Title 42, The Public Health and WelfareRelease 119-102

§8002 Definitions

Title 42 › CHAPTER 89 — CONGREGATE HOUSING SERVICES › § 8002

Last updated Aug 21, 2026|Official source

Summary

Defines key words used in this chapter. Congregate housing means low-rent buildings with a central dining area that were built or under construction on January 1, 1979, or buildings built after that date (but not under construction before it). Congregate services programs are run by a public housing agency or a nonprofit to give help, including personal help and meals, so eligible residents can stay independent and avoid unnecessary institutional care. Elderly means 62 years of age or over. Eligible project resident means elderly people, handicapped people, or temporarily disabled people who live in congregate housing run by a public housing agency or a nonprofit. Handicapped means a long-lasting impairment that seriously limits living alone unless supportive congregate services are provided; it can include frailty from aging. Personal assistance means help with grooming, dressing, and similar personal care. Professional assessment committee means at least three people appointed locally, including medical professionals, who can judge daily living abilities. Temporarily disabled means an impairment expected to last no more than six months and that seriously limits living alone unless supported. Nonprofit corporation means a nonprofit that runs a housing project that received federal housing assistance.

Full Legal Text

Title 42, §8002

The Public Health and Welfare, Source: USLM XML via OLRC

For the purpose of this chapter—

(1)the term “congregate housing” means (A) low-rent housing which, as of January 1, 1979, was built or under construction, with which there is connected a central dining facility where wholesome and economical meals can be served to such occupants; or (B) low-rent housing constructed after, but not under construction prior to, January 1, 1979, connected with which there is a central dining facility to provide wholesome and economical meals for such occupants;

(2)the term “congregate services programs” means programs to be undertaken by a public housing agency or a nonprofit corporation to provide assistance, including personal assistance and nutritional meals, to eligible project residents who, with such assistance, can remain independent and avoid unnecessary institutionalization;

(3)the term “elderly” means sixty-two years of age or over;

(4)the term “eligible project resident” means elderly handicapped individuals, nonelderly handicapped individuals, or temporarily disabled individuals, who are residents of congregate housing projects administered by a public housing agency or by a nonprofit corporation;

(5)the term “handicapped” means having an impairment which (A) is expected to be of long-continued and indefinite duration, and (B) substantially impedes an individual’s ability to live independently unless the individual receives supportive congregate services; such impairment may include a functional disability or frailty which is a normal consequence of the human aging process;

(6)the term “personal assistance” means service provided under this chapter which may include, but is not limited to, aid given to eligible project residents in grooming, dressing, and other activities which maintain personal appearance and hygiene;

(7)the term “professional assessment committee” means a group of at least three persons appointed by a local public housing agency or a nonprofit corporation and shall include qualified medical professionals and other persons professionally competent to appraise the functional abilities of elderly or permanently disabled adult persons, or both, in relation to the performance of the normal tasks of daily living;

(8)the term “temporarily disabled” means an impairment which (A) is expected to be of no more than six months’ duration, and (B) substantially impedes an individual’s ability to live independently unless the individual receives supportive congregate services; and

(9)the term “nonprofit corporation” means any corporation responsible for a housing project assisted under section 1701q of title 12.

Reference

Citations & Metadata

Citation

42 U.S.C. § 8002

Title 42, The Public Health and Welfare

Last Updated

Aug 21, 2026

Release point: 119-102