HUD Awards First New Service Coordinator Grants in a Decade
(Jan. 21, 2025) On Jan. 15th, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the award of $40 million for new or expanded three-year Service Coordinator grants in 107 affordable multifamily housing communities across the U.S.
Service Coordinators connect residents aged 62 years and older and persons with disabilities with resources to help them age in place and live independently. These resources include financial management assistance, opportunities for social connections, and health and well-being programs. Tenants have the option to choose services according to their preferences. Service Coordinators also help property management better understand the needs of their resident population.
“These funds help enhance the quality of life for these residents by bringing appropriate community-based services within reach, enabling residents to live independently with dignity,” HUD Deputy Assistant Secretary of Multifamily Housing Programs Ethan Handelman said in HUD’s press release.
Despite the proven success of Service Coordination programs, it is estimated that only about a third of the nearly 700 eligible HUD multifamily properties serving older adults in NYS are receiving federal funds for a Service Coordinator. LeadingAge NY joins LeadingAge in congratulating the awardees on securing these grants and will continue its longstanding partnership with LeadingAge to support the Service Coordinator program and advocate for significantly more Service Coordinators in HUD-assisted housing serving older adults.
In addition, recognizing that the affordable independent senior housing properties developed using Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTCs), State Low-Income Housing Credits (SLIHCs), or funds from NYS Homes and Community Renewal’s (HCR) recent five-year capital spending plans are not eligible to receive federal Service Coordinator funds, LeadingAge NY will continue its advocacy to create a State-funded “Resident Assistant” program to connect more older adults living in subsidized and income-restricted housing with the community resources they need to age in place.
Read more on the new HUD Service Coordinator grants from LeadingAge here.
Contact: Annalyse Komoroske Denio, akomoroskedenio@leadingageny.org, 518-867-8866