Coordinating housing and services for the elderly

Though recent housing legislation represents something less than a major commitment to a housing-based strategy for maintaining the independence of frail older people, the cumulative effect is to increase greatly the possibilities for experimentation, especially at the state and local level. Consumer groups and service providers should be alerted to the possibilities to demonstrate creatively the important role that housing programs which are integrated with provision of services can play in serving frail and disabled people. An array of possibilities--from home repairs to service-enriched vouchers to congregate services--is now possible for those states and localities prepared to make the commitments to serving people with special needs. Through creative program implementation, we should expect to see housing coordinated with services play an appropriate and significant role in filling the gaps in the continuum of care for older adults.