(a) The Commissioner of Housing shall award grants-in-aid to housing authorities, municipal developers, nonprofit corporations and housing partnerships operating elderly housing projects pursuant to this part to hire resident services coordinators to (1) facilitate conflict resolution between residents, including between seniors and younger residents, (2) establish and maintain relationships with community service providers and link residents to appropriate community services, (3) act as a liaison to assist in problem solving, (4) assist residents of such housing to maintain an independent living status, (5) assess the individual needs of residents of such housing for the purpose of establishing and maintaining support services, (6) provide orientation services to new residents and maintain regular contact with residents of such housing, (7) monitor the delivery of support services to residents of such housing, (8) organize resident activities and meetings that promote socialization among all residents, and (9) advocate changes in services sought or required by residents of such housing. The commissioner shall award grants-in-aid based on demonstration of need and availability of matching funds. A joint application made by more than one housing authority, municipal developer, nonprofit corporation or housing partnership shall have the same preference as an application made by one housing authority, municipal developer, nonprofit corporation or housing partnership.

(b) The employment of resident services coordinators by a housing authority, municipal developer, nonprofit corporation or housing partnership operating elderly housing projects pursuant to this part shall be considered an allowable expense.

(c) The Commissioner of Housing may convene monthly meetings of the resident services coordinators for in-service training and information sharing. Training topics shall include, but not be limited to, the health care needs of seniors and persons with disabilities, mediation and conflict resolution, and local and regional service resources.

(P.A. 98-263, S. 3, 4, 21; P.A. 05-206, S. 1; P.A. 11-168, S. 3; P.A. 13-234, S. 2.)

History: P.A. 98-263 effective July 1, 1998; P.A. 05-206 amended Subsec. (a) by adding provisions re conflict resolution, including resolution of conflicts between seniors and younger residents, community services, liaisons to assist problem solving, orientation services and the promotion of socialization among residents and redesignating subdivisions accordingly, and added new Subsec. (c) re monthly meetings of resident services coordinators, effective July 1, 2005; P.A. 11-168 added references to housing partnerships in Subsecs. (a) and (b), effective July 13, 2011; pursuant to P.A. 13-234, references to Commissioner of Economic and Community Development were changed editorially by the Revisors to references to Commissioner of Housing, effective June 19, 2013.