Older Adult Rental Assistance Programs

Getting adequate and affordable housing is a major concern for older adults. Older adults often have limited incomes, reduced mobility, and higher healthcare expenses. 

Adequate housing for older adults should, at least, meet the following criteria:

• Located in a safe area
• Near transportation, grocery stores, and health care facilities or medical providers
• Adequate heating, air conditioning, and ventilation
• Meet housing, health, and safety code requirements
• Accommodations for mobility issues or other disabilities (ramps, handrails, etc.)
• Cost no more than 30% of an older adult’s income

Older adults often face challenges in locating adequate housing they can afford. For those 65 years of age or older, finding low-income housing is an added challenge on top of health care and mobility issues. This can be overwhelming and discouraging, especially in cities or counties where affordable housing is limited. Legal help is available for older adults facing benefit denials or barriers to accessing rental programs.

To avoid eviction or foreclosure, older adults are often forced to make significant tradeoffs. This means cutting back on food, transportation, and medical expenses. Fortunately, several resources are available to help older adults find affordable housing. Keep reading to learn more about older adult rental help programs, eligibility guidelines, and how to apply.

What Types of Elderly Rental Assistance Programs Are Available?

Not all older adults can afford long-term care or caregivers. Senior centers and nursing homes are extremely expensive. For this reason, federal and state governments give rental assistance to low-income older adults. This is primarily through affordable housing or various housing voucher programs.

This help is generally provided by the federal Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). It is then administered by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) at the state and county levels.

Public Housing Basics

Affordable housing is available to low-income families. This includes those who qualify as elderly or disabled.

Typically, tenants will not pay more than 30% of their monthly income for an affordable housing unit. Local PHAs that receive federal government funding own and operate such housing.

To be eligible for affordable housing as an elderly person, you must:

• Be 62 or older
• Have an annual income that’s no more than the “lower income” limit for the geographical area

HUD publishes updated income limits annually. There are also exceptions for those 55 or older.

Housing Voucher Program Basics

Housing voucher programs provide rental assistance for private market rental units. One example is the Housing Choice Voucher Program (formerly called “Section 8” ) run by HUD. Here, the PHAs pay the voucher directly to property owners. The resident pays the difference owed on the rent.

These programs involve a greater variety of housing options. Older adults can choose their preferred housing location from the private market. But the property owner must agree to the voucher program’s terms.

To be eligible for the Housing Choice Voucher Program, an adult must be 62 or older. They must also meet the “Very Low-Income Limit” for the geographical area. These limits are published annually by HUD.

How Does HUD Determine Income Eligibility?

HUD determines income eligibility for either affordable housing or housing voucher programs. HUD will look to the following sources:

• Wages, salaries, overtime, commission, fees, tips, and bonuses (before any payroll deductions)
• The net income from a business
• Interest, dividends, and any other net income from real or personal properties
• Payments from Social Security, Medicaid and Medicare, retirement funds, disability, or death benefits
• Payments in lieu of earnings (unemployment, workers’ compensation, severance pay, etc.)
• Welfare benefits like Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF)
• Access to public benefits such as veterans’ benefits, unemployment compensation, and Supplemental Security Income (SSI)
• Alimony or child support
• Regular contributions or gifts from persons not residing with the applicant

How Do I Apply for a Rental Assistance Program?

If you or an older adult needs rental help, contact your local PHA to determine eligibility and submit an application. You can locate a PHA near you by searching for resources by state on HUD’s website.

You can also contact an attorney focused on government benefits. They can teach you more about federal and state rental assistance programs available to you. To find an attorney near you, see FindLaw’s attorney directory.

Housing Resources for Older Adults

Contact your state’s human services or social services agency for additional information on rental assistance programs available to older adults in your area.

For general information on fair housing and tenant rights, see FindLaw’s Tenant Rights. For general information on housing discrimination, including age discrimination, see FindLaw’s Housing Discrimination: FAQs.

How To Find Legal Help

If you’re being denied housing benefits you qualify for or facing confusing program rules, you are not alone. An attorney experienced in housing benefits can step in to challenge mistakes, clarify eligibility, and push agencies to act. If you are facing the eviction process, an attorney can also help with that. Expert legal advice and legal representation can make all the difference.

FindLaw’s directory of tenant rights attorneys can connect you to qualified legal help near you. Start by entering your city or ZIP code for a list of legal professionals in your area. Your search results will also show important details about prospective lawyers, like ratings and whether they offer free case evaluations.

Contact your state’s legal assistance program if you cannot afford to hire an attorney. Most states offer free legal services or legal aid to help older adults navigate a state’s rental assistance program. The Area Agencies on Aging (AAA) Eldercare Locator is also a great legal resource for older adults facing legal issues.

Lastly, if you or someone you know suffers from elder abuse, contact Adult Protective Services or your local long-term care ombudsman program immediately. Once you have reported the abuse, consult with an elder law attorney near you for next steps.