The Department of Housing and Urban Development updated guidance this month aimed at enhancing the use of supportive programs for seniors living in Section 202 housing.
“Section 202 provides a sensible and necessary approach to meeting our nation’s growing affordable housing needs for seniors, and it is the only federally funded program expressly aimed at doing so,” a group of legislators led by Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) wrote to the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development in May.
HUD’s recent guidance applies to owners of properties participating in project-based rental assistance contracts under the department’s Multifamily Section 202 Supportive Housing for Low-Income Elderly program. It includes details for providing individual services such as meal programs, and services such as transportation and health and wellness programs that can benefit the entire community at a property.
“Supportive services that facilitate independent senior living, increase safe socialization opportunities, and provide health and wellness benefits are a key component of our efforts to provide and expand deeply affordable rental housing for the nation’s low-income senior population,” Assistant Secretary for Housing and Federal Housing Commissioner Julia Gordon said in a statement.
“We will continue working with owners as they develop or renew plans that support both individual residents and the communities within a property that are so often one of the social lifelines for seniors,” Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing Ethan Handelman added.
In other business, HUD announced Monday $5.6 billion in funding that will go to 1,200 communities through more than 2,400 grants to states, urban counties, insular areas of the United States, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and local organizations across the country.
“This funding allows communities to address their most pressing local needs, providing flexible resources to build homes, support renters and homeowners, provide life-saving assistance to people experiencing homelessness, and improve public facilities, community resilience, and local economies,” Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary for Community Planning and Development Marion McFadden said in a statement.
