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Press Room

NAHRO Commends Sen. Sarbanes' Legislation to Better Coordinate Senior Housing Needs

Contact: Liz Hennessy, 202-289-3500 ext. 280

WASHINGTON, April 14 --The National Association of Housing and Redevelopment Officials (NAHRO) enthusiastically supports a bill recently introduced by Sen. Paul Sarbanes (D-Md.) that would establish an Interagency Council on Housing and Service Needs of Seniors. The legislation would help coordinate housing programs and related services and health care for seniors so that they have access to services to help them remain independent for as long as possible.

Developing effective coordination between the numerous federal agencies involved with housing, services and health care for seniors is vitally important to low-income, frail elderly and their families. Not only do effective linkages between housing, services and health care respond to consumer preferences, but they are cost-effective with significant savings to older persons and taxpayers at the state, local, and national levels.

"Senior citizens have unique housing needs that include not only decent, affordable homes, but also supportive services that help them stay in place as they age," NAHRO Executive Director Saul Ramirez said. "Current programs for seniors are effective, but disjointed-an interagency council will help government agencies work together to coordinate services and provide seamless aid to seniors where they need it most: in their homes."

NAHRO believes that the proposed Interagency Council will be helpful with inter- and intra-agency collaboration in addressing a number of critical needs of older persons residing in public and federally assisted housing and those using Housing Choice Vouchers. Possible areas of collaboration include: a) options for the conversion of existing senior housing units to affordable assisted living; b) linking residents with community based services through actions by service coordinators in public and federally assisted senior housing; c) and forging partnerships between senior housing and health care, such as the co-location of public housing with PACE and Shelter Plus Care programs.

NAHRO commends Sen. Sarbanes for his leadership in the establishment of the Interagency Council on Housing and Service Needs of Seniors.