|
WHAT IS GOVERNMENT ASSISTED HOUSING?
Government housing assistance is available to low-income older persons through
three major programs: public housing, Section 8, and Section 202. Public housing
and Section 8 programs are managed by local housing authorities, and Section
202 housing is sponsored on a complex-by-complex basis by non-profit companies.
Most of these programs are over-subscribed, with waiting lists that vary in
length. This fact sheet is designed to provide basic information about housing
programs
and the procedures for obtaining housing assistance.
WHAT TYPE OF HOUSING ASSISTANCE IS AVAILABLE?
Three basic types of government housing assistance are:
- Public housing -- low cost housing in multi-unit
complexes that are available to low-income families,
including
the elderly and disabled, typically requiring tenants
to pay no more than 30 percent of their monthly income
for rent. Eligibility: Public housing authorities
that receive funding from the federal government
own and
operate public housing complexes, available to applicants
that do not exceed published income levels (dependent
on the size of the household).
- Section 8 rental certificates -- allows very low-income
families (including the elderly and disabled) to
choose where they want to live, subject to HUD standards,
by providing rental certificates that limit tenants'
rent to 30 percent of their adjusted monthly income.
Eligibility: Very low-income families with incomes
not exceeding 50 percent of the median income for
the
area.
- Section 202 housing -- senior citizen housing,
usually with supportive services such as meals, transportation,
and accommodations for the disabled. Eligibility:
Private,
non-profit organizations and consumer cooperatives.
Occupancy is open to very low-income households with
at least one person 62 years of age or older, and
the disabled.
WHY DO OLDER PEOPLE APPLY FOR HOUSING ASSISTANCE?
Some of the reasons that older people apply for government housing assistance
include:
- Want lower housing costs
- Want a safer neighborhood
- Want a better quality
home
- Want to live with other seniors
- Have difficulty
climbing stairs
- Want services (meals, in present
residence transportation)
WHICH HOUSING PROGRAM IS RIGHT FOR YOU?
| I Want... |
Public Housing |
Section 8 |
Section 202 |
| Lower housing costs ? |
 |
|
|
| A safer neighborhood ? |
|
|
|
| A better quality home ? |
|
|
|
| To live with other seniors |
|
|
|
| A place with no stairs to climb |
|
|
|
| Services (meals and transportation) |
|
|
|
| To be closer to family ? |
|
|
|
| My own household ? |
|
|
|
FEDERAL PREFERENCE
RULES-SHOULD YOU APPLY OF SHOULDN’T
YOU?
Federal law requires that housing applicants who meet
certain criteria be given preference for admission to
government assisted housing: these applicants are placed
higher on the waiting list, and should receive assistance
before those who do not meet federal
housing preferences.
Preference for admission is extended to applicants
who:
- have severe rent burden; that is, pay housing
costs (rent or mortgage plus utilities) that
exceed 50 percent of monthly income;
- are being involuntarily
displaced (by fire, threat of violence, or government
action); or
- live in substandard housing (severe
plumbing, electrical, or structural problems).
Because of the shortage of government assisted housing,
it is difficult for applicants not meeting federal
housing preferences to receive assistance. However,
availability of housing assistance may vary from area
to area. Most local housing authorities have
long lists of persons waiting for government assisted
housing. Check with your local housing authority to
determine conditions where you want to live.
Where to Apply, and What to Bring With You:
- If you are interested in public housing or Section
8 assistance, contact the local housing
authority in the area where you wish to live. You
can find you local housing authority by going
to the following
HUD website: www.hud.gov/offices/pih/pha/contacts/index.cfm
- If you are interested in Section 202 housing, contact
your local housing authority or your Area Agency
on Aging (AAA) for a list of the complexes in your
area.
You can get contact information for you local AAA
by going to www.eldercare.gov.
Because of federal preference rules, you should bring
with you any information that demonstrates that you
may qualify:
- Pay excessive rent? Bring tax returns and pay stubs,
plus your lease or a letter from your landlord
verifying the rent you are paying.
- Being involuntarily displaced? Bring the letter
of notification from the agency taking the displacement
action.
- Live in substandard housing? Bring a letter
from your landlord, or the notification of condemnation.
Information for this fact sheet was provided by the
National Resource Center on Supportive Housing & Home
Modification. For more information visit the Center’s
website at http://www.homemods.org.
- Espanol
 (124KB)
(Spanish)
 (166KB)
(Chinese) (153KB)
(Russian)   Printer-Friendly
Page
Last Updated: 07/06/2005
|
