You asked for information about resident service coordinators (RSC), including (1) their duties, responsibilities, and authority to address problems; (2) at which local housing authorities RSCs are currently located as part of the state program; (3) how the positions are funded and how the funding amount is determined; and (4) who determines where the funded RSCs go.

SUMMARY

A state RSC program was first established in 1998 (PA 98-263) when the legislature required DECD to fund them by providing grants to state elderly housing project operators. RSCs were required to assist residents in state-assisted elderly housing projects to live independently. In 2005, their roles expanded to include facilitating conflict resolution between residents, including between elderly and younger residents, among other things. A summary below of PA 05-206, which redefined state funded RSCs jobs, describes the law, including RSCs duties, responsibilities, and authority to address problems (e. g. , they must establish and maintain relationships with community service providers, including linking residents to appropriate services).

In FY 07, DECD is funding RSC positions at 34 local housing authorities (the same number as FY 06) under its RSC Grant Program (see attached recipients list). The Office of Policy and Management determines the total amount available for RSC grants. DECD provides grants to housing authorities based on their requests and needs. When a housing authority hires an RSC or contracts for RSC services, they work for that housing authority, according to DECD.

In addition to the DECD grants, there are other ways that local housing authorities can fund RSCs. These include (1) a budgeted line item in their operating budgets (e. g. , from rental revenues), (2) local municipal social services, and (3) grants provided by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (if the authority owns or operates federally funded housing), according to DECD.

PA 05-206

PA 05-206 expanded and redefined RSCs responsibilities and allows DECD to convene monthly in-service training and information sharing meetings for them.

By law, RSCs assist residents in state-assisted elderly housing projects to live independently. The act broadened RSCs' responsibilities by requiring them to (1) organize meetings and plan activities to promote socialization among residents; (2) provide orientation services to new residents; and (3) establish and maintain relationships with community service providers, including linking residents to appropriate services. The act redefines RSCs' responsibilities for conflict mediation and resolution by specifying that they must (1) facilitate conflict resolution between residents, including between elderly and younger residents, and (2) act as liaisons to assist in problem solving. Under existing law and unchanged by the act, they also assess tenants' needs in order to establish and maintain support services, monitor the delivery of services, and advocate for service changes sought or required by the residents (CGS § 8-114d).

By law, those who qualify to live in state-assisted elderly housing are low-income people (1) age 62 and older and (2) age 61 or younger and certified by the Social Security Board or any other federal board or agency as totally disabled (CGS § 8-113a).

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