The Expanding Service Coordinators Act

The Expanding Service Coordinators Act

View the original press release from Representative Adam Smith from August 25, 2025.

NERSC, Inc. proudly supports the Expanding Service Coordinators Act, recognizing it as a vital investment in the health, stability, and well-being of residents in federally assisted housing. As an organization dedicated to advancing the service coordination profession throughout New England, we see firsthand how service coordinators empower older adults, families, and individuals with disabilities to live independently and access essential resources such as healthcare, nutrition, transportation, and job training. This legislation will provide much-needed funding, training, and workforce support to expand and strengthen service coordination programs across the region. By investing in this critical profession, the Act ensures that more residents in New England—and across the country—can thrive in safe, supportive housing environments.

The Expanding Service Coordinators Act would make critical investments and reforms to expand service coordinator programs to serve more people in federally assisted housing. Specifically, the bill would:

• Authorize $225 million annually (FY2026–FY2030) for covered service coordinator programs, including Section 202 properties, and continue existing congregate service grants.

• Create new 3-year grant programs for service coordinators in Section 202 housing (HUD) and Section 515 rural housing (USDA), with priorities for properties serving elderly or disabled residents and those in persistent poverty or underserved rural areas.

• Authorize $45 million annually (FY2026–FY2030) for the Resident Opportunity and Self-Sufficiency (ROSS) Service Coordinator Program in public and Indian housing.

• Provide $37 million in FY2026 through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) to award 150 grants to Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties to fund service coordinators.

• Require a $2,500 annual training set-aside for each service coordinator and mandate annual reporting on training completed.

• Extend eligibility for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program to service coordinators and protect grantees from new HUD requirements outside standard reporting, monitoring, and compliance.

Service coordinators are an underfunded resource in federally assisted housing. They help individuals navigate the complicated web of social services that can make the difference between a resident sinking or thriving. It is more important now than ever to invest in this critical workforce.