The
Congregate Housing Services Act of 1978(Title IV of the Housing and
Community Development Amendments of 1978 (P.L. 95-557, 42 USC. 8001)
authorized HUD to enter into three to five-year grants/contracts with
eligible Public Housing Agencies and Section 202 borrowers to provide
meals and other supportive services to eligible project residents.
The Congregate Housing Services Program
(CHSP) was among the first initiatives developed by the Federal Government
to provide a comprehensive housing and supportive services package
within a subsidized housing environment. In the first year of funding,
1979, HUD awarded $10 million to 28 grant recipients.
Eligible
CHSP services are those whichh assist the frail elderly, non-elderly
people with disabilities, and temporarily disabled individuals to
live independently and prevent premature or unnecessary Institutionalization.
These services may include service coordination, hot meals served
in a congregate setting, personal assistance, housekeeping, transportation,
preventative health/wellness programs, and personal emergency response
systems. Grantees work with Professional Assessment Committees (PACs),
whose members evaluate resident needs and recommend appropriate
services.
Over
the last 30 years, CHSP funds have enabled tens of thousands of
low-income elderly individuals and people with disabilities to enjoy
a quality of life and achieve a degree of independence that would
otherwise not have been possible. Today, 51 public housing agencies
and private assisted housing owners administer 63 grants, having
been in operation from 13 to 29 years. Each year Congress appropriates
new funds to extend existing programs - assuring that the frail
elderly and people with disabilities can count on continuation of
the valuable services they receive.
It's
been a rocky road, though. The CHSP was conceived as a demonstration
program and funds were appropriated and awarded in 1979 and in the
early 1980s. Annual funding amounts supported these grants beyond
their initial grant terms.
After
a decade of successful program operation, Congress revised the CHSP,
making it a categorical grant program and mandating several additional
program requirements through Section 802 of the National Affordable
Housing Act of 1990, (P.L. 101-625, 42 USC. 8011), as amended by
the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (P.L. 102-550,
42 USC 1437). Among the changes to the program were a 50 percent
match from the grantee; participant fees that equal at least 10%
of the total program cost; eligibility of Rural Housing Service
(RHS) and HUD assisted housing projects serving the elderly and
disabled; a "joint" program administration with RHS, and
a regulation (24 Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Part 700 for
HUD projects and 7 CFR 1944 for RHS projects). New grants were awarded
under this revised program in 1993 and 1994. Although the program
originally received an appropriation in 1995, all of HUD's funds
were rescinded before awards were made and only one grant was made
that year to one RHS project.
After
1995, competing needs and a feeling that HUD should provide housing
and not services resulted in no further funding for new grants.
Over the last 12 years, as throughout the history of the CHSP, Congress
has recognized the benefit of the currently operating programs and
has kept them going with annual extension funding.
In
the 1990s, 92 grantee organizations were operating programs and
an evaluation
study of the program highlighted program successes and the benefits
to both participants and the Federal government. But the additional
requirements created in 1990; wavering interest in the program and
changes in available state and local government funds for such services
have taken a toll over time.
The
existing grantees have demonstrated their commitment to their residents
and have recognized the ongoing value of the program. They have
continued through changes in funding amounts and uncertainty in
the future availability of grant funds. They have developed strong
working relationships with state and local government agencies and
community-based organizations that contribute matching resources.
They have formed lasting bonds with their residents who truly appreciate
the quality of life that they enjoy.
So
it is with high regard and many thanks that HUD congratulates the
existing CHSP programs and looks forward to working together with
these grantees in the future!
HUD
asked grantees to voluntarily send in a description of their program
along with photos. Please read the accounts that follow. Contact
information is provided for each grantee organization and you may
contact them to inquire about the availability of housing and CHSP
services. Keep in mind, however, that these housing organizations
may have long waiting lists for available units and CHSP services.
|
Alpha Phi Alpha Homes, Inc.- Akron,
OH |
|
Bell House, Inc.- Greensboro,
NC |
|
Bethany Homes Inc.- Haverhill,
MA |
|
Housing Authority of the
City of Bloomington- Bloomington, IL |
|
Cincinnati Metropolitan Housing Authority-
Cincinnati, OH |
|
Advent Christian Village -
Dowling Park, FL |
|
Falls City Housing Authority-
Falls City, NE |
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Hale Mahaolu- Kahului,
Maui, HI |
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Opportunities for the Retarded,
Inc.(HELEMANO)-Wahiawa, HI |
|
Jewish Community Housing for the
Elderly-Brighton, MA |
|
Jewish Apartments & Services-
Oak Park, MI |
|
Juniper Hill Village-
Storrs, CT |
|
Kinneret Apartments- Orlando,
FL |
|
Laconia Housing Authority-
Laconia, NH |
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Lincoln Area Agency on Aging-
Lincoln, NE |
|
Manchester Housing and Redevelopment
Authority - Manchester, NH |
|
Housing Authority of the City
of Old Town- Old Town, ME |
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Orange Grove Center- Chattanooga,
TN |
|
Housing Authority of Plainfield-
Plainfield, NJ |
|
Housing Authority of Portland-Portland,
OR |
|
Restoration Towers- Detroit,
MI |
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Riverview Towers Apartments - Pittsburg,
PA
|
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South St. Paul Housing and Redevelopment
Authority - South St. Paul, MN |
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Village de Memoire I Apartments-
Ville Platte, LA |
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