An official website of the United States government
          Here’s how you know
        Here’s how you know**Official websites use .gov**A
              **.gov** website belongs to an official government
              organization in the United States.
        **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**A
              **lock** (
              Locked padlock icon) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Skip to contentSkip to navigation HomeAbout +Spread the WordFocus Areas +Accessible, Affordable HousingFair HousingHomelessnessSupportive ServicesTransitions Out of InstitutionsTraumatic Brain InjuryTribal HousingTools +Data & ReportsDirectoriesFunding & ProgramsModelsTerms & AcronymsTools & ToolkitsTraining & EducationWhat's New Search
  I need housing or services help
 Relevant Terms and Acronyms
 Speaking the Same Language
Different sectors or fields (e.g., aging, disability, health, housing) often have unique buzzwords, key terms, and definitions that can make cross-sector partnership a challenge. Forming a strong partnership is easier when you know what unique language you use, understand your partners' background and language, and work to clarify differences during discussions. As a step toward understanding, here are some common acronyms in the aging, disability, health, and housing sectors.
Common Acronyms in Aging, Disability, and Health Services Sectors
Acronym or Abbreviation
Full NameAAA (Triple A)
Area Agency on AgingACA
Affordable Care ActACF
Administration for Children and Families (agency within HHS)ACL
Administration for Community Living (agency within HHS)ACO
Accountable Care OrganizationADA
Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990ADLs
Activities of Daily LivingADRC
Aging and Disability Resource CenterAoA
Administration on AgingAoD
Administration on DisabilitiesAPS
Adult Protective ServicesAT
Assistive TechnologyCCBHC
Certified Community Behavioral Health CenterCCH
Community Care HubCDBG
Community Development Block Grant (HUD funding)CDC
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (agency within HHS)CHIP
Children's Health Insurance ProgramCHW
Community Health WorkerCIL
Center for Independent LivingCMS
Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (agency within HHS)DD
Developmental DisabilitiesDIAL
Disability Information and Access LineDORS
Division of Rehabilitative ServicesDV
Domestic ViolenceHCBS
Home and Community-Based ServicesHHS
U.S. Department of Health and Human ServicesHIE
Health Information ExchangeHIPAA
Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act of 1996HRSA
Health Resources and Services Administration (agency within HHS)HRSN
Health-Related Social NeedsI&R
Information and ReferralIADLs
Instrumental Activities of Daily LivingI/DD
Intellectual and Developmental DisabilitiesIHS
Indian Health Service (agency within HHS)IL
Independent LivingILC
Independent Living CenterISP
Individualized Service PlanLTC
Long-Term CareLTSS
Long-Term Services and SupportsMA
Medicare AdvantageMCH
Maternal and Child HealthMFP
Money Follows the PersonNIA
National Institute on Aging (institute within NIH)NIDILRR
National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation ResearchNIH
National Institutes of Health (agency within HHS)NIMH
National Institute of Mental Health (institute within NIH)NOFO
Notice of Funding OpportunityNWD
No Wrong DoorOAA
Older Americans Act of 1965P&A
Protection and Advocacy SystemPSS
Peer Support SpecialistRehab Act
Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973RSA
Rehabilitation Services Administration (agency within U.S. Department of Education)SAMHSA
Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (agency within HHS)SDOH
Social Determinants of Health or Social Drivers of HealthSED
Serious Emotional DisturbanceSHIP
State Health Insurance Assistance ProgramSILC
Statewide Independent Living CouncilSMI
Serious Mental IllnessSMP
Senior Medicare PatrolSNAP
Supplemental Nutrition Assistance ProgramSNP
Special Needs PlanSPIL
State Plan for Independent LivingSS
Supportive ServicesSSA
U.S. Social Security AdministrationSSBG
Social Services Block GrantSSDI
Social Security Disability InsuranceSSI
Supplemental Security IncomeSUA
State Unit on AgingSUD
Substance Use DisorderTAY
Transition Age YouthUCEDD
University Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities Education, Research, and ServiceVAWA
Violence Against Women Act of 1994VI-SPDAT
Vulnerability Index-Service Prioritization Decision Assistance ToolVR
State Vocational Rehabilitation AgencyCommon Acronyms in Housing Sectors
Acronym
Full NameAFFH
Affirmatively Furthering Fair HousingAHAR
Annual Homeless Assessment ReportAHTF
Affordable Housing Trust FundAL
Assisted LivingAMI
Area Median IncomeCDBG
Community Development Block GrantCDC
Community Development CorporationCES
Coordinated Entry SystemCHDO
Community Housing Development OrganizationCoC
Continuum of CareCPD
Community Planning and Development (office within HUD)CRA
Community Reinvestment ActEHV
Emergency Housing VoucherES
Emergency ShelterESG
Emergency Solutions GrantsFHA
Fair Housing Act of 1968FHAA
Fair Housing Act Amendments of 1988FHAP
Fair Housing Assistance ProgramFHEO
Fair Housing/Equal OpportunityFHIP
Fair Housing Initiatives ProgramFMR
Fair Market RentFSS
Family Self-Sufficiency ProgramHCV
Housing Choice VoucherHFA
Housing Finance AgencyHIC
Housing Inventory CountHMIS
Homeless Management Information SystemHOME
HOME Investment Partnership ProgramHOPWA
Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDSHRP
Housing-Related ProviderHUD
U.S. Department of Housing and Urban DevelopmentLIHTC
Low-Income Housing Tax CreditMAGI
Modified Adjusted Gross IncomePBRA
Project-Based Rental AssistancePBSC
Place-Based Service CoordinationPEH
People Experiencing HomelessnessPHA
Public Housing Agency or Public Housing AuthorityPIT Count
Point in Time CountPRA
Project Rental Assistance (model used in HUD's 811 program)PSH
Permanent Supportive HousingRH
Recovery HousingROSS
Resident Opportunities and Self Sufficiency ProgramRRH
Rapid Re-HousingSNAPS
Special Needs Assistance Programs (office within HUD)Section 8
HUD Section 8 ProgramSection 202
HUD 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly ProgramSection 811
HUD 811 Supportive Housing for Persons with Disabilities ProgramSRO
Single Room OccupancyTBRA
Tenant-Based Rental AssistanceTH
Transitional HousingUSDA
U.S. Department of AgricultureUSICH
U.S. Interagency Council on HomelessnessVASH
Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing

                    *Last modified on 08/23/2023* Related Links
    

      What's New
    Housing and Services Resource Center home
    Tools to Support Partnership Action
    Models and Partnerships
 Back to Top    The Housing and Services Resource Center is part of an interagency initiative to streamline and expand access to affordable, accessible housing and the critical services that make community living possible.Site Support
  

        
      Accessibility
                      Disclaimers
                      Privacy Policy
                      Sitemap
                      Viewers & PlayersHelpful Sites
  

        
      Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)
                      No Fear Act
                      Vulnerability Disclosure PolicySign up for email
Subscribe
Share on Other Platforms
    An official website of the Administration for Community Living, an operating division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.