Senior department officials were at the Tampa Housing Authority on Friday to launch an assisted-living information resource that will help some 3,700 public housing authorities modernize and create more senior public housing options and provide seniors with access to such services as meals, healthcare providers and transportation.

"Our senior citizens should not be prematurely institutionalized because of a lack of services in their current residences," said Michael Liu, HUD assistant secretary. "The website and call-center will show housing authorities how they can create facilities to allow their elderly residents to age-in-place."

The Senior Housing Information Center is accessible via the Internet or by calling 888-245-8938 toll-free.

The call-center will be available Monday through Friday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Representatives will refer callers to experts in the field. The general public can also get information about service-enriched public housing.