---
kind: "section"
citation: "42 U.S.C. § 8002"
title: "42"
title_heading: "The Public Health and Welfare"
number: "8002"
heading: "Definitions"
release: "119-102"
date: "2026-07-12"
url: "https://uscodex.org/usc/42/8002"
units:
  - "Chapter 89 — Congregate Housing Services"
---

# §8002. Definitions


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](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7), 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](/usc/42/300s–3.md?p=7) 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](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) or a [nonprofit corporation](#9) to provide assistance, including [personal assistance](#6) and nutritional meals, to [eligible project residents](#4) 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](#3) [handicapped](#5) individuals, nonelderly [handicapped](#5) individuals, or [temporarily disabled](#8) individuals, who are residents of [congregate housing](#1) [projects](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) administered by a public housing [agency](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) or by a [nonprofit corporation](#9);
- (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](#4) 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](/usc/42/8262.md?p=1) or a [nonprofit corporation](#9) and shall include qualified medical professionals and other persons professionally competent to appraise the functional abilities of [elderly](#3) 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](/usc/42/2297h.md?p=2) responsible for a housing [project](/usc/42/13641.md?p=2) assisted under [section 1701q of title 12](/usc/12/1701q.md).

## Source credit

(Pub. L. 95–557, title IV, § 403, Oct. 31, 1978, 92 Stat. 2105.)