C-5: The Housing Plus Model: Igniting Partnerships that lead to Thriving Residents

NAB; HCBS TRACT; HUD; HUD RSC – 1 Hour | Wednesday, June 5th. 9:00 AM – 10:00 AM

Session Description:

The No. 1 challenge cited by managers and operators of affordable independent living senior apartments in New Jersey is the need for improved access and coordination of long-term services and supports for their aging-in-place residents. Creating a housing-and-services partnership is a model that has demonstrable value, resulting in stable building costs and reduced tenant turnover as well as better integration and coordination of care, which in turn has led to better outcomes and quality of life for aging residents. Expanding and replicating these existing models of housing-plus-care can be the critical component that NJs senior housing managers have long sought to help older adults remain safe, healthy and engaged in the community. Providing a foundation for housing managers to work in concert with an on-site care teams can help guide low-income tenants to the Medicaid-funded supports they need to keep living independently, while also limiting risk and disruption to their housing communities and creating more supportive living environment for all. As an Age-Friendly State, New Jersey is committed to supporting older adults with a coordinated and seamless system of services across a wide range of areas that affect their lives. The states affordable housing financing programs encourage housing developers (through provision of points in the application process) to incorporate on-site health and wellness services – such as Assisted Living Programs(ALP), PACE/LIFE, SIL and/or a wellness nurse. But the pathway to forging such housing-and-care partnerships is often less clear for existing housing operators. In this session, the panel will lead a discussion of one of the most innovative and cost-effective housing-plus models “ the New Jersey Assisted Living Program (ALP). ALPs – unique to New Jersey “are a home-and-community-based (HCBS) model in which flexible, person-centered services are provided to residents of subsidized senior housing who need assistance with activities of daily living. Panelists will outline the many benefits to housing managers of partnering with the Assisted Living Program providers and share video testimony from ALP clients. This interactive session will offer space for deeper discussion on how the ALP model can be scaled and strengthened across the state; address housing providers questions or concerns about partnering with HCBS providers; and offer opportunities for audience members to make a connection with a local service provider in their community.

Learning Objectives:

Identify the typical ALP recipient.

Describe the impact of the ALP model on the ability of ALP clients to thrive in their own lives.

Explain the cost-savings, safety and other mutual benefits about housing- plus-services partnership models such as ALPs

Speakers:

Candace Robinson, Director, Healthy Communities – Capital Impact Partners

As Director, Healthy Communities at Capital Impact Partners, Candace assists in the development of community-based systems and sustained infrastructure to expand access health equity. In this role, she collaborates with teams across the organization and externally with community-based providers, government agencies and key stakeholders across the community development field to embed a focus on health equity in the organization’s strategy, culture and products. Candace has supported the Capital Impact Partner’s strategy focused on aging and healthy communities to foster innovative solutions at the intersection of aging, affordable housing, community development and healthcare. Specifically, she is leading the organization’s efforts to expand capacity of providers to support place based, cross-sector solutions to promote economic mobility and improved health outcomes in community. Since 2018, Candace has supported the replication of the ALP model in New Jersey and provides the backbone support for the NJ ALP Provider Coalition.

Elizabeth Davis, Executive Director, Bright Side Family

Elizabeth Davis, a licensed clinical social worker and assisted living administrator, founded Geriatric Services, Inc. in 1990 and began managing Bright Side Manor, a senior home established in Teaneck since 1916. After a $5 million construction project in 2003, Bright Side Manor became a licensed assisted living facility, accommodating 65 residents and offering affordable care to low and middle-income older adults in Bergen County. Recognizing the need for subsidized senior housing, Elizabeth secured funding in 2009 to build The Brookdale, a 62-unit senior apartment building promoting aging in place with wellness programs and community activities. In 2015, she launched PALS, a licensed assisted living program providing vital services to low-income seniors in subsidized housing, preventing premature nursing home placement. Elizabeth’s commitment extends to Age Friendly Teaneck, an initiative she spearheaded in 2016 to ensure residents can age-in-place with dignity and independence, funded by the Henry and Marilyn Taub Foundation.

Marilyn Mock, Social Service Department Head, Fair Share Support Services, Inc

Since 2019, Marilyn Mock has served as Policy Director for Wellness Services for Fair Share Housing Development (FSHD), based out of Fair Share Northgate II, an affordable housing site in Camden, NJ which provides housing to 650 low-income elderly and disabled individuals and families. Marilyn has over 25 years of experience working with the older adults and persons with disabilities and 9 years of experience working with homeless families and women in addictions recovery. Previous positions include Administrator of Senior Adult Services with Catholic Human Services in Philadelphia, Associate Director of Center in the Park, Director of Mercy Hospice, a residential recovery program for women in addiction recovery, and Assistant Director of Long-Term Care with the Philadelphia Corporation on Aging.