Want to move but need help finding another Senior, low-income apartment

Denise1952

Well-known Member
I sort of wished I'd tried this earlier, but my pride is still leading me around, or, keeping me from letting people here know so much about me. I'm just not proud of my situation, and never will be. So without going into all about why I am a low-income senior, I would just like help in finding a place to move.

I now live in what they call Project 202 for Seniors over 62. I pay 1/3 of my income and that includes most utilities, usually, but not with all 202 housing I found out. I would like to find either 202 housing, or another they have called 515 Rural housing for Seniors. 55 and older is fine with me, and I've considered the Section 8, so I did apply for a voucher which I don't have yet.

The best site I have found to locate housing like the above, is here: https://affordablehousingonline.com/ It covers the U.S.

I would like to hear from folks that might have low-income housing, or know of, in their area. If anyone has info on places outside of California, I am also open to moving out of this State. My main hope is to find something that has a balcony or patio area for the tenants. And well, actually, good maintenance and landlords.

Most of the places I have found don't have reviews to read, so it's difficult to know what you are getting into.

So, with all that said, I'm just going to post this and hope that maybe someone can help me with suggestions. I do have good credit (very good according to the bank) and excellent rental references.

Forgot to mention private messages welcome
 

We've done some initial looking in our area....If/When we can no longer handle living in this rural area. We want to stay fairly close, as we are centrally located to the kids/grandkids. The best place we've found is a town called Sedalia, MO....about 25 miles away. This is a real nice town of about 20,000, with virtually any shopping, etc., a person would ever want, and a real good hospital, if needed. The prices at a couple of the Senior centers we've checked seem reasonable, and their services seem quite good.

https://www.seniorhousingnet.com/seniorliving-search/sedalia_mo
Moving to the Midwest, from California, would be like getting a nice pay raise....Unless you feel "tied" to California, almost anywhere else would probably offer you a far better value for your dollar.
 

Hi Don:) Thank you for the information, but I'm not looking for an "assisted living" complex at this point of my life. I am looking for what they call "low-income Senior apartments". They're for independent seniors, although we do have apartments for disabled seniors as well, with caregivers that come in for private care.

I hope maybe someone will be able to use your info though, thank you again ;) Denise
 
I'm not sure if you want to disclose your plans to your local housing agency but some Federal programs have a porting process where you can transfer benefits from one state to another.

This is a brief summary of how it works for section 8.

"Porting out" refers to moving out of your initial PHA's jurisdiction. To initiate the port-out process, send a written request to your Section 8 housing specialist. The specialist decides if you're eligible to move your voucher to another state and sends your paperwork to the receiving PHA. During the porting-in process, the receiving PHA schedules an intake interview. You must bring certain documents for re-verification purposes, such as proof of income. Once accepted, you must attend a briefing at the new PHA, in which you receive the new voucher and rules for finding and leasing a unit. The new voucher contains the number of bedrooms you can have and an expiration date for locating a new rental.

Good luck!
 
I'm not sure if you want to disclose your plans to your local housing agency but some Federal programs have a porting process where you can transfer benefits from one state to another.

This is a brief summary of how it works for section 8.

"Porting out" refers to moving out of your initial PHA's jurisdiction. To initiate the port-out process, send a written request to your Section 8 housing specialist. The specialist decides if you're eligible to move your voucher to another state and sends your paperwork to the receiving PHA. During the porting-in process, the receiving PHA schedules an intake interview. You must bring certain documents for re-verification purposes, such as proof of income. Once accepted, you must attend a briefing at the new PHA, in which you receive the new voucher and rules for finding and leasing a unit. The new voucher contains the number of bedrooms you can have and an expiration date for locating a new rental.

Good luck!

Yes, familiar with porting of the section 8 Bea. The only issue with that is both the Section 8 "county" here has to ok the porting first. For my area, Del Norte County, CA, is a very poor part of California. They don't have a lot of dollars compared to the Southern Counties. So it's hard for them to Ok any porting. That's not to say they wouldn't ok it. I just don't know. Oh, forgot to mention, some counties will agree to you using an outside voucher, but the county it is from has to pay the costs.

I can't remember but the "new county" has to be willing/able to absorb the cost of the Section 8.

Here in Rochester we have an organization called Lifespan a non-profit organization which helps seniors maneuver life. Including financial things and affordable housing. If you have something like that where you are, maybe they can help.

