EL PASO, Tx., September 23, 2025: The search for safe, accessible, and affordable housing in El Paso is a formidable challenge for many residents, but for people with disabilities, the hurdles are often compounded by a lack of suitable units and an overburdened support system. While a network of public and non-profit organizations works to address the issue, the need continues to far outpace the available resources.
According to a 2024 report from the City of El Paso, which references the U.S. Census Bureau, over 107,000 people in El Paso County live with a disability, with over half of them facing mobility issues. This population faces a dual crisis: a widespread lack of affordable housing and a critical shortage of units with the necessary accessibility features. The demand for “Type A” accessible apartment units, which are specifically designed for people with disabilities, significantly outweighs the current supply.
Public housing and federal programs offer some relief, but the path to a stable home is often long and difficult with waiting lists for housing assistance programs that can stretch for years,
HACEP’s Housing Choice Voucher and Project-Based Voucher Programs
The Housing Authority of the City of El Paso (HACEP) is the region’s largest provider of affordable housing. It’s the 14th largest public housing authority in the United States and offers crucial assistance through its two primary programs: the Housing Choice Voucher (HCV) and Project-Based Voucher (PBV).
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) Program
The Housing Choice Voucher Program, better known as Section 8, provides tenant-based assistance. Tenant-based assistance means that the voucher belongs to the individual or the family, and not to a specific housing unit. This allows the individual or the family to select the location where they prefer to live instead of being forced to go to a specific multitenant complex…