H.R. 5057: Expanding Service Coordinators Act of 2025

This bill, titled the "Expanding Service Coordinators Act of 2025," aims to enhance and expand programs that provide service coordinators in federally assisted housing projects. The main components of the bill include:

Expansion of Service Coordinator Programs

The bill amends existing law to broaden the scope of federally assisted housing projects that can employ service coordinators. Key points include:

• Eligible projects will not be subjected to additional requirements to receive funding for service coordinators.
• Service coordinators must receive annual training funding of at least $2,500 and report on their training activities.
• Applicants for service coordinator grants are not required to exhaust previous available funds before applying.
• The bill proposes to allocate $225 million annually for five years (2026-2030) to support these programs.

Responsibilities and Functions of Service Coordinators

Service coordinators are designed to assist residents in accessing various supportive services that promote housing stability and well-being. Their responsibilities include:

• Assessing resident needs in collaboration with housing project owners and service providers.
• Coordinating or managing the provision of supportive services.
• Facilitating education for tenants to improve their access to programs aimed at enhancing their well-being.
• Meeting set minimum training and experience requirements as established by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development.

Grants for Service Coordinators

The bill establishes a competitive grant program to support the hiring of service coordinators. Relevant aspects include:

• Grants can be awarded for a period of three years, with eligible applicants being property owners in good standing with housing authorities.
• Funds can be used for salaries, training, and administrative costs related to coordinating services.
• Priority for grants will be given to properties serving elderly or disabled residents or located in areas of persistent poverty.

Public Service Loan Forgiveness

The bill includes provisions to expand eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to service coordinators working in recognized programs, thereby incentivizing individuals to pursue careers in this field.

Funding for Public and Indian Housing Services

In addition to service coordinators, the bill designates $45 million annually from 2026 to 2030 to improve funding for programs assisting residents in public and Indian housing.

Grants through Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)

A program will be created to allocate 150 grants to eligible properties for funding service coordinators, with a set budget of $37 million for the first year.

Rural Housing Service Coordinator Grant Program

The bill establishes a similar grant program specifically targeting rural housing projects and proposes a budget of $10 million annually to fund these initiatives. This program aims to support service coordinator efforts in rural settings.

Autonomy for Residents

Importantly, the bill clarifies that no resident of a federally assisted housing project must be mandated to accept services provided by a service coordinator, ensuring their autonomy in decision-making.

Authorization of Appropriations

Overall, the bill seeks to authorize significant funding over several years to support the enhanced role and effectiveness of service coordinators. This includes funding for training and operational aspects critical to the success of the service coordination model.

Relevant Companies

None found