Life In A Senior Affordable High-Rise

[DailyArtsyCrafter]

I will likely have to move out of state when I fully retire.

Even if your husband is still with you? I know that the cost of living in CA has continued to rise and that many residents are leaving.

 

[officerripley]

My husband won't go for an apartment, but ... if something happened to him and I was alone - I would certainly consider it and if it was less expensive than the average apartment in California --- that would absolutely help!! I figure, I will likely have to move out of state when I fully retire.

I'm in the same situation as you, my husband absolutely refuses to consider downsizing out of where we live now; I'd love to move out of here.

 

[CaliS]

Even if your husband is still with you? I know that the cost of living in CA has continued to rise and that many residents are leaving.

We talked about moving to another state, but he has 4 kids and I have 1 living in So Cal , so we'd rather stay near them if we can.

 

[Happyflowerlady]

I'm in the same situation as you, my husband absolutely refuses to consider downsizing out of where we live now; I'd love to move out of here.

This is my situation as well. My husband takes care of just about everything outside in the yard, and things in the house as well. If he were not here, there is no way that I could do the yard work necessary to take care of this place, the property is almost a half acre, so it is a large yard, and lots of bushes.
I would miss having a house, but an apartment would be much better for me if i were alone, and since I am low income, it would have to be a subsidized one, too.

My daughter lives here in the same city , but she is living and working overseas for the foreseeable future, so I would be alone if my husband died. I would like to move back out to either Washington or Idaho, where I have family, and find an apartment out there.

 

[DailyArtsyCrafter]

I’ve decided to keep adding my tagging list whenever I post a new episode. It will be easier for you to find my latest post without scrolling through lots of comments. If you don’t want to be tagged, or if you want me to add you to the tag list, let me know. Since I have lived in 4 HUD-subsidized apartments, I will be speaking mostly in general about what I know, as I share about where I'm living now.

The pic above is the front entrance automated doors. For some senior apartments, you can be placed on their waitlist with basic info submitted. They will tell you that you are on it upon submission. For others, they ask for a complete application and will send you a letter telling you whether or not you qualify for their waitlist. Sometimes you may be asked to let them know every so many months that you are still interested. If they don’t hear from you they will drop you from their wait list. Others just ask that you let them know if your phone# or address changes.


This is to the left of the front doors. Background, credit, citizenship and previous rental are checked to approve applications. How far back they check rental varies per property. Some check 3 yrs back, some 5. They like you to account for all of the time. I spent a year vandwelling/boondocking out west. I put on my application what I could.

There was no landlord, no rental amount, etc. I had to add that for this application and for the apartment I moved from, so it did not prevent me from being accepted. It is possible that they want to account for all time because of the possibility of someone having been to prison and not revealing it.


This is to the right of the front doors. Plenty of seating everywhere outside. I will be adding my own bike to the rack when I buy one. I'm going to check some thrift stores. Even though the rack is on the front and the property is gated, I don't know how safe a bike would be from theft. Don't want to invest too much. When my son was growing up, 2 bikes were stolen from him at different times. I said I don't want to be stupid anymore. Things happen so fast and so unexpectedly.


There are mobility and shopping aids at the front and back entrances for anyone to use. Some types of felonies are sometimes accepted. No sexual offenders accepted. I don’t know what the lowest credit rating can be. I’ve been blessed to have a good credit rating for some time now, so I've not had to wonder or ask. With evictions, some say no evictions in the last 3 yrs, others longer. Many ask if you have ever been evicted. They usually give you space to explain.


Just for fun and a prelude to the outside areas, here is a pic of our stone sculpture cat. My sister has named him Pierre. They ask that proof of all income, copy of picture ID, some ask for birth certificate copy and copies of 6 months of bank statement(s) or SS Direct Deposit Card account be attached to the application.

Some are not doing the 6 mos bank statements anymore. Instead, they have you sign a form that they send to your bank to get info on deposits and interest and whatever else they need. They mainly want to check that you are not getting more regularly deposited funds than you revealed. I have never had anyone ask about little deposits (for various reasons) that I’ve gotten here and there.

If you are on some waitlists for more than a certain # of months, you will have to submit new bank statements when they let you know that your name has come up. Your credit check will also be redone.
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@Kaila @Jules @CaliS @PeppermintPatty @Coco @squatting dog @JustBonee @Pinky @katlupe @IrishEyes @Jazzy1 @Pepper @CinnamonSugar @hollydolly @astralcat @CallMeKate @Medusa @MACKTEXAS

 

[Jazzy1]

I notice there is a yellow berm/step up from the driveway to the sidewalk. How do people in wheelchairs enter the building?

