Anyone Live in a Senior Subsidized Apartment ??

Naturally

Naturally

Well-known Member
Location
Corner of Walk 'n Don't Walk
I have a senior friend on social security that has hit a financial wall.
They are still trying to work well past retirement age but work schedules are not reliable.

Currently they live in a regular apartment out in town and have lived there a couple of decades.
The yearly rising rent has become untenable. And there aren't many if any less expensive apartments in the city they live.
Least not where a person might feel safe and comfortable.

My friend resists change, is frustrated by computers and bureaucratic processes to the point of stress and depression.

I've suggested looking into subsidized housing usually offered by cities and counties where rent is a fixed percentage of income.

But I'm not familiar with the process involved and can't direct my friend how to proceed in a confident manner.
... should they even chose to do so.

My friend is viable, mobile and not in need of a nursing home or anything like that ... just a MUCH less expensive place to live.
A place well kept, comfortable and friendly for seniors.

Any insights, heads up, pros and cons concerning acquiring a subsidized senior apartment are appreciated. Thank You !!!
 

I live in one and was able to bypass the waiting list by being considered "in need" of one as soon as possible. Most people get their names on the list of several buildings and just wait. The application I filled out was 28 pages long and very detailed. These apartments are for people who can take care of themselves and live independently. Just like a regular apartment building. The lower your income the less your rent is.
 

Might start with a Google search for the area or call, go to the local social security office? I could be way off here.

But I get the rising rents and they may want to get on a list ASAP if they don't have a disability.

It's one of the reasons I want to get into a mobile in a park. I don't want to go into one of those apartments though some can be very very nice. There are some in my town that are. Encourage them to start looking and getting info now.
 
I found a subsidized apartment at mutualhousing.com. I lived in it for about 6yrs or so, until just a few yrs ago. Paid about $400/mo for 1 bedrm.

The waiting lists for all subsidized housing in Calf is about 2-3 years, but that varies from state to state.

I only had to wait 5 months, because I could honestly put "displaced senior" on the application.
 
BookishAmy said:
May I ask how you went about getting the "in need" status? I've asked both the property offices and agencies for seniors and housing, and I'm getting nowhere. I know it exists in my county because I've heard of other people who have gotten in quickly because of need.
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It was because I lived in a house that did not have running water. It was off the grid but powered with solar and a wind turbine. Limited electric. I was not able to go to a doctor or dentist since 2002. Money for food was limited and I grew most of what we ate. I was having mobility issues and needed to get out of there.
 
What State is she in? You can help ensure she is paying the right amount, I can show you how if you want. But I need the county and state so I can look up the FMR and a few other things. Often, people are over-charged. She has rights if that's the case.
 
@LauraLoo ... my friend has decided to stay where she is for the time being. It is a nice apartment where she feels safe. The rent she is paying is low for the area and lower than someone just moving into the apartment complex would pay. So there's no way to get a lower monthly rent there. It isn't a senior facility or subsidized housing.

She still works though and has to in order to maintain life in that apartment. I've given her links to all agencies offering support for seniors and subsidized housing in her city and county. The ball is in her court should she chose to pursue those opportunities.

Thank you for trying to help !!! 🤗
 
If your friend meets the qualifications for a subsidized senior citizen apartment she should put her name on the waiting lists now for any complex that she is interested in.

The worst that can happen is that they will eventually offer her an apartment and she is free to decline and request to return to the bottom of the list.

In the event that she experiences what the social workers like to call a significant event she will have a better understanding of the process and where she would like to live. A social worker may then be able to help her jump to the top of the list based on immediate need.

Good luck!
 
Naturally said:
I have a senior friend on social security that has hit a financial wall.
They are still trying to work well past retirement age but work schedules are not reliable.

Currently they live in a regular apartment out in town and have lived there a couple of decades.
The yearly rising rent has become untenable. And there aren't many if any less expensive apartments in the city they live.
Least not where a person might feel safe and comfortable.

My friend resists change, is frustrated by computers and bureaucratic processes to the point of stress and depression.

I've suggested looking into subsidized housing usually offered by cities and counties where rent is a fixed percentage of income.

