June 29, 2007

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contacts: Sarah Mashburn, AAHSA, (202) 508-9492

AAHSA Applauds Introduction of Legislation to Improve Section 202 Program

Washington, D.C. – The American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging’s (AAHSA) President and CEO Larry Minnix applauded the introduction of H.R. 2930, the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Act of 2007 by Rep. Tim Mahoney (D-Fla.). Congress Mahoney serves on the House Financial Services Committee, which oversees U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development-sponsored affordable senior housing.

Once passed, this legislation will strengthen the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Section 202 Supporting Housing for the Elderly Program by streamlining the development and refinancing processes. Over 300,000 very low-income seniors currently rely on Section 202 for affordable, safe, supportive housing and yet there is still a large unmet need. AARP has estimated that there are ten seniors waiting for every Section 202 unit that becomes available.

H.R. 2930 will make the Section 202 development process more efficient, particularly when the Section 202 grant is combined with Low Income Housing Tax Credits. This bill will also make it easier to preserve existing, older Section 202 properties more by reforming a refinancing process that is unnecessarily restrictive, complicated and time consuming.

"We commend Rep. Mahoney for recognizing that our country must invest in affordable housing to ensure that seniors can find the affordable, safe and secure housing that they deserve." Minnix said. "AAHSA and its members call on Congress to support this legislation and help all of America's seniors have a place to call home."

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About AAHSA
The members of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (www.aahsa.org) help millions of individuals and their families every day through mission-driven, not-for-profit organizations dedicated to providing the services that people need, when they need them, in the place they call home. Our 5,800 member organizations, many of which have served their communities for generations, offer the continuum of aging services: adult day services, home health, community services, senior housing, assisted living residences, continuing care retirement communities and nursing homes. AAHSA’s commitment is to create the future of aging services through quality people can trust.