in the background and automatically check for viruses.

Intensive mental health services delivered in a community setting, usually by a treatment team.

A permanent rule established by an organization, corporation, etc., to govern its internal affairs.

The cash value of net family assets disposed of for less than fair market value during the two-year period preceding certification or recertification.

The amount Housing and Urban Development (HUD) pays an owner each month for a unit occupied under Section 8, RAP or Rent Supplement programs. The amount is equal to gross rent less the total tenant payment.

A special combination of housing, personalized supportive services and health care designed to meet the needs of those who need help with activities of daily living.

Usually a short-term fixed-rate loan which involves small payments for a certain period of time and one large payment for the remaining amount of the principal at a time specified in the contract.

A measurement of a signal, for example how fast the computer can send information to the monitor. Usually expressed in hertz.

A type of fixed-rate mortgage with payments for half the usual monthly amount scheduled every two weeks. Because you make the equivalent of 13 months of payments every year, the loan term is shortened from 30 years to 18 or 19 years, and total interest costs are substantially lower.

The way to mark web sites that the user would like to visit again. Usually label favorite or bookmark depending on the programs used.

the public entity or its designated public agency that issues debt obligations.

Budget Authority consists of appropriations and re-appropriations, borrowing authority, and contract authority. Legally, Budget Authority constitutes specific authority to make obligations that will result in immediate or later outlays. The present Office of Management and Budget definition of budget authority includes both federal funds and trust funds.

Something given, as a privilege or right, a sum of money or a tract of land.

Compact Disc Read Only Memory. A CD that holds many mega bites of memory. It is able to run programs much faster than floppies and is able to hold pictures, writings, sounds, and movies. They are not erasable or reusable like floppies.

Community Development Block Grant. A grant program administered by the US Dept. of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), CDBG is a major funding souce under HUD guidelines. CDBG provides eligible metropolitan cities and urban counties with annual direct grants that they can use to revitalize neighborhoods, expand affordable housing and economic opportunities, and/or improve community facilities and services, prinicipally benefiting low and moderate income persons.

Community Development Corporation. A community based organization dedicated to development of economic opportunities and/or housing in the community.

A CHDO is a special type of non-profit organization and has meaning only in the context of HUD's HOME program. A CHDO is a non-profit, community-based organization that has, or intends to retain, staff with the capacity to own, manage, and/or sponsor affordable housing.

The way a computer gets to the internet or e-mail by a cable TV line. It is more expensive than a regular phone line but is much faster.

Type of funds used to pay for the purchase, rehabilitation or new construction of permanent affordable housing

A person who is employed to provide care for elderly, handicapped, or other tenants who are mentally or physically ill or incapacitated and who need special assistance. Live in attendant is not party to the lease and their income is not considered as part of household's income.

Enable non-elderly families having a person with disabilities, who do not currently receive housing assistance in certain developments where owners establish preferences for, or restrict occupancy to, elderly families, to obtain affordable housing.

Co-occurrence or dual diagnosis is the simultaneous existence of a substance use disorder interacting with one or more independent DSM-IV Axis I or II mental disorders and/or a physical/sensory/cognitive/developmental disability. The disorder/disabilty is of a type and severity which exacerbates the substance use disorder or other conditions, and/or complicates treatment of the substance use disorder, and/or interferes with functioning in certain social roles.

FREE support group for people who want to achieve and maintain sobriety, abstinence from mind-altering drugs and learn to live their lives more fully without cocaine.

States participating in the CDBG Program award grants only to units of general local government that carry out development activities. Annually each State develops funding priorities and criteria for selecting projects.

The Insular Areas CDBG program provides grants to four designated areas: American Samoa; Guam; Northern Mariana Islands; and the Virgin Islands.

A Federal program created under the Housing and Community Development Act of 1974. This program provides grants funds to local and State governments to be used to develop viable urban communities by providing decent housing with a suitable living environment and expanding economic opportunities to assist low- and moderate-income residents. CDBG replaced several categorical grant programs such as the Model Cities Program, the Urban Renewal Program and the Housing Rehabilitation Loan and Grant Program. Section 108 is the loan guarantee provision of the CDBG Program. It offers communities a source of financing for housing rehabilitation, economic development, and large-scale physical development projects.

In this program HUD directly provides annual CDBGs on a formula basis to entitled communities to carry out a wide range of community development activities directed toward neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and improved community facilities and services.

