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HUD AWARDS $54.3 MILLION TO CONVERT EXISTING MULTIFAMILY HOUSING INTO ASSISTED LIVING FACILITIES
Funding to Aid Seniors Across the County

WASHINGTON - Elderly Americans in twelve states will soon find themselves living in upgraded apartments equipped to meet their physical needs thanks to $54.3 million in grants from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. HUD today announced grants to help convert existing multifamily projects into assisted living facilities for the elderly.

"These grants will provide an affordable option to nursing home placement for the elderly," said HUD Secretary Mel Martinez. "This will allow some elderly to live their lives in familiar surroundings and remain independent and not be prematurely displaced to nursing homes."

Assisted living facilities are designed to accommodate low-income elderly and persons with disabilities who can live independently but need assistance with activities of daily living, such as assistance with eating, bathing, grooming, dressing and home management activities. These affordable facilities provide support services such as personal care, transportation, meals, housekeeping, and laundry.

Since the funds awarded under the Assisted Living Conversion Program do not cover the costs of these services, the project owners must provide the service funds either directly or through a third party. The projects receiving funding today will be providing services through a number of sources including their State Home Health Care programs, State Assisted Living Services funds, Congregate Housing Services Program funds, Service Coordinator funds and/or private grants and donations.

The grants were awarded on a competitive basis. During the review process, items taken into consideration included: the extent to which the conversion is needed by the persons that the project is intended to serve; the quality and effectiveness of the proposal in addressing the proposed conversion including the meals and supportive services which the project intends to provide; the ability of the project owner to secure other community resources which can be combined with the grant to achieve the program's purposes; as well as the capacity of the project owner to carry out the conversion in a timely and effective manner.

The owners are responsible for ensuring that converted units meet all local standards, codes and regulations governing assisted living facilities. The projects must also be licensed and regulated by the appropriate governing body.

The following listing provides a breakdown by state of the total dollar amounts that were awarded to various multifamily development owners throughout the country from today's grant announcement:

HUD is the nation's housing agency committed to increasing homeownership, particularly among minorities, creating affordable housing opportunities for low-income Americans, supporting the homeless, elderly, people with disabilities and people living with AIDS. The Department also promotes economic and community development as well as enforces the nation's fair housing laws. More information about HUD and its programs is available on the Internet at www.hud.gov.

Note to editors: Individual project summaries