H.R. 6602 - The Affordable Resident Services Act

Background

The COVID-19 pandemic magnified the isolation and lack of supportive services that can exist in low-income housing when resident services are not available or are inadequate. While the federal government invests in building housing for low-income families and seniors, there are currently very few dedicated funding sources for supportive services for these residents.

Legislation creating reliable funding sources for supportive services:

Rep. Pete Aguilar’s bill, the Affordable Housing Resident Services Act, will bridge the gap between the need for resident services and reliable funding sources. This bill will establish a 5-year demonstration grant program under the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to provide funding each year to owners of affordable housing properties to offer supportive services for their residents. The Secretary of HUD, in coordination with the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS), will distribute $300 million of new authorized funding from the Social Services Block Grant and Community Services Block Grant. By funding affordable housing entities, many agencies across the nation could greatly enhance their resident services over the coming decade.

Specifically, owners of affordable housing properties can use this grant funding to support services including:

  • After-school programs for children and teenagers,
  • Educational opportunities for youth and adult residents,
  • Mental health, alcohol and addiction treatment,
  • Self-sufficiency resources,
  • Resources on future home ownership,
  • Financial literacy training,
  • Elderly care,
  • Assistance to residents with disabilities, and
  • Other community services.

This bill will address one of the most significant gaps in federal housing policy by ensuring affordable housing properties have funding to provide supportive services for their residents. This funding will help families become self-sufficient, further their education, access health care services, provide after school programs and help seniors age in place.

Join us by signing-on and adding your organization’s name to endorse the Affordable Housing Resident Services Act of 2022

Endorsements: National CORE, Affordable Housing Tax Credit Coalition (AHTCC), Corporation for Supportive Housing (CSH), Hope through Housing Foundation, Housing Partnership Network (HPN), National Leased Housing Association, Southern California Association of Nonprofit Housing (SCANPH)

 

 

BECAUSE OF YOU

we are making a difference in the lives of children, families and seniors living in poverty. Together, we transform lives and communities.

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