The Olmstead Housing Initiative (OHI) is a partnership between KHC and the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services. It was created in response to the 1999 Supreme Court Decision Olmstead v. L.C., 527 U.S. 581, that was an interpretation of Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
OHI was created to meet the housing needs of one of the hardest to serve populations: people with Severe Mental Illness (SMI) who are in institutions, or who are at-risk of institutionalization. Efforts have been made to move individuals who are capable of living independently from institutions into affordable housing in communities of their choosing. Institutions for this population could include nursing homes, but are more typically psychiatric hospitals or personal care homes. OHI can pay for moving expenses, basic furnishings, security and utility deposits, and provide an on-going rental subsidy.
Referrals for the Olmstead Housing Initiative will only be accepted from contracted providers of the Department for Behavioral Health, Developmental and Intellectual Disabilities (DBHDID) who must confirm that a full range of support services are in place in the community where the individual chooses to live. All referrals must be made to DBHDID. KHC does not accept or approve direct referrals. For more information on the policies/procedures and referral process, please see these resources: