Rural Housing Service Clarifies Emergency Pull Cord Requirements – HUD Requirements Contrast

Posted on October 10, 2024 by Bobbie Guidry

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) issued guidance to clarify the agency’s emergency call system requirements for federally-subsidized rural Multifamily Housing communities.

Guidance Clarification

The guidance clarifies that the Rural Housing Service does not require the use of emergency call systems, including pull cords, in any Multifamily Housing units. The guidance explains why many properties may have the systems in place, including to alert for an emergency such as a fall, fire, or medical issue.

Best Practices

The Unnumbered Letter (UL) goes on to describe scenarios in which call-for-aid systems may not be properly maintained and create a false sense of security for residents or have become obsolete due to the use of cell phones and other life alert equipment used by residents. While Rural Development does not require emergency call systems, the agency provides recommended best practices for the systems, including to properly maintain the systems, provide clear instructions and expectations for their use, and removing the systems once no longer operational.

HUD Requirements

By contrast, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) does requires emergency notification systems for properties designated to serve older adults. Per HUD’s 2014 memo, the systems do not need to be a pull cord format, which are limited by their placement on bathroom and bedroom walls. In fact, many LeadingAge Minnesota members have shifted away from pull cords and instead provide resident-worn pendants and other call-for-aid mechanisms that are monitored off-site by a third party.