In this program, HUD directly provides annual CDBG funds on a formula basis to States, which then administer the funding and act as a partner with the Federal Government in distributing funds to carry out a wide range of community development activities directed towards neighborhood revitalization, economic development, and improved community facilities and services.

A federally defined type of nonprofit housing provider that must receive a minimum of 15 percent of all Federal HOME funds. The primary difference between CHDO and other nonprofits is the level of low-income resident participation on the Board of Directors.

One of the parts into which a country or an organization is divided for political, judicial, military, or other purposes

HUD grant program via an annual formula to large public housing authorities to modernize public housing units.

The terminal that holds and controls various parts of the computer.

A document written by a State or local government describing the housing needs of the low- and moderate-income residents, outlining strategies to meet the needs and listing all resources available to implement the strategies. This document is required to receive HUD Community Planning and Development funds.

A ""master plan"", approved by HUD, for states and local communities to receive federal funds directly from HUD for new affordable housing and community development activities. The ConPlan is intended to be a comprehensive, long-range planning document that describes housing needs, market conditions, and housing strataegies, and outlines an action plan for the use of federal housing funds. The ConPlan controls access of funds to the following programs: Community Development Block Grant (CDBG), Emergency Shelter Grant (ESG), HOME Investments Partnerships Program (HOME), Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA). A unit of local governement that receives CDBG, HOME, ESG, amd/or HOPWA program funding directly from HUD must submit a ConPlan. Every state must also a ConPlan.

The form, required by law, in which a state or local official certifies that the proposed activities or projects are consistent with the jurisdiction's Consolidate Plan and, if the applicant is a State or unit of local government, that the jurisdication is following its Consolidated Plan.

A mental health services consumer is someone who is receiving or has received mental health services. The term ""consumer"" is used interchangeably with terms such as ""client"", ""patient"", ""ex-patient"", or ""survivor"". The term ""consumer"" is often chosen because it is believed to convey a sense of power to the person receiving mental health services, as one who proactively ""purchases"" or ""consumes"" mental health services.

An inititative created by HUD to help communities plan for homeless housing and services and to provide a means for communitites to access HUD funded homeless resources

assist PHAs with relocation or replacement housing needs that result from the demolition, disposition, or mandatory conversion of public housing units. Also conversion vouchers include providing assistance to families living in section 8 projects for which the owner is opting out of the HAP contract, HUD is taking enforcement action against owners with project-based assistance, and projects for which the owner is prepaying the mortgage.

Messages stored on your hard drive by a Web page. It can be anything, but usually is something to help you use that Web page the next time you call it up on your computer.

An inventory of the community's existing beds and supportive services.

The way a computer gets to the internet or e-mail by the phone line, but it is a faster phone line. It also costs more than a regular phone line.

DSM IV. Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Edition 4. The book used by mental health professionals in diagnosing mental illnesses and mental disorders.

In addition to administering well-known criminal justice activities, is source of funding for shelters/services for victims of domestic violence.

A household member who is [1] 17 or younger; or [2] handicapped or disabled; [3] a full time student. Head of household, spouse, foster children, and live-in attendants are not to be considered as dependents.

Designated housing vouchers enable non-elderly families with a disabled person, who would be eligible for public housing if occupancy were not restricted to elderly families to lease safe, decent and affordable housing. These vouchers also assist families affected by a PHA decision to designate their buildings as ""mixed elderly and disabled buildings"" but demonstrate a need for alternative resources for families with a disabled person.

The area of the computer that shows what programs are available with icons.

Affliction characterized by chronic physical and mental disabilities, which may include: cerebral palsy, retardation, thyroid problems, seizures, and quadriplegia.

A means of connecting a computer to the internet or e-mail through a modem.

This term refers to all adults with disabilities, their advocates, families and service providers - including state and local human service agencies.

A person who has a disability as defined in Section 223 of the Social Security Act or developmentally disabled as defined in 42 USC #6001(7).

An individual who is [1] displaced by government action; [2] residence is uninhabitable due to disaster, declared or formally recognized by Federal Government.

To exercise an action. The purpose for which something is designed or exists (role).

Two rapid clicks with the mouse button. Usually done to open an icon.

Copying information from the internet or software onto the computer.

Federal law that prohibits lenders from denying mortgage on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, marital status.

Emergency Shelter Grant is a grant that provides funds for emergency shelter or services programs for people who are homeless. The funds are used to increase the number and quality of emergency shelters and transitonal housing facilities, for operation of these facilitites and to provide essential social services, and to help prevent homelessness.

