WASHINGTON, D.C. – This morning, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced the availability of $40 million in grant funding for both new service coordinators and to increase the hours of existing service coordinators, marking the first time in 10 years that affordable housing properties can apply for new service coordinator grants. With these funds, eligible properties can ensure their vulnerable populations have access to the community resources they need to remain healthy, happy, and housed.
This expansion in funding is a direct result of federal advocacy by AASC as well as its members and partners. As a result of this advocacy, Congress has recognized the growing need of supportive affordable housing and the necessary expansion of the successful service coordinator program.
“Service Coordinators are an essential piece of the affordable housing puzzle that every community is facing across the country,” said AASC President & CEO Michelle Missler. “Providing vulnerable populations with dedicated onsite support to access community resources keeps families, seniors, veterans, and disabled populations healthy, living independently, and safely in their communities. We are grateful that HUD recognizes how important and successful service coordinators are in the equation.”
HUD anticipates awarding up to 160 three-year grants to eligible applicants – including properties that receive assistance through Section 202, Project-Based Section 8 and Section 221 programs. See HUD’s Notice of Funding Opportunity for complete details about eligibility and application guidelines. Applications are due by March 11, 2024.
To support owners and agents applying for new grants, AASC has created a toolkit of resources aimed at simplifying the funding request process for both new and existing service coordinator grants.
In the toolkit, applicants will find an explanation of service coordinator program costs and an example annual budget. It also features a comprehensive state-by-state guide to employing service coordinators, which includes average hourly wages and qualification data collected from 1,500 service coordinators across the nation – from AASC’s 2023 Salary Survey.