The National Center for Assisted Living (NCAL) has endorsed the re-introduction of the Expanding Service Coordinators Act, which would make critical investments and reforms to expand the service coordinator programs to serve more people in federally assisted housing. U.S. House Representative Adam Smith (D-Wash.) re-introduced this important legislation alongside Representatives Joyce Beatty (D-Ohio) and Suzanne Bonamici (D-Ore.). Specifically, the bill would:
- Authorize $225 million annually (FY2026–FY2030) for covered service coordinator programs, including Section 202 properties, and continue existing congregate service grants.
- Create new three-year grant programs for service coordinators in Section 202 housing (HUD) and Section 515 rural housing (USDA), with priorities for properties serving elderly or disabled residents and those in persistent poverty or underserved rural areas.
- Authorize $45 million annually (FY2026–FY2030) for the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) Service Coordinator Program in public and Indian housing.
- Provide $37 million in FY2026 through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to award 150 grants to Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties to fund service coordinators.
- Require a $2,500 annual training set-aside for each service coordinator and mandate annual reporting on training completed.
- Extend eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to service coordinators and protect grantees from new HUD requirements outside standard reporting, monitoring, and compliance.
Service coordinators help individuals navigate the complicated web of social services that can make the difference between a resident sinking or thriving as Rep. Smith noted in his press statement on this legislation.
NCAL is also making affordable assisted living a priority and working on ways to ensure individuals most in need have access to these important care providers.