Many people who live in senior subsidized housing are not given the information about how much income is needed to qualify for it. The following resources have helped many seniors gain a better understanding of this process and what they will need to do if they want to save money on their rent.
The goal of this article is too help seniors know their affordable housing shelter eligibility, that way we can provide them with more accurate information. This article will go through the different income limits that apply depending on where you live in relation to your local housing authority and how much of your income falls below these thresholds so you don’t miss out on possible savings.
The affordable senior housing program is a federal entitlement for eligible persons with income below certain levels. Eligibility for the program requires one to meet the following criteria:
The applicant must be age 65 or older
Must not have received Medicaid federal matching funds (a matching grant from the Department of Housing and Urban Development) in any 36-month period preceding the application
Must live in a HUD-approved senior housing facility or an apartment owned or managed by an agency that is authorized to provide senior housing under 24 CFR part 5.
Income limits are based on gross income of the applicant, including Social Security benefits and assets, as modified by HUD standards. The applicable income standard is the one applicable to the tenant’s county of residence at time of application. A single person must have an annual gross income not exceeding 80 percent of the median family income, while a married couple must have an annual gross income not exceeding 50 percent of the median family income in their respective counties of residence at time of application.
It is the responsibility of the applicant to provide correct, accurate and current information on income, assets and needs.
For an individual with a spouse or dependent child residing in the same household, an annual income not exceeding 80% of the median family income (median family incomes are defined by HUD’s Office of Community Planning and Development) is allowed. For example, if one’s spouse or dependent child lives in New York City, an individual may have only $14,000 of gross annual income. If one lives in San Francisco and has no other dependents. The gross annual income requirement is $29,400.