Residents and staff urge retention of Green Ridge House service coordinator as federal grant uncertainty persists

Staff and residents at a Greenbelt City Council budget work session described the role of the Green Ridge House service coordinator and expressed concern about the continuity of HUD funding that supports the position.

Why it matters: The service coordinator provides casework, benefit navigation and health‑and‑wellness connections for an elderly population that includes frail and isolated residents; losing the position could reduce on-site supports that help residents remain safely housed.

Crystal Beatty, program staff, described the service coordinator role and program. She said the coordinator "links residents with resources, programs, and services," helps residents apply for energy assistance and renter tax credits, coordinates health and wellness programming, and performs annual resident assessments to tailor service frequency to need. Beatty named the current service coordinator, Flora Lee, and a part‑time assistant, Natalie Garcia, who works about 20 hours per week.

Beatty told council that the service coordinator position is funded through a HUD service coordinator grant and that staff are "still waiting to hear whether or not that program will be funded on the federal level." She said she speaks daily with the grant manager and that uncertainty about federal funding is causing concern. Council members advised staff to notify federal representatives when HUD reimbursements or grant timing are delayed so elected officials understand local impacts.

During resident comments, a longtime resident praised the coordinator’s work: "If for some reason they're trying to cut money for her, please try to provide to keep the service coordinator going because she is very good," the resident said, describing help with technology, water and food deliveries and other on‑site assistance.

Staff said the coordinator also oversees resident satisfaction surveys and community activities such as gardening plots and group trips; social programming is partly supported by resident association funds and occasional grants. Staff and council noted that the coordinator helps residents navigate transitions when health declines and coordinates with family and other community resources to identify appropriate supportive placements.

Council and staff did not take formal action at the work session but discussed monitoring HUD grant outcomes and prioritizing the coordinator position in local planning given the service’s role in resident wellbeing.