But I'm not familiar with the process involved and can't direct my friend how to proceed in a confident manner.
... should they even chose to do so.

My friend is viable, mobile and not in need of a nursing home or anything like that ... just a MUCH less expensive place to live.
A place well kept, comfortable and friendly for seniors.

Any insights, heads up, pros and cons concerning acquiring a subsidized senior apartment are appreciated. Thank You !!!
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Call 2-1-1 in your area. They may have lists of affordable housing places. There may be very long wait lists, like even 10 years long. One of the local ones here has a 3-year long wait list. It’s HORRIBLE what low income people are expected to endure. Ten years being homeless while you wait for others to die so you can have their apartment. THAT is what our f-ed up system expects.

Another way is to look up your town on Google Maps and then search “Nearby" for Senior Housing or Senior Apartments. Then start making calls to those that pop up. Some will only be assisted living, as in this example, but others will be apartments.

Example: Senior apartments near me

If there is a Senior Center near you that teaches free computer classes, maybe attend with him or her? When someone doesn’t want to DO something or learn something, it helps to have a friend with them to get through it.
 
My building is HUD housing. Meant for seniors. Anyway, our rent is based on our income and assets, so it can fluctuate up or down a few dollars. Yes, some folks have had their rent go down a few dollars at lease renewal. My rent has always been less than $500 a month. Next month when I renew it will go from $446 up to $449. But that being said, as I have mentioned before, I am still paying much less than when I lived in the mobile home park. Just before I moved here, I got a notification of lot rent increase to about $550 a month. Luckily I was able to buy my house and pay it in full, so I did not have house payments
 
Naturally said:
I have a senior friend on social security that has hit a financial wall.
They are still trying to work well past retirement age but work schedules are not reliable.

Currently they live in a regular apartment out in town and have lived there a couple of decades.
The yearly rising rent has become untenable. And there aren't many if any less expensive apartments in the city they live.
Least not where a person might feel safe and comfortable.

My friend resists change, is frustrated by computers and bureaucratic processes to the point of stress and depression.

I've suggested looking into subsidized housing usually offered by cities and counties where rent is a fixed percentage of income.

But I'm not familiar with the process involved and can't direct my friend how to proceed in a confident manner.
... should they even chose to do so.

My friend is viable, mobile and not in need of a nursing home or anything like that ... just a MUCH less expensive place to live.
A place well kept, comfortable and friendly for seniors.

Any insights, heads up, pros and cons concerning acquiring a subsidized senior apartment are appreciated. Thank You !!!
Click to expand...
My town is fairly low crime so I would live in subsidized housing. We've been supporting two relatives financially and borrowing against our home equity, but at some point we will have to sell and downsize as we are in our 70s.
 
I would like to move to an income based apartment, but it is just not an option for me at this point. My husband has his shop and wants to stay in the house where we live now. He takes care of most of the outside stuff anymore, as lawnmowing and even weedeating have gotten hard for me to do.
Last summer, i fell several times when i tripped over roots and stuff in the yard, so doing outside gardening is probably not for me anymore either.

One senior apartment that a friend lived in had a swimming pool inside, plus hot tub and exercise equipment. There was a general gathering area, and even a library, and people who were mobile walked around the outside of the building. I would be able to make some friends, and I miss having people in my life.
This would be perfect for me, but my husband would never move.
 
Happyflowerlady said:
I would like to move to an income based apartment, but it is just not an option for me at this point. My husband has his shop and wants to stay in the house where we live now. He takes care of most of the outside stuff anymore, as lawnmowing and even weedeating have gotten hard for me to do.
Last summer, i fell several times when i tripped over roots and stuff in the yard, so doing outside gardening is probably not for me anymore either.

One senior apartment that a friend lived in had a swimming pool inside, plus hot tub and exercise equipment. There was a general gathering area, and even a library, and people who were mobile walked around the outside of the building. I would be able to make some friends, and I miss having people in my life.
This would be perfect for me, but my husband would never move.
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I'm in exactly the same boat you are. I can't even convince my huzz to move to a house on an even slightly smaller lot closer to town.

