1. (a) Project Access is a program that utilizes Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers administered by the Department to assist low-income non-elderly persons with disabilities in transitioning from institutions into the community by providing access to affordable housing.
2. (b) All Section 8 Program rules and regulations apply to the program.

3. (c) Project Access Eligibility Criteria. A Project Access voucher recipient must meet all Section 8 eligibility criteria as well as meet all of the following eligibility criteria:

   1. (1) have a permanent disability as defined in §223 of the Social Security Code or be determined to have a physical, mental or emotional disability that is expected to be of long-continued and indefinite duration that impedes one's ability to live independently;
   2. (2) be less than 62 years of age at the time of voucher issuance; and

   3. (3) meet one of the following criteria:

      1. (A) be an At-Risk Applicant and a previous resident of a nursing facility, intermediate care facility, or board and care facility as defined by HUD; or
      2. (B) be a current resident of a nursing facility, intermediate care facility, or board and care facility at the time of voucher issuance as defined by HUD.

Source Note:The provisions of this §5.801 adopted to be effective March 12, 2009, 34 TexReg 1581.