Exhibit E to Subpart E of Part 1944 - Support Services for Congregate Housing and Group Homes

I. Purpose

This exhibit prescribes support services for congregate housing and group homes.

II. General

The success of congregate housing and group homes will depend on the quality and affordability of the service component. Congregate housing applicants should explore the feasibility of providing services individually to ensure affordability by very low-income tenants.

III. Existing Community Services and Requirements

Applicants should check local service agencies to determine what services are already available in the community. Services can often be provided more inexpensively through local service agencies or other groups which assist in providing services. In many communities there are established volunteer groups that may be willing to provide volunteer assistance to congregate housing tenants. Volunteer groups with a history of assisting elderly people may be able to supplement the delivery of services and help keep the costs affordable. Applicants should explore the availability of volunteers from the Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), local church groups and other community organizations. If volunteer groups are used, an alternative method of service delivery must be addressed in case the availability of volunteers ceases in the future. Applicants must also verify State and local licensing and certification requirements and include relevant information in the loan request.

IV. Service Agreements

Applicant must submit a service agreement(s) for services that will not be provided by employees of the project. If services will be provided by employees of the project, the applicant must submit a separate budget for services and describe how tenants will be billed for services. Employees of congregate housing facilities who perform tasks for the management of the building and spend an appreciable amount of time in providing services to tenants should have their salaries prorated between the project's operation and maintenance budget and the services budget.

V. Services for Congregate Housing

The following services must be made available to tenants of congregate housing projects:

A. Meals. At least one nutritious meal a day, 7 days a week, must be provided in accordance with § 1944.224(a)(5)(i) of this subpart. The following information concerning the meal service must be included with the loan request.

1. Who will provide the meals (i.e., meals offered by a local agency with tenant contribution; supplied or contracted for by owner with charge to tenant)?

2. If the service will be provided by employees of the project, a proposed breakdown of costs for the meal service. The breakdown should include the cost of food, personnel and utilities needed to prepare and serve the meals. Information concerning the proposed staffing should be included.

3. The cost to the tenant. Will tenants pay by the meal or be charged a rate for a specified time?

4. A statement concerning the frequency of meals, including the number of meals to be served per week.

5. Information concerning how the meals will be served (i.e., waiter style, buffet, tray service).

6. Any licensing requirement necessary for the service.

B. Transportation. Adequate transportation must be provided to shopping, medical and other services to meet the needs of the tenants. Applicants are encouraged to locate congregate housing facilities so that tenants can use public services. In many cases, service is available and the applicant can arrange for the project to be included in the schedule established by the provider. The following information concerning the transportation service must be included with the loan request:

1. Who will provide the service (i.e., transportation provided by a local agency with tenant contribution; vehicle leased or purchased by applicant with charge to tenant)?

2. If the service will be provided by employees of the project, a proposed breakdown of costs for the transportation service. The applicant should address the following costs: vehicle purchase or lease payment; personnel to operate the vehicle; fuel; maintenance; and insurance.

3. The cost to the tenant. Will tenants pay for each trip or will they be charged a monthly rate?

4. A typical proposed schedule.

C. Housekeeping. Housekeeping services must be offered to assist congregate tenants with household tasks. The applicant must address the following concerning the housekeeping service:

1. Who will provide the service (i.e., housekeeping offered by a local agency with tenant contribution; supplied or contracted for by applicant with charge to tenant)?

2. If the service is provided by employees of the project, a proposed cost breakdown for the service which includes the cost of labor and supplies.

3. The type of tasks that will be offered (i.e., light housekeeping, laundry, shampooing carpeting). What is the planned frequency of the tasks?

4. The cost to the tenant.

D. Personal services. Personal services include such items as assistance with personal hygiene, nutrition counseling and general health screening (blood pressure checks, etc.). The following information concerning the personal services must be submitted with the loan request:

1. Who will provide the service (i.e., personal services offered by a local agency with tenant contribution; volunteer health services; contracted for by applicant with charge to tenant)?

2. If the service is provided by employees of the project, a proposed cost breakdown for the service which includes the cost of labor and supplies.

3. The type of tasks that will be provided.

4. The cost to the tenant.

5. Any licensing requirement necessary for the services.

E. Recreational/social. Recreational and social activities must be offered to tenants to encourage interest in a variety of areas. The following areas could be considered: hobby and craft classes; dinners for holidays, birthdays, etc.; educational lectures; wellness and exercise programs; and a library. The applicant should encourage recreational/social activities which cause interaction between tenants, the project and the community. The following information concerning the recreational/social service must be included with the loan request:

1. Who will provide the service (i.e., recreational/social activities offered by a local agency with tenant contribution; supplied or contracted for by applicant with charge to the tenant)?

2. If the service is provided by employees of the project, a proposed cost breakdown which includes the cost of labor and supplies.

3. The types and frequency of recreational/social activities that will be offered.

4. The cost to the tenant.

VI. Services for Group Homes

The following services must be made available to tenants of a group home:

A. Meals. At least three nutritious meals a day, 7 days a week, must be provided if tenants are not capable of preparing their meals. If meals are provided, the budget may include only the cost of food if tenants assist a staff person in preparing meals. Tenants in some group homes may be able to prepare meals on their own with supervision from a project personnel. In these cases, applicants must ensure that the tenants will be preparing nutritious meals.

B. Transportation. Applicants must submit information on the transportation service as detailed in paragraph V B of this exhibit.

C. Housekeeping. Applicants must provide a narrative explaining how housekeeping will be accomplished. In many cases, group home tenants assist with housekeeping chores with little expense being borne by the project. Applicants should detail expenses that will be part of the service budget.

D. Personal services. A higher percentage of tenants in a group home may require personal services. Applicants must detail the services to be offered and the cost to tenants.

E. Recreational/social. In most cases, there will be little expense for recreational/social opportunities in a group home. Applicants should explain what will be offered to the tenants and the projected cost to tenants.

VII. Additional Items Necessary for Congregate Housing/Group Homes That Cannot be Financed with FmHA or its successor agency under Public Law 103-354 Loan Funds

Congregate housing/group home projects require additional items that will not become affixed to the real estate. These items can include special portable equipment, furnishings, kitchen bars, dining ware, eating utensils, movable tables and chairs, steamtables, etc. In accordance with § 1944.224(a)(3) of this subpart, loan funds cannot be used to finance these items. As a part of the loan request, applicants must include a proposed list of additional items that will be needed by the project and state how these items will be paid for.