Statutes
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). The 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. The law described key functions of a Service Coordinator's job and gave examples of types of supportive services needed by residents. The HCDA also stipulated mandatory training requirements.
Section 851 of the American Homeownership and Economic Opportunity Act of 2000 (Public Law 106-569) amended the HCDA. The primary modification to the program now allows Service Coordinators to assist "low-income elderly or disabled families living in the vicinity…" of a HUD assisted housing site.
Regulations
Management of the Service Coordinator program must be in accordance with the OMB's Uniform Administrative Requirements, Cost Principles, and Audit Requirements for Federal Awards (commonly called "Uniform Guidance"). Officially implemented in December 2014, the Uniform Guidance is a government-wide framework for grants management - supersedes guidance from earlier OMB circulars.
In addition, owners and managing agents wanting to use Section 8 or PRAC funds, residual receipts, or excess income should also reference the following guidance:
- Notice H 12-14 "Use of "New Regulation" Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments (HAP) Contracts Residual Receipts to Offset Project-Based Section 8 Housing Assistance Payments
- Residual receipts "new reg" FAQ for Housing Notice 2012-14
- Notice H 03-13 "Guidelines for Calculating and Retaining Section 236 Excess Income"
- Notice H 96-84 "Uses of Residual Receipts by Owners of Certain Nonprofit Projects with Mortgages Insured or Held by HUD"
- Notice H 95-9 Extension of Notice H 94-5, Residual Receipts and Reserve for Replacements Accounts in Section 202 Projects.
- SC grantees are responsible for meeting program requirements set forth in the Notices of Funding Availability (NOFAs) through which they were funded and the controlling grant agreements.
Handbooks
Multifamily Asset Management and Project Servicing Handbook 4350.1, Chapters 4, 7, 25, and 34
HUD's Management Agent Handbook 4381.5, Chapter 8, provides the procedures for requesting Service Coordinator funding, and for operating a program in HUD assisted housing. It also provides the requirements and recommended course work for statutorily mandated Service Coordinator training and continuing education.