LINTHICUM, Md. and ROCHESTER, N.Y., September 6, 2022 – The Green House Project (GHP) and Pioneer Network applaud the introduction of the IMPROVE Nursing Homes Act (H.R. 8677), legislation that would overhaul the nation’s outdated nursing home infrastructure and bring small-home care to 250,000 more Americans before the end of this decade.

Introduced last month by Rep. Jan Schakowsky of Illinois, the bill would create a federal grant program to fund the development of small-home nursing communities with private rooms and bathrooms, easily accessible outdoor space, and fully elder-directed programming.

“We are humbled and honored to see Green House and Pioneer principles take center stage in this proposed federal grant program,” Green House Project senior director Susan Ryan said. “The future of eldercare is small and elder-directed, and we want to work with advocates, policymakers, and officials across the country to make that a reality.”

Crucially, the proposed grant program would also include strong oversight to ensure that operators use the grant funding for its intended purposes and provide elder-directed care services for years to come.

“Creating a real home for elders, no matter their abilities, isn’t just about bricks and mortar,” Pioneer Network CEO Penny Cook said. “It’s about responding to their needs and giving them continued autonomy, making elder-directed principles a crucial part of any reform effort.”

Research has shown that the Green House model – in which elders live in small homes of no more than 12 residents – provides superior quality of life, health care outcomes, and infection control for elders when compared to traditional nursing facilities.

“America’s elders deserve high-quality care in the setting of their choice,” Ryan said. “For those who prefer or require care in a communal setting, the Green House small-home model is the gold standard.”

Green House and Pioneer also thank the diverse group of reform and resident advocacy organizations – the Center for Medicare Advocacy, Justice in Aging, the Long-Term Care Community Coalition, and the National Consumer Voice for Quality Long-Term Care – for endorsing the legislation.

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