Gov’t launches initiatives to strengthen elder care, public housing

Juan Rosario Hernández, head of the Public Housing Administration

By THE STAR STAFF

The central government announced on Tuesday a series of initiatives aimed at improving public housing and elder care services across the island.

Family Secretary Suzanne Roig Fuertes revealed that the administrative amnesty period for elder care centers operating without a license or with expired licenses will conclude this week. The amnesty was designed to help facilities comply with legal and regulatory standards without facing administrative penalties, provided they meet the required conditions.

“Our priority is to protect the elderly population and ensure that care centers operate responsibly and in accordance with the law,” Roig Fuertes said. “This week marks the final opportunity to benefit from the amnesty before the Department resumes enforcement actions.”

Since the amnesty order took effect, 116 elder care establishments across Puerto Rico have been directly impacted. The Family Department urges all operators to complete the necessary licensing procedures before the Nov. 16 deadline. For further guidance, operators can contact the agency through official channels.

In a separate development, the Public Housing Administration (AVP by its initials in Spanish) has completed its first competitive selection process in 12 years for administrative agents to manage the island’s 328 public housing complexes. AVP Administrator Juan Rosario Hernández announced that 16 companies participated, including six new firms, which will oversee 36% of the public housing units. The contracts total $49 million over two years, with an option to extend for another two years.

Rosario Hernández emphasized that the initiative aligns with Gov. Jenniffer González Colón’s public policy to improve service efficiency and residents’ quality of life.

“Equitable distribution of units enables closer, more agile management focused on the real needs of our communities,” he said.

The AVP also held a kickoff meeting with all administrative agents and their teams to reinforce operational plans, particularly those related to reconstruction projects such as roof sealing and structural improvements.

Additionally, the agency announced it received the highest rating in 14 years under the federal NSPIRE system, which assesses health and safety conditions in public housing units. “This result confirms we are on the right path and that our efforts are making a real impact in our communities,” Rosario Hernández said.