Loan commitments often paired with section 108, which can be used to pay predevelopment costs of a Section 108-funded project. They can also be used as a loan loss reserve (in lieu of CDBG funds), to write-down interest rates, or to establish a debt service reserve.

Small, free-standing, barrier-free, energy-efficient, and removable units designed to be installed adjacent to existing single-family dwellings.

A household in which the head of the household is 62 or older. An elderly household may include elderly persons with disabilities and other family members who are not elderly.

A person at least 62 years of age is considered to be an elderly person.

Replaces paper food stamps in many states, may also be called some other name for electronic system; used like a bank card to pay for food at participating stores, restaurants, not-for-profit programs certified as eligible retailers.

For Section 8 programs - a time period based on effective date of HAP contract which is used to determine the regulations that apply.

A State, unit of local government or a private non-profit organization which provides assistance to the homeless, and which is authorized by its charter or by State law to enter into an agreement with the Federal government for use of real property

Designated area selected through HUD's competitive process to receive additional Federal funds for improving economic conditions in distressed, disadvantaged communities.

Designated area selected through HUD's competitive process to receive additional Federal funds, but not as much as Empowerment Zones (EZ), for improving economic conditions in distressed, disadvantaged communities.

means a metropolitan city or an urban county receiving a grant

Plan developed by Public Housing Agencies for use in Section 8 and Moderate Rehabilitation programs.

The Fair Credit Reporting Act is a consumer protection law that regulates the disclosure of consumer credit reports.

Federal Emergency Management Administration: Funding source, administers $100 million annually to assist homeless and at-risk individuals and families. Funds are allocated by local FEMA Boards.

Acronym for the Federal Housing Administration that provides mortgage insurance and sets construction and underwriting standards. FHA does not lend money.

These are made by private lenders using their own funds. The government provides insurance against default. The borrower pays more to have this type of loan.

Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity. HUD office responsible for educating public about fair housing and enforcing nation's fair housing laws and civil rights laws as they impact housing discrimination

Federal Home Loan Bank. Major source of funding, Affordable Housing Program, permanent financing & grants

Fair Market Rent. Maximum amount of rent HUD will pay or subsidize.

A law enacted in 1988 that made it illegal in the United States to discriminate against a person with a disability attempting to rent or buy a home.

a household composed of two or more related persons. The term family also includes one or more eligible persons living with another person or persons who are determined to be important to their care or well being, and the surviving member or members of any family described in this definition

Family Self-Sufficiency (FSS) is a HUD program that encourages communities to develop local strategies to help assisted families obtain employment that will lead to economic independence and self-sufficiency. Public housing agencies (PHAs) work with welfare agencies, schools, businesses, and other local partners to develop a comprehensive program that gives participating FSS family members the skills and experience to enable them to obtain employment that pays a living wage.

are made available to families for whom the lack of adequate housing is a primary factor in the separation, or threat of imminent separation, of children from their families or in the prevention of reunifying the children with their families. Family unification vouchers enable these families to lease or purchase decent, safe and sanitary housing that is affordable in the private housing market.

Federal National Mortgage Association. A government-sponsored enterprise that operates as a private entity in the housing mortgage business.

Software that blocks suspicious information from getting into your computer. It can be used with e-mail to help reduce the risk of virus infection. It is usually used by networks so that people can be on the internet but the private company information is protected.

Tax incentives are also known as loopholes. They depart from the normal tax structure and are designed to favor a particular industry, activity, or class of persons. The most familiar examples are the tax deductions for home mortgage interest and for charitable contributions. But, on the federal and state levels, there are a multitude of such incentives, paralleling direct spending programs and targeted to business, research and development, agriculture, income security, health care, oil drilling, nuclear power, employment and training, housing, social services, education, veterans' benefits, etc..

The part of the computer that runs floppy disks which are reusable magnetic storage cards.

Storage icons that contain the user's information like data text.

Administered by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Oversees Food Stamp Program.

Legal proceedings instigated by a lender to deprive a person of ownership right when mortgage payments have not been held up.

A government-sponsored enterprise that operates as a private entity in the housing mortage business.

An occupation, profession or trade. The purchase and sale of goods in an attempt to make a profit.

