The Housing Counseling Program shall have the following duties and functions: (1) Conduct ongoing research to keep abreast of the existing housing options available to senior citizens including research into ways senior citizens can finance said housing options; (2) Facilitate the establishment of a matched housing program with the counties; (3) Advocate for the establishment of additional housing alternatives, including home equity conversion, and work with senior citizen organizations on the removal of those barriers which include, but are not limited to, financial, regulatory and legislative that inhibit the development of other alternatives; (4) Serve as an educational clearinghouse for information on housing options for senior citizens, including publication and dissemination of information on laws and regulations pertaining to housing, including, but not limited to, rent control and condominium conversion; (5) Operate a housing counseling service that will counsel senior citizens on available housing options and financial/legal matters that may apply to their housing situation, including, but not limited to, laws and regulations, utilization of financial options such as home equity conversion, passbook accounts and insurance annuities; (6) Coordinate with existing county, city and private housing programs to enhance communication of new concepts and developments in housing and to ensure sensitivity to the unique housing needs of senior citizens; (7) Network with banks, lending and investment institutions to explore ways in which senior citizens could more effectively invest their money in order to provide adequate housing; (8) Develop, coordinate and train a cadre of senior citizen volunteers to perform peer counseling in housing options and related financial/legal matters, thereby reaching a greater number of senior citizens in need of counseling at minimal cost; (9) Evaluate the Program and report annually to the Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Services, who shall make the report available to the General Assembly. The evaluation should include the systematic collection and analysis of client utilization data including, but not limited to, number of clients counseled, number of clients who are participating in various residential alternatives as a result of this Program and the cost effectiveness of the Program; (10) Promote accessory apartments and other innovative housing options for elderly citizens, both as renters and rentees by: a. Making information available to elderly citizens and the community; b. Bringing together realtors, local government zoning agencies, non-profit organizations, lenders, home health care agencies, etc., to promote and facilitate accessory apartments; c. Counseling senior citizens, their families, and potential renters; and d. Other activities that will support the establishment of accessory apartments and other innovative housing options to benefit elderly citizens in Delaware.
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