The two leading senior housing associations the Assisted Living Federation of America and the American Seniors Housing Association are considering an agreement that would merge the two into a single organization, SHN has learned.
In January meeting minutes obtained by Senior Housing News, ASHA detailed a discussion of a proposed merger coined the “One Voice Initiative,” that has been ongoing since March 2013. Under the initiative, the associations are considering an agreement to merge and have created a task force toward that effort.
The new organization would cover public policy, standards, credentials, and accrediditaiton, education and research, among other initiatives as the standalone entities currently do.
The task force, with advice from an independent third party, is also discussing how the organization would be governed, how its dues would be structured, and what its meeting schedule would cover. An independent search firm has been hired by the committee to find a new Chief Executive Officer to run the organization, with both Rick Grimes, the current President/CEO of ALFA, as well as David Schless, current President of ASHA, being considered potential candidates.
The new organization may also align more closely with the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care Industry on research initiatives, according to the documents obtained by SHN.
While both ASHA and ALFA declined to comment on the proposed merger, sources close to the organizations say the proposed merger will be voted on at each of the associations’ spring meetings.
Written by Elizabeth Ecker