The goals of the Moderate Rehabilitation Program are to provide the mechanism whereby: 1. substandard dwelling units are upgraded to a safe and livable standard; 2. existing housing stock is retained; and 3. additional affordable housing is provided to very low or lower income tenants.

Individuals must pass test to receive GED, usually considered the equivalent of a high school diploma.

Federal agency responsible for many administrative duties of Federal government, including publication/posting on GSA's website of the Federal government's Catalog of Domestic Federal Assistance, which lists each and every Federal program, guidelines and contact persons, cross-referenced for ease in locating sources of funding for domestic (non-military, non-international) programs.

Something given, as a privilege or right, a sum of money or a tract of land.

a form of assistance authorized by statute in which a federal agency (the grantor) transfers something of value to a party (the grantee) usually, but not always, outside of the federal government, for a purpose, undertaking, or activity of the grantee which the government has chosen to assist, to be carried out without substantial involvement on the part of the federal government.

A HUD organization which processes competitive grant applications, determines formula grant allocations, and supports the public housing operating subsidy program.

The agency that receives something of value from the grantor

federal ageny that grants something of value to a party

The proceeds payable to the borrower from the issuance of debt obligations

A written contract between HUD and an owner for the purpose of providing housing assistance payment to the owner on behalf of an eligible household.

The HOME program is a grant of federal housing funds to state and local jurisdictions that is used for rental housing production and rehabilitation loans and grants, first-time homebuyer assistance, rehabilitation loans for homeowners and tenant-based rental assistance. All housing developed with HOME funds must serve low- and very low-income individuals and families.

HOME Investment Partnership. A HUD program and major funding source. Funds are allocated locally. Major purpose is to support affordable housing (including supportive housing).

HUD program. Funds are used to replace deteriorated public housing with new, mixed income communities.

The HOPWA program funds housing and services for people living with HIV/AIDS and their families whose incomes are at or below 80% of area median income. HOPWA activities are: housing information and referral services, acquisition, rehabiliation, and leasing of property, project-based or tenant-based rental assistance, homeles prevention activities, supportive services, housing operating costs, technical assistance, including resource identification.

Home of Your Own

Hypertext Markup Language. It is used by very experienced computer people who make Web pages. The programs in HTML determines the page layout, fonts, grafts, and hypertexts. There are programs that will help the rest of us create our own pages.

The Housing and Urban Development agency administers programs that assist homeowners and renters and also agencies willing to develop housing or make improvements to the community. HUD also provides funding to organizations that provide housing and services to homeless people and people with special needs

An entity that applies to HUD for funds. In order to be an applicant, you must submit an SF 424. If selected for funding, the applicant becomes the grantee and is responsible for the overall management of the grant, including drawing grant funds and distributing them to project sponsors. The applicant may also be a project sponsor.

The form, required by law, in which an applicant certifies that he or she will adhere to certain statutory requirements, such as the Civil Rights Act of 1964.

The main storage area of the computer. Hard disks store the memory inside the hard drive and are able to retrieve memory very quick. It also allows for information to be stored in the computer without a floppy disk or CD.

The various components of the computer that make up its physical being. These include the monitor, hard drive, motherboard, and processor.

Funding source administered by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs.

Provision of medical and nursing services in the individual's home by a licensed provider.

The first page that displays when you sign onto the World Wide Web. Also the page displayed when you click the Home button.

A person sleeping in a place not meant for human habitation or in an emergency shelter; a person in transitional or supportive housing for homeless persons who originally came from the street or an emergency shelter.

ownership in fee simple title or a 99 year leasehold interest in a one- to four-unit dwelling or in a condominium unit, or equivalent form of ownership approved by HUD. The ownership interest may be subject only to the restrictions on resale required under 92.254(a); mortgages, deeds of trust, or other liens or instruments securing debt on the property as approved by the participating jurisdiction; or any other restrictions or encumbrances that do not impair the good and marketable nature of title to the ownership interest. For purposes of the insular areas, homeownership includes leases of 40 years or more. For purposes of housing located on trust or restricted Indian lands, homeownership includes leases of 50 years. The participating jurisdiction must determine whether or not ownership or membership in a cooperative or mutual housing project constitutes homeownership under State law.

assist first-time homeowners with their monthly homeownership expenses. The home must pass an initial housing quality standards inspection conducted by the PHA and an independent home inspection before the PHA may approve the purchase by the family.

A computer connected to the Internet or a network.

A home in which two or more people are connected by blood, marriage, adoption, or other close relationship.

