Are You a Senior? Here’s How to Find Affordable Housing.

Searching for affordable housing as a senior on a budget can feel overwhelming. Whether you’re searching for yourself or on behalf of a loved one, it’s important to search with location, level of independence and lifestyle in mind, and not to overlook the resources at your disposal. Here’s how to get started finding affordable housing as a senior.

Start with Where and How

Retirement communities and senior housing make a great deal of sense for seniors on a fixed income. They offer substantial government assistance, accommodation for progressive aging, and more resources for seeking out the senior lifestyle you want. 

It’s important to consider your level of independence when exploring your affordable housing options. How much help do you need with your daily tasks? That can determine the types of communities you seek out — and opens doors to government assistance available to those who need more support. If you’re disabled, then you’ll want to look for housing that offers appropriate accommodations for those with limited mobility, senior transportation and health care.

For active seniors, consider what you’d like access to in order to live a life you enjoy. If you want to live near the places you visit regularly, such as a place of worship or senior center, that can help narrow your search.

As with any search for housing, start by considering your lifestyle and finding your budget. If you struggle to find housing you can afford without assistance, you’ll know whether to seek out government assistance. There are a wealth of resources at your fingertips through the government.

Work with Housing and Urban Development

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development can help seniors find and pay for housing. HUD.gov/topics/rental_assistance, after55.com, or seniorhousing.net is where to get started. If you or a loved one struggle with the Internet, you can call HUD directly at (800) 955-2232, and they’ll assist you. Here are some of the options at your disposal:

• The Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8) provides a voucher good for a certain amount of rent, which you’ll give to your property manager each month.
• The HUD can help some private apartment owners offer subsidized housing with reduced rent to lower-income tenants. This works well for seniors on a budget seeking a more traditional property management experience.
• Public housing communities overseen by a city or public housing agency are available to the elderly and disabled. 
• The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit provides housing to low income families, and includes rent that doesn’t go over a fixed threshold.
• Finally, Section 202 is an initiative that helps seniors and the disabled. This is a great option for seniors who are mostly able to live on their own, but need some help with daily tasks.

Contact Harmony Communities for Help

If you’re a senior searching for affordable housing or are looking for a loved one, our communities may be right for you! Call us at (209) 932-8747 or email us at [email protected]. We’d love to help you discuss whether living with us may be right for you.

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At Harmony Communities, we feel strongly that each resident has a sense of home. That they come home from work and feel pride in their environment and in their place in the greater community. That families are comfortable raising children in our neighborhoods, and that couples and singles know that they belong to something bigger than their four walls. In other words, we seek to create harmony within each community, making our communities not just passable, but peaceful, safe, functional, and beautiful.