 

[OldOld]

View attachment 484900

This building was built in 1970 and has 19 floors, about 204 apartments without balconies and is a gated property. It is for tenants 62+ aged and 18+ disabled. Floorplans are studios, 1-br and a few 2-br (for live-in caregivers). The pink circle in the first pic is my unit. These apartments are entirely independent living, with no licensed supportive or nursing services. An on-staff service coordinator assists residents who may need help with making arrangements for services.

There is an administrator, a certified occupancy specialist (leasing), service coordinator, administrative assistant, 5 24/7 front desk staff, a chaplain, maintenance director, 2 maintenance employees and 2 custodians.

View attachment 484903

The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) makes tenant assistant payments to the property in the form of Section 8 certificates. These particular certificates are property/project/building-based and remain with the apartments when tenants move out. Programs associated with this type of housing are Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly and Section 504 which prohibits discrimination based on disability.

Rent is 1/3 of income but with government-mandated allowances, the actual rental amount comes out to less than 1/3. For a single person, your income can't be over about $31,000 yearly. Electric and water are included. Tenants have to pay for their own phone and cable but there is free WIFI in common areas. Deposit is 1 month's rent and is repaid with interest when the tenant moves out. The deposit and 1st month's rent has to be paid by separate checks. An online rent payments portal is offered here, which I gladly use. Move in has to be within 30 days and between 9-5p. Initial rent term is 1 yr and month-to-month after that with a 30-day notice to move out.

If I had chosen to wait for another apartment to become available, I don't know if I would have moved down one space on the waitlist or bumped to the end. It varies by property. There is a resident's council that elects officers and holds meetings. It also schedules events for all tenants but no tenants are required to join the council.

View attachment 484904

The apartments are managed by Westminster Communities of FL and there are some nice amenities here that I will share in other posts. I will share the nice outside sitting areas in the spring. These apartments are not the property of a local housing authority, where waitlists can be years long and properties sometimes in disrepair. I applied in April and was called in October of the same year.

I didn't read though the whole thread, but this apartment is ideal for seniors who have less than $310k annual income, and it is a government subsidized housing, similar to many other government subsidized senior housing in many U.S. states, the good ones (like this one) always have very long waiting lists. Is it upscale? No, Is it livable? Yes.

 

[officerripley]

there is no way that I could do the yard work necessary to take care of this place, the property is almost a half acre, so it is a large yard, and lots of bushes.

Same here except we're on a whole acre, sigh

 

[JustBonee]

I didn't read though the whole thread, but this apartment is ideal for seniors who have less than $310k annual income, and it is a government subsidized housing, similar to many other government subsidized senior housing in many U.S. states, the good ones (like this one) always have very long waiting lists. Is it upscale? No, Is it livable? Yes.

Accurate statement for my area also.

My Senior complex was built in 2010, and they are finding it time to do remodeling. …. newer places available, and they keep up with the new building codes.
The wait list to get in is long, maybe a year, and this is with about 300 units in 8 buildings.
We are 3 story buildings on about 10 acres. It’s gated and the security of walking around any hour of the day or night is a huge benefit - especially if you have a dog that likes long walks.

@DailyArtsyCrafter .. do you have an ocean view? … can you walk to the beach? …. Enjoy!

 

[officerripley]

The wait list to get in is long, maybe a year

I talked to the mgr of a subsidized senior complex a few months ago and asked if it was true that the average wait time here was about 5 years and she said yes.

 

[JustBonee]

I talked to the mgr of a subsidized senior complex a few months ago and asked if it was true that the average wait time here was about 5 years and she said yes.

Since I have no reason to check into the timeline of getting into these apartments, I really can’t say how long it takes now.
I was lucky 8 years ago … only 3 months from applying to moving in.

 

[dusty]

Here too. I have been calling and found anywhere from 2 - 5 yrs for an apt. I just say thank you and have a nice day.

 

[officerripley]

They just built a lot of new apartments here and I'm not sure, but I think they're senior subsidized housing but they're within walking distance of nothing, not even a gas station mini market. Of course there really isn't any land left to build on near any shopping/services so it's a real problem.

 

[CaliS]

Does anyone know if they consider your 401K when deciding if you qualify for something like this?

 

[officerripley]

Does anyone know if they consider your 401K when deciding if you qualify for something like this?

I'd like to know that too.

 

[DailyArtsyCrafter]

I notice there is a yellow berm/step up from the driveway to the sidewalk. How do people in wheelchairs enter the building?

The mobility-impaired access is the long, dropped curb, mainly the blue painted area, to the left of the front doors. Some of the yellow area is dropped too.

 

[DailyArtsyCrafter]

Does anyone know if they consider your 401K when deciding if you qualify for something like this?

I'd like to know that too.

