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1999 SESSION

991534204
HOUSE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 743
Offered January 21, 1999
Requesting the Department of Housing and Community Development, with assistance from certain other state agencies, to foster the development of affordable assisted living options for seniors in the Commonwealth through training, education, and information.
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Patrons-- Almand, Diamonstein, Hall and Williams; Senators: Mims and Woods
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Referred to Committee on General Laws
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WHEREAS, nationally and in the Commonwealth, the concept of assisted living has emerged in recent years as an important link in the continuum of care for the elderly; and

WHEREAS, although numerous assisted living facilities are operating in the Commonwealth (particularly in urban areas) and many more are in the planning and construction phases, the cost of residency in most such facilities lies beyond the reach of a majority of seniors; and

WHEREAS, the number of seniors in the Commonwealth is rising significantly; and

WHEREAS, the Virginia Housing Study Commission, in December 1998, concluded a two-year study of affordable assisted living options for seniors; and

WHEREAS, such Commission study identified the need for additional affordable assisted living options for seniors in the Commonwealth together with the interest of the Commonwealth in fostering the development of such options; and

WHEREAS, the development and operation of such facilities in the Commonwealth is extremely challenging, given the complexity of financing restraints, revenue concerns, staffing recruitment and retention needs, and regulatory issues; and

WHEREAS, even further coordination, joint ventures, and information-sharing among various agencies and Secretariats in the Commonwealth could well foster the development of affordable assisted living options for Virginia's seniors; and

WHEREAS, the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD) has long-standing expertise in administering a Congregate Facilities component program of the Virginia Housing Partnership Fund; and

WHEREAS, DHCD has, together with the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA), established the respected Virginia Housing Training Center; and

WHEREAS, DHCD has in recent years spearheaded the regularly convened Governor's Conference on Housing, the largest statewide housing gathering in the nation; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED by the House of Delegates, the Senate concurring, That the Department of Housing and Community Development (DHCD), with assistance from the Virginia Housing Development Authority (VHDA), the Virginia Department for the Aging, and the Virginia Department of Social Services (DSS), be requested to foster the development of affordable assisted living options for seniors and others in need of such services in the Commonwealth through training, education, and information. More specifically, the Department, with assistance from the named agencies, is requested to consider offering through its DHCD/VHDA Housing Training Center training on the development of affordable assisted living options, including innovative projects, both in and out of the Commonwealth, and such issues as financing availability, building code requirements, and DSS regulations. In addition, the Department, with assistance from the named agencies, is requested, in conjunction with the 1999 Governor's Conference on Housing, to convene panel discussions and/or tutorials on the development of affordable assisted living options. Also, the Department, with assistance from the named agencies, is requested to provide pertinent information on affordable assisted living options on its Internet site, with a single point of entry linked to the Internet sites of VHDA, the Department for the Aging, and DSS. Finally, the Department, with assistance from the named agencies and the Virginia Tech Residential Property Management Program, is requested to produce a "Creative Best Practices Handbook" describing local initiatives that blend funding and adapt regulations to create an environment conducive to developing affordable assisted living facilities or provide assistance to residents aging in place.

All agencies of the Commonwealth shall provide assistance to the Department for this study, upon request.

The Department shall complete its work in time to submit its findings and report on its progress to the Governor and the 2000 Session of the General Assembly as provided in the procedures of the Division of Legislative Automated Systems for the processing of legislative documents.