HUD Guidelines for Qualifying for Senior Housing

Affordable housing allows seniors to maintain an independent lifestyle.

Many affordable housing developments are restricted to the senior population. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development provides the funding for these senior communities so rents can remain affordable. Qualified seniors pay up to 30 percent of their income toward rent. A HUD assistance payment covers the remaining portion of rent. Seniors can apply directly with the senior housing community to obtain an affordable housing unit. HUD provides a list of affordable housing communities strictly for seniors.

Age Requirement

For a senior to live in an affordable housing community, in most cases, he must be 62 years of age or older. A spouse or another family member can reside in the rental unit as long as the head of household is 62 years of age or older. Children and live-in aides can be included in the household composition. The applicant will be required to provide verification of age prior to be being accepted into the senior community.

People with Disabilities

Many senior housing communities allow people with disabilities to reside in an affordable unit regardless of age. The head of household must be the person with a disability over the age of 18. HUD's definition of disability include anyone with a physical, mental, emotional or developmental disability that is a permanent condition. Most senior housing communities must have a percentage of units set aside for the mobility impaired. These units can be assigned to both elderly and non-elderly households with a disabled head of household.

Income

The applicant must meet income level requirements to reside in a senior affordable housing community. HUD requires that senior housing community administrators restrict rental units to low, very low and extremely low income level applicants. Some senior housing communities must admit extremely low income level applicants prior to other higher income level applicants to satisfy HUD's income targeting quota. Once the extremely low income tenants have occupied 40 percent of the rental units in the senior community, the higher income applicants will be selected for the program. HUD publishes and adjusts county income limit levels on an annual basis.

Citizenship

There is a restriction on assistance to non-citizens for HUD's affordable housing programs. Only U.S. citizens and non-citizens with eligible immigration status are allowed to reside in affordable senior housing. The entire household must meet this requirement and the applicant will be requested to submit verification of citizenship status. If a family member does not meet this requirement, the rental subsidy will be pro-rated to exclude the ineligible household member.

References

• HUD: Occupancy Requirements of Subsidized Multifamily Housing Programs (4350.3)
• HUD USER: Income limits
• HUD USER: Information for Seniors