Supportive housing
Federal funding for developing or preserving supportive housing
Supportive housing refers to affordable units that provide additional services to residents with special needs to facilitate independent living. These services may include medical care, transportation, personal care, and case management. Supportive housing allows older adults and persons with disabilities to receive appropriate support while remaining in their homes and integrated into the community, providing an important alternative to institutional care. Nonprofit organizations often sponsor supportive housing projects but these may also be led by public entities such as Public Housing Authorities.
Partnering with service providers. Supportive housing often requires a partnership between a housing organization responsible for developing and operating the units and a service provider that delivers on-site support to residents. Common service providers include hospitals and health clinics, faith-based organizations, and other charitable organizations. Project sponsors should consider how to engage experienced service providers who can deliver a range of services to meet the needs of the target population.
Securing funding for services. Two of the largest federal programs for supportive housing, Section 811 and Section 202, do not allow program funds to be spent on services, which means project sponsors may need to seek non-housing funds from other federal, state, and local sources to support them. For example, many Section 811 and Section 202 properties provide healthcare services funded through Medicare and Medicaid.
For more information on this topic, see Meeting the Housing and Service Needs of Older Adults and People with Disabilities.