Recently I left on comment on a site that had an article on how to convince your spouse to downsize housing and I told 'em, "More articles need to be written telling American men that they won't lose their manhood if they downsize." (But of course, being men, they'd never read such an article, sigh.)
 
officerripley said:
I'm in exactly the same boat you are. I can't even convince my huzz to move to a house on an even slightly smaller lot closer to town.

Recently I left on comment on a site that had an article on how to convince your spouse to downsize housing and I told 'em, "More articles need to be written telling American men that they won't lose their manhood if they downsize." (But of course, being men, they'd never read such an article, sigh.)
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I see the men in my building seem to have the most trouble adjusting to living here. Especially the ones who had a house of their own. They are used to taking care of their homes, yards, cars, etc. Coming here with nothing to do outside is hard for them. Most of them end up watching television most of the time.

Our building did set up a room with some activities and where they can hang out. As you know that is not what they are missing. My 93 year old father was taking care of his house and vehicles up until the day he had a stroke and went to the hospital. I don't think it is the downsizing, but losing their control. In my building they are not in charge of their own place anymore.
 
Naturally said:
I have a senior friend on social security that has hit a financial wall.
They are still trying to work well past retirement age but work schedules are not reliable.

Currently they live in a regular apartment out in town and have lived there a couple of decades.
The yearly rising rent has become untenable. And there aren't many if any less expensive apartments in the city they live.
Least not where a person might feel safe and comfortable.

My friend resists change, is frustrated by computers and bureaucratic processes to the point of stress and depression.

I've suggested looking into subsidized housing usually offered by cities and counties where rent is a fixed percentage of income.

But I'm not familiar with the process involved and can't direct my friend how to proceed in a confident manner.
... should they even chose to do so.

My friend is viable, mobile and not in need of a nursing home or anything like that ... just a MUCH less expensive place to live.
A place well kept, comfortable and friendly for seniors.

Any insights, heads up, pros and cons concerning acquiring a subsidized senior apartment are appreciated. Thank You !!!
Click to expand...
I've considered subsided housing but they have too many rules and regulations from what I have seen visiting other people. I have been living in a regular apartment for 14 years now. Fortunately the rent is still affordable ($675). I have a few friends who left subsided apartments because of the problems and regulations, plus I see maintenance issues on the news regularly.
 
Maybe part of it is that they have more of what they want in their life than we ladies have. My husband gets more SS pension than I do, so he can afford to do more things, plus he does some handyman jobs for one of the landlords here and makes a little extra from that.
He has his shop out back, and enjoys making things. He has friends who come by and visit, so he has people to talk to.

After i was having the dizzy spells a couple of years ago and stopped driving, now he does not want me to even drive anywhere alone, even though I am not having dizzy spells anymore. He hates going shopping, and I miss that, but have adapted to the ordering online and having it delivered. I was going to get a small car to drive places, but once I realized that he would not let me drive it, I gave up that idea.

The two people in my life that I had conversations with online both died, so I really do not have conversations with anyone anymore. I would be lost if i didn’t have Poodle to keep me company, and people to chat with on forums.
So, while I see moving to an apartment as gaining some good things in my life, and he sees it as losing the good things in his life.
 
katlupe said:
I see the men in my building seem to have the most trouble adjusting to living here. Especially the ones who had a house of their own. They are used to taking care of their homes, yards, cars, etc. Coming here with nothing to do outside is hard for them. Most of them end up watching television most of the time.

Our building did set up a room with some activities and where they can hang out. As you know that is not what they are missing. My 93 year old father was taking care of his house and vehicles up until the day he had a stroke and went to the hospital. I don't think it is the downsizing, but losing their control. In my building they are not in charge of their own place anymore.
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True, but somehow men who have grown up in and always lived in apartments or houses with very small yards in large cities seem to find plenty to do all their lives. You know, I've overheard all my life, country or suburban men making fun of city men, that city men aren't "real men" because they're not outdoors all the time, etc. (All this worry over what makes someone a "real" man or woman; what a buncha hooey.)
 
officerripley said:
True, but somehow men who have grown up in and always lived in apartments or houses with very small yards in large cities seem to find plenty to do all their lives. You know, I've overheard all my life, country or suburban men making fun of city men, that city men aren't "real men" because they're not outdoors all the time, etc. (All this worry over what makes someone a "real" man or woman; what a buncha hooey.)
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You are right about that. I think most of the men that live here that seem unhappy and bored are the ones who came from rural homes. My neighbor across the hall is 86 and has always lived in apartments. He leaves on his electric bicycle every morning to meet his friends for coffee. He is gone usually all day. So I guess he finds stuff to do and has friends around town.

