15a. Program Overview
What Prompted HUD to Implement a Service Coordinator in Multifamily Housing Program?
Congress created HUD’s Service Coordinator Program through the National Affordable Housing Act, Section 808 (Public Law 101-625). This law gave HUD the authority to use Section 8 funds to employ Service Coordinators in Section 202 housing.
The Service Coordinator Program received additional authority through the 1992 Housing and Community Development Act (HCDA) (Public Law 102-550). HCDA expanded the program by broadening authority for funding of Service Coordinators in most HUD assisted and conventional public housing developments designated for the elderly and people with disabilities. HCDA also described key functions of a Service Coordinator’s job, stipulated mandatory training requirements and gave examples of types of supportive services needed by residents. Costs associated with providing supportive services is an eligible cost under Project Rental Assistance Contract (PRAC). This cost can include the costs associated with employing a service coordinator.
For more information, visit the SCMF Program page on HUD’s website.
Which Multifamily Housing Programs Are Eligible to Apply for Service Coordinator Funding?
The Service Coordinator Program provides funding for the employment of Service Coordinators in insured and assisted multifamily housing. A Service Coordinator is a social service staff person hired or contracted by the development’s owner or property manager. This authority was added in Section 851 of the American Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-569). There is no specific statutory authority for Service Coordinators within projects other than in projects with units designated for the elderly or families with members with disabilities. [MAH.8.3]
Eligible properties must be designed or designated for the elderly or persons with disabilities and continue to operate as such. This includes any building within a mixed-use development that was designed for occupancy by elderly persons or persons with disabilities at its inception and continues to operate as such, or consistent with Title VI, subtitle D of the Housing and Community Development Act of 1992 (Public Law 102-550). If not so designed, a property in which the owner gives preferences in tenant selection (with HUD approval) to eligible elderly persons or nonelderly persons with disabilities for all units in that property.
The table below lists the Multifamily Housing programs that are eligible for SCMF funding:
| Multifamily Housing Programs Eligible for SCMF funding: |
|---|
|
Project-based Section 8:
Section 202:
Section 236 insured or assisted Section 221(d)(3) below-market interest rate (BMIR) insured or assisted |
Service Coordinators play a critical key role in helping to foster a housing plus supportive service environment that allows vulnerable persons to live independently and remain in their communities. HUD expects that the Service Coordinator will:
- Shift away from the “refer and link” approach and towards a proactive and collaborative approach
- Assess residents’ needs; help identify, access and coordinate services and monitor receipt and follow through of services
- Seek to establish and sustain strong coordination that help residents to identify and effectively manage their preventative health and social service needs
- Create and sustain partnerships with community based supportive service providers, hospitals, health agencies service providers and other community stakeholders.