September 15, 2022 Washington, DC — As new legislation supporting vital service coordinator roles in affordable housing is introduced, LeadingAge, the association of nonprofit providers of aging services, continues to urge the Department of Housing and Urban Development to release Congressionally appropriated funds. 

The Expanding Service Coordinators Act, introduced today by Congressman Adam Smith (D-WA), would authorize funding for at least 350 new service coordinators, ensure funding for training, require a GAO study on rural service coordinators, and encourage HUD to include service coordinators at all newly constructed communities. 

“Service coordinators in affordable housing communities for low income older adults help residents access vital services that allow residents to live independently–from transportation to physician appointments to critical help, such as assistance with Medicaid programs. Research shows that in communities with service coordinators, residents’ use of more expensive taxpayer-funded health care programs is reduced,” said Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO, LeadingAge. “Yet, despite service coordinators’ proven value, funding for these roles has, for too long, been meager. Mission-driven affordable senior housing providers, including thousands of LeadingAge members, are eager to increase service coordinators’ numbers throughout their communities.”

LeadingAge is grateful for Representative Smith’s introduction of the Expanding Service Coordinators Act, however Sloan also notes that for this legislation to be impactful, the funding must reach affordable housing providers promptly, following Congress’ appropriation. 

LeadingAge continues to push HUD to release appropriated calendar year 2022 funding for the national Service Coordination program and take steps to improve program administration in the future. In an Aug. 25 2022 letter, LeadingAge told HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge that delays in delivering funding to community providers are forcing property owners across the country to disrupt access to services for HUD-assisted older adults by laying off service coordinators, discontinuing programming, delaying building repairs to free up funding, and threatening property operations to make ends meet.   

“America’s low-income older adults deserve better than unacceptable delays that jeopardize their access to needed help. Affordable housing communities stand ready to deliver the vital support that only service coordinators provide. But that can only happen if HUD takes action,” said Sloan. 

We represent more than 5,000 nonprofit aging services providers and other mission-minded organizations that touch millions of lives every day. Alongside our members and 38 state partners, we use applied research, advocacy, education, and community-building to make America a better place to grow old. Our membership, which now includes the providers of the Visiting Nurse Associations of America, encompasses the continuum of services for people as they age, including those with disabilities. We bring together the most inventive minds in the field to lead and innovate solutions that support older adults wherever they call home. For more information visit leadingage.org.