What Is a Senior Apartment?
Packed with age-friendly accommodations and amenities, a senior apartment caters to the lifestyles of older adults, including walk-in showers with safety features, common areas with TVs or libraries, laundry rooms with washers and dryers and convenient access to shopping and medical appointments, a number of reliable ground-level accommodations, such as elevators, wheelchair-accessible units, and safety features, so these age-restricted apartments (typically 55+ or 62+ years of age) can meet the different needs of the seniors. Senior apartments are built with the needs of seniors in mind.
Low-Income Apartments for Seniors
With rising inflation and the dramatic cost of living increase, many areas of our country are in an affordable housing crisis. It's where low-income apartments for older adults come into play. Below are several options to explore:
Programs | Qualification | How to Apply |
---|---|---|
Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8 Housing) | 1. U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status. 2. The family's income may not exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which the family chooses to live. | Contact the local PHA, For further assistance, please contact the HUD Office nearest to you. |
Public Housing Program | 1. Annual gross income not exceed 50% of the median income for the county or metropolitan area in which the family chooses to live. 2. Whether you qualify as elderly, a person with a disability, or as a family. 3. U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status. | Contact your local HA. If you have trouble contacting the HA, contact the local HUD field Office |
State Rental Assistance | In addition to the federal rental assistance, homeownership and home buying assistance programs, there may be programs sponsored by your state or local government or other organizations that can help you. | Please visit HUD.gov Local Information |
Veterans Administration Housing Help | 1. Be the head, spouse, or co-head of a family 2. Be under age 62 3. Have a disability 4. Meet other NED eligibility requirements based on your income and where you live | Look up and contact your local public housing agency |
Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program (Section 202 housing assistance) | 1. Very low-income household 2. At least one person who is at least 62 years old at the time of initial occupancy. | Please visit HUD.gov Section 202 Program |
These Organizations Help You Find Affordable Senior Apartments
- Volunteers of America (VOA)
The organization is the nation's largest nonprofit provider of quality, affordable senior housing for low- and moderate-income levels. The VOA’s affordable housing network includes over 500 properties in 42 states and Puerto Rico. This organization helps you find housing based on income guidelines, veteran status, or one’s disability.
- HumanGood
The organization is a nprofit senior living provider. They operate over 100 affordable housing communities across five states (California, Delaware, Oregon, Pennsylvania, and Washington).
- Mercy Housing
The organization offers affordable, program-enriched housing across the country. This nonprofit organization manages hundreds of properties and has helped provide over 100,000 affordable homes.
Questions to Ask When Selecting a Senior Apartment
Spend some time in asking the apartment manager what other amenities the facility offers. This will give you a good idea of the residents and staff.
- Health and Safety Questions
- Are grab bars installed in the bathtub, shower, and next to the toilet?
- What is the proximity to the local hospital, medical, and dental care?
- Is the senior apartment a gated community with security cameras?
- Are there security guards or someone on duty to monitor the facility?
- Apartment Living Questions
- Is there a maintenance person and property manager on-site?
- Is internet service included?
- Is transportation to doctors and shopping provided?
- Are younger family members able to visit?
- Community Questions
- Are there walking trails and parks nearby?
- Are group activities and outings offered?
- Are there common areas for residents to use?
- Do they offer worship services or a chapel?
Source
To ensure authenticity, the above information is quoted in: Senior Apartments in 2024
To learn more about Affordable Senior Apartments visit:
https://www.seniorliving.org/care/cost/affordable/
https://my.aarpfoundation.org/article/affordable-senior-housing/