I believe it is some type of savings asset. The applications ask if you have any but having one usually won't disqualify you from obtaining HUD/Section 8/Section 202 senior housing. Distributions from a 401K are counted as income once they start. Qualification is based on total income, so you do have to declare your 401Ks. Once you move into this type of housing, your income is reevaluated every six months, or six months before your lease ends.

 

[DailyArtsyCrafter]

I didn't read though the whole thread, but this apartment is ideal for seniors who have less than $310k annual income, and it is a government subsidized housing, similar to many other government subsidized senior housing in many U.S. states, the good ones (like this one) always have very long waiting lists. Is it upscale? No, Is it livable? Yes.

Not over about $31,000. I'm sure that's what you meant to type.

Accurate statement for my area also.

My Senior complex was built in 2010, and they are finding it time to do remodeling. …. newer places available, and they keep up with the new building codes.
The wait list to get in is long, maybe a year, and this is with about 300 units in 8 buildings.
We are 3 story buildings on about 10 acres. It’s gated and the security of walking around any hour of the day or night is a huge benefit - especially if you have a dog that likes long walks.

@DailyArtsyCrafter .. do you have an ocean view? … can you walk to the beach? …. Enjoy!

Many are doing remodeling, even city housing authority-owned ones. Yours are mid-rise, not too high but a little viewing height from ground level. My kitchen and my bathroom sink and toilet actually look newer. I'm thinking there was some renovation here at one time. I'm not on the ocean but I have a huge river view and I'm 2 blocks away. Very walkable. Will be sharing more in the future.

I talked to the mgr of a subsidized senior complex a few months ago and asked if it was true that the average wait time here was about 5 years and she said yes.

Was it for city housing authority senior apartments or private-owned? Housing authorities usually have years waitlists. Private-owned, while usually short lists, can have longer lists too if there are not many of that type of housing in that area.

Since I have no reason to check into the timeline of getting into these apartments, I really can’t say how long it takes now.
I was lucky 8 years ago … only 3 months from applying to moving in.

Yes, it can be shorter than expected. My longest was 6 mos, which was this one.

Here too. I have been calling and found anywhere from 2 - 5 yrs for an apt. I just say thank you and have a nice day.

If you really want to get an income-based apartment, you should apply at any that you like, no matter what they say about the wait time. Sometimes, you can't rely on what some tell you. Some always give a stock wait time, no matter if they have units or not. Some people answering the phone or filling in don't care what they say. You never know how you might be blessed if you just put in the app. It's free. It takes just a little time and effort.

 

[DailyArtsyCrafter]

....the good ones (like this one) always have very long waiting lists.

Actually, six mos after I applied they called and offered me a studio. I said give it to the next person in line and I'd wait for a one-bedroom. Four months later they called and offered me a one-bedroom. Someone also moved in the day after I did. Another person moved in 4 days after me. I don't know how long they were on the waitlist. Just goes to show that they had several apartments available close together. This is a larger metropolitan area with several privately-owned, income-based senior housing complexes. Wait lists are not as long.

 

[DailyArtsyCrafter]

They just built a lot of new apartments here and I'm not sure, but I think they're senior subsidized housing but they're within walking distance of nothing, not even a gas station mini market. Of course there really isn't any land left to build on near any shopping/services so it's a real problem.

When I lived in Virginia, I learned of one newly built in the country, rural. They were encouraging people to apply. Was not near anything, not even city bus. People who can't drive anymore or don't want to wouldn't be interested. I choose to have long gaps between when I own a car. I'm happier without one. I'm glad to be living in a place where I can get around easily and where there are many resources. I don't have to rush and buy a car, if I ever decide to again.

 

[OldOld]

Actually, six mos after I applied they called and offered me a studio. I said give it to the next person in line and I'd wait for a one-bedroom. Four months later they called and offered me a one-bedroom. Someone also moved in the day after I did. Another person moved in 4 days after me. I don't know how long they were on the waitlist. Just goes to show that they had several available close together. This is a larger metropolitan area with several privately-owned, income-based senior housing complexes. Wait lists are not as long.

Where is it? Maybe I can be your neighbor...

 

[officerripley]

Was it for city housing authority senior apartments or private-owned? Housing authorities usually have years waitlists. Private-owned, while usually short lists, can have longer lists too if there are not many of that type of housing in that area.

Here's the info about the place: "...not a conventional public housing project; it does, however, utilize some public funds. It is the result of a joint venture between the County Housing Authority, the City, and other investors. It is controlled by a 7-member board of Directors under a non-profit organization." So I guess that makes it not private-owned even tho it says "other investors"?

 

[katlupe]

I was able to move in my apartment within 3 weeks of applying. That was because I was considered a person in need. So I was not put on the waiting list. My friend downstairs said she had to wait 3 years on the wait list.