One thing that has improved here is that the manager let the guys put up a garden shed out back. They are still going out there. It is their hang out and they grew vegetables there all summer and fall. Their moods greatly improved! For awhile a group of them were cleaning and mowing the lawn since our maintenance man has to keep up with two other buildings. Then the manager's boss found out and said tenants cannot do any of that type of work. Not even vacuum the hallways outside our doors! Said it is a HUD regulation in case someone gets hurt. Too bad because they were enjoying doing it.
 
Naturally said:
I have a senior friend on social security that has hit a financial wall.
They are still trying to work well past retirement age but work schedules are not reliable.

Currently they live in a regular apartment out in town and have lived there a couple of decades.
The yearly rising rent has become untenable. And there aren't many if any less expensive apartments in the city they live.
Least not where a person might feel safe and comfortable.

My friend resists change, is frustrated by computers and bureaucratic processes to the point of stress and depression.

I've suggested looking into subsidized housing usually offered by cities and counties where rent is a fixed percentage of income.

But I'm not familiar with the process involved and can't direct my friend how to proceed in a confident manner.
... should they even chose to do so.

My friend is viable, mobile and not in need of a nursing home or anything like that ... just a MUCH less expensive place to live.
A place well kept, comfortable and friendly for seniors.

Any insights, heads up, pros and cons concerning acquiring a subsidized senior apartment are appreciated. Thank You !!!
Click to expand...
I had clients in subsidized apartments. Rent & Water came with the rent and they deducted $500 off because she was a senior. So she didn't pay the full 30% of her income like you hear. However, if he's working, he MUST get set hours. If not, it's too much red tape to bother with. Her apartment was a bit loud....some rowdy neighbors but it was not a Senior Complex. If he has a 401k or retirement plan, they count any distributions as income but don't look at assets. Meaning they look at it but don't count it against him. THope this helps.
 
katlupe said:
You are right about that. I think most of the men that live here that seem unhappy and bored are the ones who came from rural homes. My neighbor across the hall is 86 and has always lived in apartments. He leaves on his electric bicycle every morning to meet his friends for coffee. He is gone usually all day. So I guess he finds stuff to do and has friends around town.

One thing that has improved here is that the manager let the guys put up a garden shed out back. They are still going out there. It is their hang out and they grew vegetables there all summer and fall. Their moods greatly improved! For awhile a group of them were cleaning and mowing the lawn since our maintenance man has to keep up with two other buildings. Then the manager's boss found out and said tenants cannot do any of that type of work. Not even vacuum the hallways outside our doors! Said it is a HUD regulation in case someone gets hurt. Too bad because they were enjoying doing it.
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You live about an hour and a half or so away from me. We have an idoit for manager. Basically everyone here stays to themselves. I've wondered how it is where you are as the countryside is beautiful.
 
dusty said:
You live about an hour and a half or so away from me. We have an idoit for manager. Basically everyone here stays to themselves. I've wondered how it is where you are as the countryside is beautiful.
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Well we have gone through our share of managers in the almost 7 years that I have lived here. Our present one, I like very much and hope we can keep her. Trouble is the management company makes her manage two other buildings from time to time. But us tenants do a lot for our building if it isn't being done by management or maintenance. You could come visit me and see it for yourself if you like.
 
katlupe said:
Well we have gone through our share of managers in the almost 7 years that I have lived here. Our present one, I like very much and hope we can keep her. Trouble is the management company makes her manage two other buildings from time to time. But us tenants do a lot for our building if it isn't being done by management or maintenance. You could come visit me and see it for yourself if you like.
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Thanks, I would like to visit---in the spring. Is CRM the company? It is here.
 
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