The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) updated guidance for supportive services programs at properties for low-income seniors. These updates are meant to reinforce the importance of the required supportive service programs and the allowable uses of supportive services funds to support independent living for seniors.

“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. “Today’s guidance reinforces the importance we place on supporting the health and well-being of seniors living independently in rental homes that receive contract rental assistance from HUD.”

The guidance is issued for owners of properties participating in project-based rental assistance contracts under HUD’s Multifamily Section 202 Supportive Housing for Low-Income Elderly program. It includes details for the provision of individual services (i.e. meal programs) and transportation, health, and wellness programs for the entire community at a property.

The updates address the scope, content, and timeline for supportive services plans when property owners develop new or update existing ones. They also clarify that service funds may be used to benefit the community as a whole even when full resident participation does not significantly increase the operating budget of a property or adversely affect the operation of the program.

“We are issuing this guidance today based on input from owners participating in the Section 202 PRAC program,” Deputy Assistant Secretary for Multifamily Housing Ethan Handelman said. “These owners requested more details from HUD on how best to plan and execute effective services programs for residents at their properties while ensuring they are using funds in compliance with our requirements. 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.”