Includes manufactured housing and manufactured housing lots, permanent housing for disabled homeless persons, transitional housing, single-room occupancy housing, and group homes. Housing also includes elder cottage housing opportunity (ECHO) units that are small, free-standing, barrier-free, energy-efficient, removable, and designed to be installed adjacent to existing single-family dwellings. Housing does not include emergency shelters (including shelters for disaster victims) or facilities such as nursing homes, convalescent homes, hospitals, residential treatment facilities, correctional facilities and student dormitories.

A private organization which provides funds, training, and other types of assistance to nonprofit groups to facilitate construction of lower-income housing in rural areas.

The Section 8 tenant-based certificate and voucher programs were created by Congress as an alternative to public housing and privately owned subsidized housing developments with two goals in mind. These were to allow low-income households more choice in housing; and to reduce the concentration of low-income households living in particular neighborhoods, especially in urban areas. The Section 8 program is administered mostly by PHAs and provides tenant-based rental subsidies that can be used in privately owned rental housing chosen by the program participant that meets Section 8 guidelines. The PHAs are responsible for tenant selection, managing the subsidy account, and inspecting apartments before they are rented. Under the Section 8 tenant-based program, PHAs provide a rental subsidy directly to landlords on behalf of eligible tenants who select housing that meets program guidelines. In general, tenants pay 30 percent of their income in rent and the PHA pays the difference between this and the rent charged for the unit. Rents must be ""reasonable"" and equal to or below a Fair Market Rent established by HUD based on the median rent for the area. Since 1974, this program has become the major form of federal housing assistance available to very low-income households. Under new public housing reform legislation, the Section 8 certificate and voucher programs were merged into the new Housing Choice Voucher Program. The Housing Choice Voucher program also provides a rent subsidy paid by the PHA on behalf of the program participant directly to the landlord. However, when new Section 8 participants receive a Housing Choice Voucher, they may pay no more than 40 percent of their income in rent. The amount of the Section 8 rent subsidy paid by the PHA is based on HUD Fair Market Rents for the area. As mentioned above, until recently, PHAs were required to provide preference to very low-income families (income below 50 percent of median) who are homeless or at risk of homelessness. However, Congress recently eliminated these requirements. Under new federal laws, PHAs must target at least 75 percent of their Section 8 rent subsidies to households with incomes below 30 percent of the median income. PHAs may also establish other tenant selection preference categories that are consistent with local housing needs. For example, PHAs may adopt a local preference for people with disabilities, although there is no requirement that they must do so. There is usually a very long waiting list for Section 8 vouchers, and many PHAs open their Section 8 waiting lists for new applicants for very limited periods of time. Over the past years, Congress has established separate ""set-aside"" programs within the Section 8 program. These special set-aside vouchers are administered in the exact manner as the conventional Section 8 vouchers, except that they are targeted to specific populations, such as persons with disabilities (both elderly and non-elderly); veterans; families reunifying with their children; persons using Medicaid service waivers; etc.

The graphs that represent the programs available to the user.

Inability to control bladder and/or bowels. With urinary incontinence one is unable to keep urine in the bladder. Fecal incontinence is when one is unable to retain feces in the rectum.

This program is for those consumers who have demonstrated a capability of independent living with little or no assistance. It may be authorized as a housing supplement, independent living support, wrap-around or as a short-term voucher payable until other resources, such as SSI, become available to the consumer. This funding may be authorized for consumers who have a need for support based upon a demonstrated financial deficit requiring these wrap-around services. Once the financial deficit has been alleviated (e.g. SSI benefits begin), eligibility for this level of voucher reimbursement will be terminated.

Over 100,000 computers and over 100 countries exchanging information.

A computer language developed by Sun Microsystems that can be understood by many different computers. Very important for the internet, since it allows one computer to talk to another.

A typewriter-like panel of keys that help you communicate with a computer.

The amount of a loan compared to the value of a property expressed as a percentage.

This training provides critical life management skills that may never have been learned or have been lost during the course of mental illness, substance abuse, and homelessness. They are targeted to assist the individual to function independently in the community. Component life skills training includes the budgeting of resources and money management, household management, conflict management, shopping for food and needed items, nutrition, the use of public transportation, and parent training.

The hyperlink that directs the user to other pages of possible interests.

This is a command that allows the user to close the window s/he is working on without turning the computer off.

