The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) announced the expansion of a partnership established earlier this year to improve access to affordable, accessible housing and the critical services that make community living possible.

The partners also announced the launch of a national Housing and Services Resource Center (HSRC) as the hub of this coordinated federal effort.

Within HHS, this partnership is led by the Administration for Community Living. It includes the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, and the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Planning and Evaluation.

Many people with disabilities, older adults, and people experiencing homelessness need help obtaining housing that is both affordable and accessible.  Many also need access to community-based supportive services – such as behavioral health services, personal care assistance, tenancy supports, accessible transportation, and home-delivered meals – in order to live successfully and stably in the community.  Without housing and services that meets their needs, they are often left with no choice but to live in facilities, like nursing homes and homeless shelters, or on the streets.

In every state and community, there are a number of entities and programs helping people access housing and supportive services. Too often, however, the housing and service systems are siloed.  On the other hand, stronger collaboration between these systems would enable states and communities to coordinate resources to help older adults, people with disabilities and people experiencing homelessness achieve housing stability, live with dignity and independence in the community, and avoiding homelessness and costly institutional care.

The Housing and Services Resource Center will implement a federally coordinated approach to providing resources, program guidance, training, and technical assistance to public housing authorities and housing providers; state Medicaid, disability, aging and behavioral health agencies; the aging and disability networks; homeless services organizations and networks; health care systems and providers; and tribal organizations.

Please check out the resource center for details.