I don't think we have it here in town Marie, but it may be available to me through another larger county/city. I'll check around ;)
 
Thank you for your reply, and yes, the Senior Center is actually on the same property as the apartment bldg I live in now. They aren't familiar with much I'm sorry to say. Nothing that isn't local anyway, as far as housing, or how all the different types of low-income housing works. I don't want to say too much to anyone in this area since I would rather my desire to move elsewhere not get out. This is a very, small town ;)

The only thing I haven't been able to acquire, as far as information on other apartments, is personal knowledge, or reviews from someone that lives there/wherever. I've even been on City Data to find out what it's like (such as climate) in other areas of the U.S.

I think that I will just have to take my chances and find some place that "sounds" good from it's ads online, and just go for it. Of course there are the waiting lists that you first need to get on (and some lists aren't even open). Once you're on a list for Project 202, then you have to wait, as long as it takes for apartments to be open for a new tenant. Then if they pick you, you move.

There might still be some folks around here that knew me when I got this place (4 years ago, Jan. 7th), I was so ecstatic! It's still an awesome place for the right person. It's been a real blessing for me, but I am ready to move on if possible ;)
 
Thanks @hollydolly ;) I was desperate, well, slight exaggeration, back then. Now I can really choose, take my time to find more the type of area I want to live in. And maybe as time goes by, I may just feel more roots here.

I NEVER thought I'd be living in California if you'd asked me if I would 6 or 7 years ago, but here I am. I am checking out some nice areas (things to do and more population) much further South. I found a good link/site to explain the different "types" of Senior Low-income housing to some folks that may be able to use it. I just don't let up when it comes to utilizing the internet ;)

I think that "gypsy" in my soul is still alive and well. I've always loved going new places, and meeting new people. My dad was like that too, I must have inherited it from him. I didn't know much about him but he spent a lot of time with his other family which I am so glad for him. They were all very close, holidays etc. I think I'd have been glad settling up near them. The one I was closest too, a nephew, died recently and crushed my heart. Now I don't want to go up to visit because I didn't get my ass up there while he was still living :(

I wonder sometimes why I've always felt I was in the way when with the family I grew up with. Another thread I guess, sorry everyone, to ramble.
https://www.after55.com/blog/how-find-low-income-senior-housing/
 
All my best to you @Denise1952, and I sure hope you find what you are looking for ... I know you like the West Coast, and really doubt that any place else would make you happy. So I think that you need to work from that to find an ideal location.:)
As long as you have the time to decide, get all the information needed to make the right choice.
 
Denise, have a friend that lives in a lower income senior complex in Long Beach. If you'd like to get together with her, please just send me your email address and I'll forward it to her. She's very familiar with the low income options in that area, and had moved from one complex to the one she's in a few years ago to be closer to her grandson. Hope it works out for you.
 
Oh Liberty, I would love to talk to her. I am looking way South right now. Sounds like she might be a great contact ;)

I did just find a great PDF file that lists the housing by which low-income "section types" they take. I'd love to stay with 202 so I'm shooting for that first ;) I'll write you a pm with my email, ty much!!
 
its hard to find a place you can afford when your a senior- they want to take your whole ss check--the places you can afford are in a high crime area--i have tried the section 8 for seniors and you are on a wating list--i have been living with my daughter and her family for almost 8 years
 
its hard to find a place you can afford when your a senior- they want to take your whole ss check--the places you can afford are in a high crime area--i have tried the section 8 for seniors and you are on a wating list--i have been living with my daughter and her family for almost 8 years
Hi twinkles not all of these apartments that I look at and I'm living in now the section 202 apartments they are not all in high-risk areas at all and many of them are gated and very secure buildings it does depend on where you're looking though I do understand that if you can open that link I sent in my last message I think it was or send me a private message and I can help you look in your area if you want to do that and a lot of the waiting list say you have to wait 3 years or 5 years even but I got in in 3 months so there's always that chance the more waiting list you can get on the better and I don't really recommend section 8 but I would do it if I had to.

I was on my phone writing the previous text, and I wanted to clarify what I said a little bit. The reason I would not choose Section 8 unless I really needed housing is because most if not all Section 8 are not "secure" building like most of the Senior Housing. I could be wrong about other cities, but ours are not built that way. For example, my building has a pass-key through a main entrance. There are side entrances, but you can't get in without the key or code. Plus, it's quiet here at night, no children running about and no parties.