The federal government created the LlHTC program in 1986 in order to create incentives for investment in low-income housing development by giving federal tax credits to investors in affordable low-income housing. Private investors (such as banks, corporations) buy the tax credits from the affordable housing developer. The affordable housing developer then uses these proceeds called equity (usually in combination with other financing) to construct or rehabilitate affordable housing. Investors receive a federal tax credit over a 10-year term.

A federal program, created by the 1986 Tax Reform Act, that encourages the development of low-income housing by giving qualified owners or investors ineleigible low-income rental housing a credit on their federal income tax. In general, state housing finance agencies are responsible for administering the federal LIHTC program at the state level.

The office that supervises the printing and distribution of listings shared by members of the local board of Realtors.

A method of sending audio information over the Internet, used to transmit music.

enable families having a person with disabilities to lease affordable private housing of their choice. Mainstream program vouchers also assist persons with disabilities who often face difficulties in locating suitable and accessible housing on the private market.

Any health care system that regulates patient treatment by controlling cost. Many times the primary care physician is responsible for holding down most initial costs.

A state funded health insurance (TennCare) that assists people with low income and are uninsurable to have health insurance. It also helps with medication and is sometimes used to help elderly who have Medicare but cannot afford medications. The process is called ""spend-down"" and is done through your local Department of Humans Services (DHS). Tenn Care changes their eligibility so contacting your local DHS is best.

Shall mean services or supplies provided by an institution, physician, or other provider that are required to identify or treat a TennCare enrollee's illness, disease, or injury and which are: a) Consistent with the symptoms or diagnosis and treatment of the enrollee's illness, disease, or injury; and b) Appropriate with regard to standards of good medical practice; and c) Not solely for the convenience of an enrollee, physician, institution, or other provider; and d) The most appropriate supply or level of services that can safely be provided to the enrollee. When applied to the care of an inpatient, it further means that services for the enrollee's medical symptoms or condition require that the services cannot be safely provided to the enrollee as an outpatient; and e) When applied to enrollees under 21 years of age, services shall be provided in accordance with EPSDT requirements including federal regulations as described in 42 CFR Part 441, Subpart B, and the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1989.

A federal health insurance program for people age 65 and older and for individuals with disabilities. The Social Security Administration, regardless of income, administers Medicare. It also provides for hospital, nursing facility care, physician services, therapies, and home health care.

The part of Medicare that covers stays in hospitals. There is a deductible to be meet every year.

The part of Medicare that covers doctor's visits. There is a yearly deductible to be meet.

Also called QMB (Qualified Medicare Beneficiary) or SLMB (Special Low Income Medicare Beneficiary). A type of insurance ( another form of TennCare) applied for at Department of Human Services (DHS) or over the phone (1-800-624-5547). It is for those whose Social Security check is not enough for them to pay for Medicare. The limits change yearly so it is best to call your local DHS office. Medigap pays for the Medicare premium and for the deducible and co-pays (20%) that Medicare does not cover.

The part of the computer that allows for work to be done without having to store it immediately. However, work is lost if computer is shut down without saving the data. The amount of memory the computer has dictates the amount of programs running at one time.

A community-based facility that offers 24-hour residential care as well as a treatment and rehabilitation component. The focus of the program may be on short-term crisis stabilization or on long-term rehabilitation that includes training in community living skills, vocational skills, and/or socialization. The staff includes direct-care staff as well as treatment staff. Treatment staff may be present full-time or only during times when program activities or interventions are occurring. Access to medical services, social services, and mental health services are insured and are usually off-site.

A mental illness is a disease that causes mild to severe disturbances in thought and/or behavior, resulting in difficulty coping with life's ordinary demands and routines. There are more than 200 classified forms of mental illness. Some of the more common disorders are depression, bipolar disorder, dementia, schizophrenia and anxiety disorders. Symptoms may include changes in mood, personality, personal habits and/or social withdrawal.

A set-aside of units for people with disabilities

A tool that takes the binary ones and zeros of a computer and translates them into tones (analog signals). This information is then set to another computer that will translate the analog into binary. Needed for internet and e-mail.

Accounting period covering 12 consecutive months over which a company determines earnings and profits. The fiscal year serves as a period of reference for the company and does not necessarily correspond to the calendar year. A 12-month period for which an organization plans the use of its funds.

The visual part of the computer where work or output is completed by the user.

The small handheld device that helps the user navigate on the monitor. Used for drawing, pointing, and opening windows.

