Find Legal Topics > Elder Law Laws > Easy Overview to Subsidized Housing for Seniors

Easy Overview to Subsidized Housing for Seniors

Easy Overview to Subsidized Housing for Seniors

 Sometimes, it is not as if older people may not live alone by themselves, but that they do not have a residence on which they can really count. Senior living arrangements may be a tricky subject indeed. In the event elder members of society can neither afford their current domicile nor live with their kin, they may be charged with finding a different space to call their own.

At the same time, however, there is a strong likelihood that they will not be able to work anymore given their advanced age, or the likelihood that they do not have a huge amount of savings to put toward securing a place. Subsidized senior housing, then, might be these individuals' saving grace. For the reader who is not too familiar with the concept of subsidized housing, here are some ideas about what subsidized senior living may entail:

Obviously, critical to understanding subsidized senior housing is knowing what "subsidized" means in the first place. Something that is subsidized is paid for (at least in part) by government monies, also predictably known as "subsidies." As such, subsidized senior living spaces are just what they sound like. Where exactly do these subsidies come from, though, and what must people do to qualify for them? Responding to the first part of the question, subsidized senior housing is provided for at both the state and federal levels by housing administrations.

As for the requirements, financial breaks on senior living are realized only for applicants (be they the prospective inhabitants themselves or their family sponsors) whose income is insufficient enough to warrant clemency. As of fiscal year 2009, the income limit is $46,000 for individuals and $53,000 for married couples. Anything above these tallies is grounds for refusal of benefits, pending review by appointed governmental agencies.  

Subsidized senior housing, as with any form of subsidized housing, is low-income residence. It should be noted this does not necessarily equate to the facility being low in quality as well, although the size of each unit in a reduced income complex may be relatively small. Subsidized senior living is a public service, and therefore reflects the moralistic nature of governmental aid.

As hinted at, subsidized senior housing may—or usually will—only cover a portion of rent payments, but if nothing else, the portion of the payer's income or money saved to be paid every month will be significantly lower. Besides, subsidized senior living spaces grant minor modifications to the premises in light of seniors' special needs.

Of course, cognisance of the benefits of subsidized senior housing is not worth much unless an elderly person and his or her family can locate a suitable, affordable residence. It may be hard to know where to begin such a search and who to trust upon receipt on receiving tidbits of information.

One useful conduit for details on subsidized senior living and/or subsidized housing for people with disabilities is the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, referred to as HUD for short, allows for visitors to its website to search for affordable apartments across the United States based on state, county, and even individual municipality. 

Related Topics