News Article

Consumer Voice Submits Comments on HUD Proposed Rules

January 20, 2015

Consumer Voice recently submitted comments on the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s proposed rules regarding Supportive Housing and Services for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities.  Comments focused on the new regulations for Service Coordinators in the Multifamily Housing program and the Assisted Living Conversion program.  A service coordinator is a social service staff person hired or contracted by the housing development's owner or management company. The service coordinator is responsible for assuring that elderly residents, especially those who are frail or at risk, and those non-elderly residents with disabilities are linked to the specific supportive services they need to continue living independently in that housing development. Consumer Voice’s comments called for explicitly including problem resolution and advocacy as defined duties for coordinators and requiring them to receive a minimum number of hours of initial training and continuing education.  In addition, we supported promulgating rules for the Assisted Living Conversion program in order to create greater certainty and predictability for housing owners who are part of the assisted living conversion program. Currently, the program is operated through Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs). Consumer Voice believes that regulations would provide increased stability that would encourage more owners to participate in the assisted living program, making affordable assisted living facilities more available. Our comments can be read here.