Bill Overview
Title: Expanding Service Coordinators Act
Description: This bill reauthorizes through FY2027 funding for service coordinator programs, which embed staff in certain federally assisted housing to arrange for transportation, case management, and other supportive services for eligible residents. The bill also makes service coordinators eligible to have qualifying student loans discharged through the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program. Additionally, the Government Accountability Office must study best practices and other matters concerning service coordinator programs in federally assisted housing in rural areas.
Sponsors: Rep. Smith, Adam [D-WA-9]
Target Audience
Population: Residents of federally assisted housing who rely on service coordinators
Estimated Size: 11000000
- Service coordinators provide essential services to residents in federally assisted housing, impacting primarily low-income individuals and families.
- The bill affects residents who rely on federally assisted housing, which includes diverse groups such as the elderly, disabled individuals, and low-income families.
- By improving service coordination through federally assisted housing, the quality of life for these residents may be positively impacted through better case management and transportation services.
- The inclusion of service coordinators in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program might increase the number of qualified individuals willing to work in these roles, indirectly benefiting the residents.
- The focus on best practices in rural areas addresses an often underserved segment of the population, potentially bringing improved services to those areas.
Reasoning
- The policy aims to enhance services in federally assisted housing, potentially improving the wellbeing of residents by providing better access to case management and transportation services.
- The inclusion of service coordinators in the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program might attract more qualified individuals to these roles, improving the effectiveness of the services provided.
- Residents in both urban and rural areas might experience different levels of impact, with rural areas potentially benefiting from targeted studies on best practices.
- The policy budget allows for a significant investment in the first year and over ten years, suggesting a moderate to high level of impact on eligible populations.
- The policy is primarily targeted at low-income households, elderly residents, and persons with disabilities, who rely heavily on coordinated services in assisted housing.
Simulated Interviews
Service Coordinator (Chicago, IL)
Age: 52 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 12/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The expansion of the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program is a great incentive for more people to join and stay in service coordinator roles.
- There's a need for more resources to effectively manage increasing resident demands.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 6 |
Maintenance Worker (Jackson, MS)
Age: 35 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 15/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Service coordinators have made it easier to access vital resources.
- If they get more support and training, I think it will only get better.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Retired (Rural Nebraska)
Age: 78 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 15.0 years
Commonness: 5/20
Statement of Opinion:
- It's hard to get the help I need out here in the country.
- The promise of improved service coordination sounds hopeful.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 9 | 4 |
Single Mother, Part-time Retail (Houston, TX)
Age: 44 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 10/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Service coordinators have been critical for managing my child's medical appointments.
- I'm hopeful more resources will be allotted for specialized needs.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 9 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 8 | 5 |
Student, Part-time Barista (Los Angeles, CA)
Age: 28 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 14/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Seeing service coordinators discharged from student loans is encouraging for my career path.
- If services improve, I think more people will seek out their help.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Retired Veteran (Phoenix, AZ)
Age: 62 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 4
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 8/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I depend on transportation services coordinated by staff here.
- Expanding these programs will hopefully address some long-standing issues.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 5 | 4 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 4 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 4 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 4 |
Mother, Homemaker (Atlanta, GA)
Age: 30 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 12.0 years
Commonness: 16/20
Statement of Opinion:
- I hope more service coordinators will mean better support for my kids.
- Transportation has always been a big hurdle—but they do help when they can.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 5 |
Artist, Freelance (San Francisco, CA)
Age: 23 | Gender: other
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 5.0 years
Commonness: 7/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Service coordinators can play a huge role in improving healthcare access.
- In a city like San Francisco, every bit of help counts, especially around mental health.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Warehouse Worker (Miami, FL)
Age: 39 | Gender: female
Wellbeing Before Policy: 5
Duration of Impact: 10.0 years
Commonness: 9/20
Statement of Opinion:
- Better transportation services will help people like me keep steady jobs.
- The policy sounds like it will bring much-needed stability to my situation.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 2 | 6 | 5 |
| Year 3 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 5 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 10 | 7 | 5 |
| Year 20 | 6 | 5 |
Retired Factory Worker (Columbus, OH)
Age: 68 | Gender: male
Wellbeing Before Policy: 6
Duration of Impact: 8.0 years
Commonness: 11/20
Statement of Opinion:
- The policy could bring more trained service providers to our area.
- I'm looking forward to seeing what kind of improvements we can implement locally.
Wellbeing Over Time (With vs Without Policy)
| Year | With Policy | Without Policy |
|---|---|---|
| Year 1 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 2 | 7 | 6 |
| Year 3 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 5 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 10 | 8 | 6 |
| Year 20 | 7 | 6 |
Cost Estimates
Year 1: $150000000 (Low: $130000000, High: $170000000)
Year 2: $155000000 (Low: $135000000, High: $175000000)
Year 3: $160000000 (Low: $140000000, High: $180000000)
Year 5: $165000000 (Low: $145000000, High: $185000000)
Year 10: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Year 100: $0 (Low: $0, High: $0)
Key Considerations
- Ongoing funding requires precise allocation to maximize service delivery effectiveness.
- Administrator processes for the Public Service Loan Forgiveness program involve complex eligibility criteria that could influence policy cost impacts.
- Tracking and assessing rural service improvements need robust data and methodologies to ensure accurate findings.