The Administration for Children and Families (ACF) at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recently awarded $2.1 million to fund the Affordable Housing and Social Services Demonstration (AHSSD) program, a new federal pilot program aimed at strengthening and enhancing wraparound and supportive services available to residents in affordable housing. The funding will support nine grant recipients in eight states and one tribal community.

AHSSD funding will help build and strengthen the capacity of owners and operators of affordable housing to provide wraparound supportive services to residents. AHSSD grant recipients will use their award to enhance a variety of supportive services including onsite childcare, financial literacy and coaching, GED preparation classes, transportation assistance, early childhood and youth programs and mental health services.

“The new Affordable Housing and Social Services Demonstration program recognizes the need for holistic support to help individuals and families move beyond poverty,” said ACF Acting Assistant Secretary Jeff Hild. “Bringing supportive services to affordable housing residences aligns with ACF’s priorities around equitable service delivery, effectively reducing or eliminating barriers to accessing services.”

AHSSD is administered by the Office of Community Services (OCS) at ACF. Grant recipients will leverage other OCF-funded services and programs to help address the immediate and long-term needs of residents in affordable housing, including employment and workforce development programs, energy and water assistance and support with material needs. The AHSSD grant recipients will serve individuals and families in Alaska, Arizona, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Oklahoma, and Virginia.

“By providing wraparound supportive services onsite, this program meets families where they are, and connects them to additional local services,” said OCF Director Dr. Lanikque Howard. “It’s another key tool in OCS’ anti-poverty strategy.”

For more information about the Affordable Housing and Supportive Services Demonstration program, watch the AHSSD 101 animated video.

To learn about ACF's Office of Community Services’ other anti-poverty strategies, visit www.acf.hhs.gov/ocs/help.

Last Updated: March 19, 2024