Each year HUD offers grant monies to owners of HUD assisted housing, enabling them to hire a Service Coordinator to serve their residents.  Service Coordinator grants are made for an initial three-year term and provide funding for the salary, fringe benefits, and related administrative costs associated with employing a Service Coordinator. HUD awards grants to owners of HUD assisted multifamily housing, namely developments built with or subsidized by the following programs: Section 202, project-based Section 8, Section 236 and Section 221(d)(3) Below-Market Interest Rate. All housing must be designed or designated for sole occupancy by elderly persons (aged 62 and older) and/or younger people with disabilities (aged 18 to 61).

Service Coordinators are primarily involved with the following types of activities:

Provide case management and information and referral services   Educate residents on available services and benefits and on tenancy issues   Establish linkages with community agencies   Monitor provision of service

Advocate for residents   Educate housing management staff   Work with resident organizations   Help residents set up informal support networks   Educate housing management staff   Set up volunteer programs

Service Coordinators cannot act as recreational or activities directors; provide supportive services directly, or assist with other administrative work that is normally associated with housing operations.

Service Coordinator funds can be used for the following types of expenses:

Salary   Fringe benefits   Quality Assurance   Training

Travel   Creation of private office space   Computer hardware, software, and Internet service   Office furniture and supplies

Service Coordinator funds may not be used for the following types of expenses:

Supervision performed by property management staff (Management fees already pay for such supervision)   Usual audit and legal fees   Application preparation and submission   Increasing management fees   Service Coordinator-related training courses for property management staff who do not directly provide Service Coordination. Owners must use their management fees to pay this expense   Food and beverage

Gifts to residents/or staff   Any costs associated with parties or meals (even for residents)   Restaurant meals/travel not associated with approved training and/or not included in the approved budget   Computer hardware/software or other equipment not used/required by the Service Coordinator   Or any other cost as defined by 2 CFR Part 200

HUD plans to provide extension funding to these grants, beyond the initial three-year term, but the ability to do so is always dependent upon annual Congressional appropriations.