You asked (1) for the number and a list of state-funded elderly congregate housing facilities that offer assisted living services, (2) who provides assisted living services in these facilities, and (3) how many residents of these facilities receive subsidies from the Department of Economic and Community Development (DECD) to help pay for these services.

SUMMARY

Connecticut has 24 state-funded elderly congregate housing facilities for low- and moderate-income, frail seniors age 62 and older who are able to live independently but require some assistance. These facilities contain separate living units for residents and provide some housekeeping, personal care, transportation, and at least one meal a day in a common dining room.

Twelve of these facilities currently offer assisted living services to residents who require assistance with activities of daily living and nursing and medical services in order to remain in congregate housing instead of moving into a nursing home. (A list of these facilities is below.) According to DECD, 11 of the facilities contract with assisted living services agencies (ALSAs), including Hebrew Health Care, Masonicare Home Health and Hospice, Inc., and Utopia to provide these services. Middletown's Luther Manor facility provides services directly because its owner, Lutheran Social Services, is a licensed ALSA.

The state has two programs that offer subsidies to elderly residents of state-funded congregate living facilities for assisted living services. The Department of Social Services (DSS) administers the Connecticut Home Care Program for Elders (CHCPE), and DECD operates its own program for those ineligible for CHCPE. As of October 31, 2011, there are 165 residents of elderly congregate housing facilities receiving state- subsidized assisted living services. Sixty-seven of these individuals receive the DECD subsidy and 98 receive the CHCPE subsidy.

STATE-FUNDED ELDERLY CONGREGATE HOUSING

DECD and the Connecticut Housing Finance Authority jointly administer the state's Congregate Housing for the Elderly program. There are 24 congregate housing facilities that provide housing and support services to frail seniors age 62 and older. Residents have individual apartments with a private kitchen and bath. Facilities provide one meal per day in a common area, housekeeping, 24-hour security, transportation, and recreational services.

In order to qualify for congregate housing, individuals must need assistance with one or more activities of daily living and meet the following eligibility criteria:

1. have an annual income that does not exceed 80 percent of the area's median income;

2. be at least age 62; and

3. meet criteria established by a local selection committee, including a physical and functional frailty assessment, evaluation of housing conditions and living arrangements, and an assessment of daily living needs.

Residents pay rent and a monthly congregate service fee, both of which may be subsidized by DECD up to $856 per month depending on the resident's income.

ASSISTED LIVING SERVICES

Twelve state-funded elderly congregate facilities also offer assisted living services provided by a licensed ALSA. Services include additional assistance with activities of daily living and nursing and medical services. Because congregate housing facilities are not licensed, staff are prohibited from providing nursing services or dispensing medication unless the facility provides assisted living services through a licensed ALSA. Table 1 provides a list of congregate housing facilities that provide assisted living services.

Table 1: State-Funded Elderly Congregate Facilities Providing Assisted Living Services

ASSISTED LIVING SUBSIDIES

There are two state programs that offer subsidies to elderly residents of state-funded congregate housing for assisted living services. DSS administers CHCPE and DECD administers its own subsidy program for those ineligible for CHCPE. Functional eligibility for both subsidies is the same, however the CHCPE program imposes asset, but not income eligibility limits, whereas DECD imposes income, but not asset eligibility limits. (See OLR Report 2010-R-0237 for a detailed description of these subsidies.)

As of October 31, 2011, there are 165 residents of elderly congregate housing facilities receiving state-subsidized assisted living services. Sixty-seven of these individuals receive the DECD subsidy and 98 receive the CHCPE subsidy. According to DECD, its program is flat-funded during FY 12 and can only subsidize the number of program participants as of January 31, 2011.

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