The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced earlier this month that more than $32 million in FY 2010 funds have been made available to increase access to health care for Americans living in rural areas. The funds reach across seven programs administered by the Office of Rural Health Policy in HHS’ Health Resources [...]

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The U.S. Housing and Urban Development (HUD)recently announced that 100 affordable housing developments, including 8,112 homes, around the country have been awarded more than $100 million to complete energy efficient renovations with Recovery Act funds.  Some of the grants went to retrofit senior housing projects in Chicago, Illinois, Burlington, Vermont and Revere, Massachusetts.  The awards [...]

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National Church Residences (NCR) recently announced that was been awarded over $7.9 million through the Assisted Living Conversion Program (ALCP) of the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD) to convert two of NCR’s existing Ohio affordable senior housing facilities to affordable assisted living communities.  Hopeton Village in Chillicothe will receive $3.9 million in [...]

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The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently announced grants that will provide $106 million in funding for Nursing Workforce Development and $29 million for interdisciplinary geriatric education and training programs.  A total of 85 awards will fund three geriatric education and training programs at accredited health professions schools that include:

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The Senate Banking Committee recently voted to approve the Livable Communities Act, a proposal to create more sustainable and energy-efficient communities. The bill, sponsored by Chairman Christopher Dodd, provides a series of planning and project implementation grants for communities to help plan and coordinate initiatives to develop affordable housing and public transit solutions. 

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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently charged a Denver condominium association with violating the Fair Housing Act by discriminating against families with children under the age of 18. According to HUD’s charge (link below), Windsor Gardens Association allegedly maintained discriminatory restrictions and published discriminatory statements and advertisements that limited or denied [...]

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The annual report released by the Social Security Board of Trustees examining the financial health of the Social Security Trust Funds outlines a stable long-range outlook.  The combined assets of the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance, and Disability Insurance (OASDI) Trust Funds will be exhausted in 2037, the same as projected last year and the report [...]

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Governor Pat Quinn last week signed historic legislation that transforms Illinois’ system of care for frail older adults and persons with disabilities.  The Governor signed two new laws, Senate Bill 326 and Senate Bill 2863, that improve the lives of current and future nursing home residents and are based upon recent research, investigations and deliberation [...]

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A new grant solicitation issued last week by the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced the availability of $2.25 billion in grants to states to expand the Money Follows the Person Rebalancing (MFP) Demonstration program.  The program provides opportunities for Americans with disabilities to receive more help to live independently and remain in [...]

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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development announced $19.5 million in grants last week to help convert existing multifamily projects into assisted living facility for the elderly.  The projects, located in Arizona, Maryland, New York and Ohio, will be funded through HUD’s Assisted Living Conversion Program and are awarded on competitive basis. "These grants [...]

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According to a new poll by the National Council on Aging (NCOA), most seniors are confused and unaware to important aspects of health reform, or the Affordable Care Act, including its impact on their own Medicare coverage, the growth of Medicare, and the budget deficit.  The survey asked adults 65 and older a series of [...]

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The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), after nearly 2 years of studying and revisions, recently published new procedures governing the process for seniors who are counseled for federally insured Home Equity Conversion Mortgages (HECMs).  The new procedures provides more detailed information which must be provided ahead of the counseling session, what must [...]

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