[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 74 (Wednesday, June 14, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1005]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




         THE ELDERLY HOUSING + HEALTH SUPPORT DEMONSTRATION ACT

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                         HON. GREGORY W. MEEKS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, June 14, 2000

  Mr. MEEKS of New York. Mr. Speaker, elderly and disabled Americans in 
the United States currently face a dire problem--inadequate public 
housing. Approximately 40% of HUD's 1.3 million public housing units 
are occupied by the Elderly and the Disabled who are paying in excess 
of half their income towards rent. Public housing apartment buildings 
have amassed a back-log of $5.7 billion in needed repairs. Nearly two-
thirds of the buildings were constructed prior to 1970 and have 
frequently been passed over for modernization due to inadequate 
appropriations. Many of these public housing units need significant 
upgrading to meet basic safety and comfort standards in order to comply 
with the Americans with Disabilities Act. Upgrading these units creates 
opportunities to bring supportive health and other services to help 
residents age with mobility and avoid costly and depressitig 
institutionalization.
  The Elderly Housing + Health Support Demonstration Act seeks to meet 
these aims by providing competitive awards to Public Housing Agencies 
(PHAS) for the most innovative proposals to address the soaring needs 
of the Elderly and Disabled to have access to health-related supportive 
and congregate housing services. Specifically, the bill provides: (a) 
$250 million of capital funding for physical rehabilitation of the 
building and installation of facilities for health-related services; 
(b) a pool of up to $10 million (maximum grant to a selected PHA is 
$400,000) for service coordinator funds; and (c) $15 million (maximum 
grant to a selected PHA is $750,000) for congregate housing services. 
The total cost of this demonstration grant program is $275 million.
  Please join me in co-sponsoring The Elderly Housing + Health Support 
Demonstration Act. Upgrading public housing and providing a continuum 
of care will enable Elderly and Disabled public housing residents to 
have a quality assisted-living environment, a viable health care 
system, and an independent life. This program has the additional 
benefit of providing much needed cost savings and preventing premature 
institutionalization of one of our most vulnerable populations.

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