Pertaining to the internal affairs of a state, town or nation rather than to international affairs.

The National Alliance for the Mentally Ill (NAMI) is a not-for-profit, grassroots, self-help, support and advocacy organization of consumers, families, and friends of people with severe mental illness.

A geographic location designated in comprehensive plans, ordinances, or other local documents as a neighborhood, village, or similar geographical designation that is within the boundary but does not encompass the entire area of a unit of general local government; except that if the unit of general local government has a population under 25,000, the neighborhood may, but need not, encompass the entire area of a unit of general local government.

rehabilitation that involves costs that are less than or equal to 75 percent of the value of the building after rehabilitation.

Is organized under State or local laws; Has no part of its net earnings inuring to the benefit of any member, founder, contributor, or individual; Has a functioning accounting system that is operated in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, or has designated an entity that will maintain such an accounting system; and Has among its purposes significant activities related to providing services or housing to persons with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome or related diseases.

Published in the Federal Register to announce available funds and application requirements.

Being or serving as an element in something larger.

A decision in 1999 by the U.S. Supreme Court that the unnecessary segregation of individuals with disabilities may constitute discrimination based on disability. The decision included that the Americans with Disabilities Act may require states to provide community-based services rather than institutional placements for these individuals.

A way to describe when your modem is connected to another computer. Also means that something is available for communication by a computer, such as a printer.

The software that runs the computer. It sets what languages and programs will be used with the computer. It usually comes with the computer like Windows.

An abbreviation for Personal Computer. A microcomputer is a tool for various uses in the home and office, including accessing information, research on the internet and complicated projects like balancing a budget.

An acronym standing for Portable Document Format file. Created by the Adobe Acrobat program, the file contains text and graphics that can be read by anyone who uses an IBM or Macintosh computer.

Public Housing Authority

An acronym for Principal, Interest, Taxes, and Insurance, the components of monthly mortgage payments.

Intensive care for the terminally ill or those who are very close to dying. It includes pain management and stress management. A patient can still actively seek a cure while receiving palliative care.

The manner in which or the efficiency with which something reacts or fulfills its intended purpose.

Long-term housing for homeless persons with disabilities. Community-based housing and supportive services in a permanent setting.

A social construct referring to the largest minority group. Disabilities can affect anyone and may be the result of accident, illness or the aging process. People with disabilties may have special needs to assist them in activities of daily living, such as wheelchairs, signage, or accommodations in their learning or work environments, or other accomodations.

A type of message displayed on top of the existing text or image.

An instrument by which one person authorizes another to act for him in a manner which is as legally binding upon the person giving such authority as if he personally were to do the acts. It does not have to be made in favor of a licensed attorney. Most standard powers of attorney are automatically revoked should you become incompetent.

It usually must appoint a family member or relative and often is limited in the kinds of powers that can be assigned. Unlike ordinary powers of attorney, durable powers can survive for long periods of time, and again, unlike standard powers of attorney, durable powers can continue after incompetency.

A document under which a grantor gives an agent wide-ranging powers to act on behalf of the grantor.

A power of attorney form that continues (by its terms) to be effective even though the grantor has become mentally incompetent after signing the document.

A document under which a grantor gives an agent a limited number of specific powers to act on behalf of the grantor.

The hardware that allows the user to print information from the computer.

(includes faith-based and community-based organizations). Private nonprofit status is documented by submitting wither: a) a copy of the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) ruling providing tax-exempt status under Section 501(c)(3) of the IRS Code; or b) documentation showing that the applicant is a certified United Way agency; or c) a certification from a designated official of the organization that no part of the net earnings of the organization inures to the benefit of any member, founder, contributor, or individual; that the organization has a voluntary board; that the organization practices nondiscrimination in the provision of assistance; and that the organization has a functioning accounting system that provides for each of the following (mention each in the certification): 1. Accurate, current and complete disclosure of the financial results of each federally-sponsored project. 2. Records that identify adequately the source and application of funds for federally-sponsored activities. 3. Effective control over and accountability for all funds, property and other assets. 4. Comparison of outlays with budget amounts. 5. Written procedures to minimize the time elapsing between the transfer of funds to the recipient from the U.S. Treasury and the use of the funds for program purposes. 6. Written procedures for determining the reasonableness, allocability and allowability of costs. 7. Accounting records including cost accounting records that are supported by source documentation.

Something that one's efforts or actions are intended to attain or accomplish.