In LeadingAge-supported guidance published by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) on December 23, 2025, the agency is now allowing Supportive Services funding to be used to pay for in-unit internet access by residents of certain affordable senior housing communities.

Supportive Services funding is additional budget authority that HUD approves for properties with Section 202 Project Rental Assistance Contracts (PRACs).

The PRAC contract pays the difference between what it costs to operate the property and what a low income older adult resident can afford to pay for rent. Supportive Services funding, which property owners can request, is additional to the PRAC contract funds and covers the cost of direct services to residents, like nutrition support and transportation services.

HUD’s 2023 guidance, which LeadingAge had helped to develop, expanded and clarified the uses of the Supportive Services funding. However, at the time, HUD declined to allow the funds to be used to cover any internet-related costs, including internet for the purposes of telehealth appointments.

Now, citing research that shows the importance of internet access in health outcomes, the agency’s guidance supersedes Paragraph IV.D.9 in Notice H 2023-02, which prohibited the use of the funds for internet service.

The new Notice H 2025-08 permits “owners/agents of Section 202 project assisted pursuant to PRACs to use supportive services funds for Wi-Fi payments and Internet connectivity for residents…as of the effective date of this Notice, supportive services funding may be used for Wi-Fi networks and/or Internet access for individual residents in their units.”

The Notice also encourages housing communities to partner with digital navigators or similar entities to provide tech support to residents. LeadingAge had shared with HUD the importance of protecting Service Coordinators from “becoming IT departments” due to increased internet support needs among residents.

LeadingAge applauds HUD for moving forward with increased internet access and will continue to work with HUD to improve connectivity across the portfolio. Learn more about accessing Supportive Services funding via this free-to-members LeadingAge Learning Hub resource.