I'm sure I am now sounding like I'm contradicting myself when I say I like the quiet but I am looking for a larger population of Seniors, with more to do, people to meet :)
 
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What about Denver Colorado? They have 347 days of sunshine there...but I don't know anything about senior apartments there. What about renting a room out of someone's home? Or in exchange for a private room while managing an airbnb.

I'm sorry about your nephew. Don't let anything like that hold you back from visiting your father though. They're going to understand why you have felt estranged from them. It's very understandable...not your fault at all Denise.
 
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thank you denise i read about the housing you sent and the ones here in georgia are all far away--i dont know how much longer i will be driving and my daughter and g-kids are here.i know they couldnt make such a long trip so i guess i will have to keep looking
 
thank you denise i read about the housing you sent and the ones here in georgia are all far away--i dont know how much longer i will be driving and my daughter and g-kids are here.i know they couldnt make such a long trip so i guess i will have to keep looking
Okay sweet lady, if I find more information that would cover Georgia as well I will be sure and post it on this thread or maybe just send you a p.m. I'm glad you have your daughter to live with. I don't have any close family but what I do have this lovely apartment that I've been living in almost four years so I'm fine if I don't find something, for now and so are you đź’ž
 
Okay sweet lady, if I find more information that would cover Georgia as well I will be sure and post it on this thread or maybe just send you a p.m. I'm glad you have your daughter to live with. I don't have any close family but what I do have this lovely apartment that I've been living in almost four years so I'm fine if I don't find something, for now and so are you đź’ž
Forgot to ask you Denise...why are you wanting to move now?
 
It's just that I would so enjoy meeting more people, and just a little bit better weather too. The population is so low here in Crescent City, and so fewer Seniors as well. I haven't met up with one, single gal to even take walks with. I wouldn't mind meeting a fella but haven't met anyone of that gender either. But a gal-friend that was into being active would be so great. I am lonely doing all my stuff by myself. I figured eventually I would meet others my age, or close, that are active as well, but I haven't.

If I end up staying here there's always a chance I will, but for one example (slight change of subject here :giggle: ) In Santa Rosa CA they have a dance hall. Not a bar, but a place where they have different music, and them dances on a regular basis. They also have bus-tours, and better airports, and amtrak nearby if I want to go somewhere my old truck might not make it ;) I feel I'm missing out being stuck so far from everything.

Like I kind of covered just a little, I felt this was a real blessing as I was living in a terrible place with nowhere else I could stay when I was called about an apartment here. So I am forever grateful, and for the right people, this place is perfect for long-term, wonderful people run it, and I've never felt safer ;)
 
Some of you were asking why I wanted to move, and I forgot about one of the main reasons. We don't have enough healthcare providers in this area, that take Medicare/Medicaid patients. I had to go to San Francisco's Dental University to have just a checkup and cleaning. Luckily, all the rest are in good shape but who knows in the future. 350 or so miles one way. So after that trip that was so hard on even me (pretty healthy, in good shape for my age, 67 in Dec.). I don't know how someone that is actually ill could handle that but many are having to do the same thing.

I know bigger populations doesn't guarantee good healthcare these days, but I feel I'd at least stand a much, better chance. I think Sonoma is a lovely area, and have had my sights set on that area for some time. Just nothing coming open for me in the 202 type housing, and they are short on housing for seniors, and all ages down there.

I'm very lucky to have this place I live now, and if I have to stay, maybe for the rest of my days, it won't be the end of the world for me. This "finding" another home is just something I would "like" to come about ;)
 
Sept 2019 Activities

Federally-funded program to assist low-income individuals & families with energy costs.
Nutrition
Hot, nutritionally balanced meals served onsite or home-delivered Monday through Friday
b0e03b7870fb4d35488b1999024642cc

Del Norte Senior Center Annual Picnic

When: Friday, September 27 ,2019 from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Where: Florence Keller Park, 3400 Cunningham Lane, Crescent City, CA
Who: All Del Norte Senior Center Membership

Come join us for our Annual Picnic! We will have hamburgers, Salad, watermelon and much more. Enjoy the birthday raffle while have a yummy lunch.

For directions please pick up the invitation and directions at the reception desk


http://www.delnorteseniorcenter.org/
 


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