The Expanding Service Coordinators Act, introduced Thursday by Rep. Adam Smith (D-WA) would authorize funding for at least 350 new service coordinators, provide funding for training, require a Government Accountability Office study on rural service coordinators, and encourage the Department of Housing and Urban Development to include service coordinators at all newly constructed affordable housing communities.
Research has found that service coordinators can keep residents healthier and save the health system money, according to Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO of LeadingAge.
“Service coordinators in affordable housing communities for low-income older adults help residents access vital services that allow residents to live independently — from transportation to physician appointments to critical help, such as assistance with Medicaid programs,” she said. “Yet despite service coordinators’ proven value, funding for these roles has, for too long, been meager. Mission-driven affordable senior housing providers, including thousands of LeadingAge members, are eager to increase service coordinators’ numbers throughout their communities.”
The legislation would provide millions of dollars to improve the capacity and retention of the nation’s service coordinator workforce, according to LeadingAge. Specifically, it would:
- Authorize an additional $100 million each year for five years to the Multi-Family Housing Service Coordinator program.
- Authorize $45 million each year for five years for the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency service coordinator program.
- Establish a training set-aside to improve capacity and retention of service coordinators.
- Extend qualification for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to service coordinators.
- Direct the GAO to report on the availability and work of service coordinators in rural areas.
For the legislation to have an impact, Sloan said, the funding would need to reach affordable housing providers promptly following appropriation by Congress.
