Low-income senior housing: Section 202 and other options
Several federal programs help older adults with low incomes rent a safe, affordable home. This guide covers Section 202 housing, public housing and vouchers, and how to apply.
General information only. This guide is not medical, legal or financial advice. Talk with a physician, and with an elder-law or financial professional where money or legal papers are involved, about your own situation.
What affordable senior housing is
HUD funds several kinds of rental help for people with low incomes. Older adults use all of them:
- Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly helps build affordable, accessible housing for older adults with low incomes.
- Public housing is owned and run by local public housing agencies.
- Housing Choice Vouchers, also called Section 8, help pay rent for a home on the private market.
Who qualifies
Section 202 is federal housing for people age 62 and older with low incomes. Public housing and vouchers serve low-income families, older adults and people with disabilities.
Income limits are based on the area median income, so they differ by place and change over time. Public housing and voucher programs also look at citizenship or eligible immigration status. The local agency lists the current limits.
How rent is set
In these programs, rent is usually tied to income. A household with a voucher pays a set share of its income toward rent, and the voucher pays some or all of the rest.
In subsidized buildings, the government pays owners to offer lower rents to tenants with low incomes. The agency or property can explain how rent is figured for a given household.
How to apply
For a voucher or public housing, contact your local public housing agency to learn about eligibility and how to apply. For a Section 202 or other subsidized building, search for a participating property and apply there.
Ask the agency or property how its application process works. The Eldercare Locator can point you to local housing help.
Frequently asked questions
Section 202 sponsors must show that services will be available at the building or in the community. Many buildings have a service coordinator who helps residents reach them.
Yes. A Housing Choice Voucher can pay all or part of the rent for privately owned housing, including apartments, townhouses and single-family homes.
Local public housing agencies own and run public housing. They also handle Housing Choice Vouchers in their area.
Sources
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