Government Housing Options for Assisted Living

No, the government does not offer assisted living, though it does offer housing assistance that can help offset a senior’s cost of housing. Assistance is available to eligible seniors with a disability or of low income age 62+ through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).

HUD oversees three major programs that may help seniors who need help paying for housing:

• Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8)
• Section 202 (Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program)
• Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC)

Note: Aside from the above programs, the federal government also runs the Armed Forces Retirement Home at two campuses: One in Washington, D.C., and the other in Gulfport, Mississippi. However, this option may have a long wait list.

Can you afford assisted living?

In general, a person is eligible for HUD support if they are a citizen or eligible immigrant, have low income, are elderly, or are disabled.^[01]

You may benefit from HUD support if you meet any of these requirements:

• You have U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status. Make sure to have your U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status documents ready before filing for HUD assistance.
• You qualify as low-income. This is determined by your annual gross income. The definition of low-income varies by state, so it’s a good idea to check your state’s regulations to see if you qualify.
• You qualify as elderly. Anyone 62 or older is considered elderly. If you’re 55 or older and need housing assistance, you can request an exemption. In this case, you must satisfy the “55 or older” exemption requirements.
• You qualify as a person with a disability. If you have an existing disability, make sure you have access to your letter from the Social Security Administration that shows that you’ve been approved.^[01]

Because requirements may differ by state, it’s important to check your local HUD office for more information. Learn more about each option to help you make an informed choice that best fits your loved one’s needs.

HUD offers three programs that may help a senior pay for housing: the Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8), Section 202 (Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program), and the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC).

Housing Choice Voucher Program (Section 8 assisted living)

More commonly known as Section 8, this program allows low-income individuals, including seniors, to access “safe, and sanitary housing … at a reasonable rent.”^[03] To qualify, an applicant must have an income that does not exceed 50% of the local area’s median income. Applicants can choose any housing that meets program standards, and they may look outside of options located in subsidized housing projects.

Once an applicant has located a unit they’d like to rent and signed a lease, their local public housing agency (PHA) pays the landlord an agreed-upon portion of the rent due. Anything above this amount is paid by the applicant. The applicant’s payment for rent and utilities is at most 30% of their gross adjusted income.^[02]

It’s important to note that the Section 8 Voucher Program is not a senior-specific program that only relates to assisted living. However, Section 8 may be a good option for your elderly loved one if they need financial help.

Section 202 (Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program)

Section 202 is a HUD program specifically for adults 62+ whose income does not exceed 50% of the local area’s median income. Whereas Section 8 is available to anyone who qualifies, Section 202 is exclusively for the elderly.^[03]

The Section 202 program serves a dual purpose in that it both funds the creation of affordable housing (nonprofits apply for grants and use the money to secure and renovate housing units) and creates a venue for seniors to apply to live in that housing. Seniors wishing to apply for Section 202 housing do so through a local PHA.

Section 202 is similar to Section 8 in that participants pay at most 30% of their adjusted gross income for rent and utilities. However, Section 202 housing is unique because it connects very low-income, elderly Americans with support services, such as cleaning, cooking, and transportation.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit

Although this option isn’t specifically designed for seniors seeking a place to live, it ensures there’s enough low-income housing to meet demand. Through this program, the government offers a tax credit to developers to build or renovate housing to accommodate low-income residents. Developers seek grants from local governments to help offset the cost of building or renovating affordable units.^[04] These units are then made available through a PHA to low-income residents who qualify for HUD housing.

HUD also operates the Assisted Living Conversion program, which helps nonprofit organizations convert some or all of the dwelling units they oversee into an assisted living facility or service-enriched housing for seniors seeking to age in place.^[05] These units are accessible through the HUD programs discussed above.

Expert advice for affordable assisted living

Contact your local HUD Public Housing Agency if you or your loved one are in need of low-income senior housing. You can also search for senior housing options in your area, such as independent senior apartments or cooperative housing for older adults. If you’re interested in learning more about public housing for seniors, you can contact your local HUD Field Office.

HUD also maintains a helpful Information for Senior Citizens page with information on reverse mortgages, housing counseling, and more.

Additionally, some states offer assistance for low-income housing. State options for government housing vary, and many are listed in the National Low Income Housing Coalition’s Find Rental Housing Programs search tool. Your loved one may also be able to pay for assisted living with social security benefits.

These government-supported options can help your loved one fund an assisted living-like arrangement and may help make room in a tight budget for other needs, like in-home care. No matter your path, A Place for Mom’s Senior Living Advisors can filter community and agency recommendations based on your loved one’s care needs and, most importantly, budget, all at no cost.