June 15, 2006

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Contacts: Sarah Mashburn, AAHSA, (202) 508-9492

AAHSA Applauds Congressional Action to Save Affordable Senior Housing

WASHINGTON, D.C. - AAHSA President and CEO Larry Minnix today applauded the House’s overwhelming approval of a funding increase of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) 202 affordable housing program for seniors.

The approved plan will provide a $12 million increase to the HUD 202 affordable senior housing program as well as $3 million for disabled housing in 2007, bringing the total to $750 million. The senior housing funding is $202 million above President Bush’s initial request.

“We commend Rep. Katherine Harris (R-Fla.), the increase’s champion, for recognizing how affordable housing increases the opportunities available to seniors and the disabled to find the affordable, safe and secure housing that they deserve.” said Minnix. “We were pleased to work with disability advocacy groups to secure additional funding for both the Section 202 and 811 programs. But our work is not done. We will continue to urge Congress to fund the 10,000 new affordable senior housing apartments needed to ensure that all of America's seniors can have a place to call home.”

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About AAHSA
The members of the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (www.aahsa.org) help millions of individuals and their families every day through mission-driven, not-for-profit organizations dedicated to providing the services that people need, when they need them, in the place they call home. Our 5,800 member organizations, many of which have served their communities for generations, offer the continuum of aging services: adult day services, home health, community services, senior housing, assisted living residences, continuing care retirement communities and nursing homes. AAHSA’s commitment is to create the future of aging services through quality people can trust.