Housing is one of the most expensive things to pay for each month. No matter what age someone is, paying for housing can be costly and challenging. For those who are seniors on Social Security it can be even more challenging, because they are on a fixed income and may struggle financially. It is important for people to know where to find affordable housing for seniors on Social Security.
Seniors who are on Social Security tend to get a fixed amount of money each month. The amount they receive in their Social Security benefit from the government tends to remain the same each month for years, unless there is a slight inflationary increase. Meanwhile, the cost of just about everything goes up around them, and housing becomes more expensive.
Those who are struggling to pay for their housing will need to find affordable housing options and solutions to help them get their rent paid. The good news is that there are programs they can turn to for help. The programs are made possible by the federal and state government, as well as by some organizations that help people in the community.
Programs Offering Housing Assistance for Seniors
Contact all the programs below that you feel are a good fit for you or the seniors in your life. There is no limit to how many programs you can contact or get information from. By contacting multiple programs you should be able to find the help that is needed. Plus, the help that is provided is not considered a loan and will not have to be paid back. It is considered a gift to help people in the community who need assistance.
Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – This is the largest provider of any type of low income housing assistance in the country. It is part of the federal government and their mission is to help people with their housing needs and in finding affordable housing options in their area. They will help people find affordable housing, as well as help them pay for their rent. They have programs that will help people avoid foreclosure, and pay for necessary home repairs. HUD also owns housing units that they will provide to those in need. Each state has a HUD office. To find and contact your state’s HUD office, click here.
Council on Aging – There are Council on Aging offices around the country. They are great resources for seniors in the area where they are located. They can be a good place to turn to when looking for senior housing options for those who are on Social Security. They should be able to provide you with information regarding low income and senior housing options in the area. To get more information, contact the Council on Aging office you area. To get more information about the National Council on Aging office, click here.
Public Housing Authority – There are Public Housing Authority offices in many cities around the country. They are a good resource for finding solutions for housing for seniors on Social Security. They may be able to help you find and pay for affordable housing in your area. Contact your local Public Housing Authority office to see what programs they have in place for seniors and how you can apply to get assistance. To see a list of offices, click here.
Senior Living Centers – There are many communities around the country that care considered senior living centers. They are often like apartment complexes or trailer parks that are for seniors only. Some of them offer special low rates for those who are on a fixed income. Conduct a search in your area to see what senior living centers are in the area. Once you have a list of them, call around to see which ones offer affordable options for those who have a limited income source. Keep in mind that many senior living centers offer more than just housing. Some also include meals, entertainment, house cleaning, etc.
211 – This is a number you can call to get information and referrals that will help with your financial situation. You can call the number and let them know you are in need of housing for seniors on social security or a fixed income. They will provide you with referrals that will help and are local to your area. The number is provided by the organization called the United Way. It is free to use this referral service and it is available to everyone in the country. To get more information about the program, click here.
United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) – This federal agency offers a rural development program. The program provides assistance to those who qualify, so that they can buy or build a home in a rural area of the country. Seniors may qualify for the program and be able to get help obtaining a home in a rural area of the country. Whether you get a grant, which doesn’t have to be paid back, or a loan, which does get paid back over time, depends on your income. To get more information about the program, click here.
Additional Resources
In addition to the above resources, it is a good idea to ask around on social media. You may find local resources that you can turn to for help that are not known outside of your area. Many areas offer programs and pull together to help seniors on fixed incomes. You may have some programs in your area that you can turn to for assistance or referral information.
Another option to consider is seniors on a fixed income living with others. Some of them live with family members so that it becomes more affordable to make ends meet. Others may take on a roommate, so that there are multiple seniors on fixed incomes sharing one house or apartment. This helps to keep the expenses down and make the cost of housing more affordable. Plus, people will not be as lonely and they will have someone in the home if there are issues and they need help.
