According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2023 population survey, nearly 17 million seniors over 65 years live with incomes 200% below the poverty line. With a low income, finding a home and paying rent can be difficult, considering one also needs to pay for food and other expenses. With that in mind, the government introduced the Section 202 housing program for seniors, which helps qualifying low-income seniors find a home for themselves and their families.
About Section 202 housing
The federal government, through the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), has launched several programs to ensure that people with very low incomes have a place to stay. One such program is the Section 202 housing program.
Also known as Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly, the program aims to provide low-cost, subsidized housing for seniors with low incomes. Eligible seniors pay only 30% of the rent, while the government bears the rest. This is a great benefit as seniors can use the money saved to buy food, pay utility bills, and bear other expenses.
Section 202 was created in 1959 to fund nonprofits that built housing units for seniors. Over the years, it has helped erect several senior-focused properties nationwide and provide rental assistance for seniors living there.
Features of Section 202 housing
In addition to covering 70% of the rent, Section 202 provides useful amenities across properties that are part of the program.
- Section 202 properties are senior-friendly, with features like ramps, grab bars, non-slip flooring, and wider hallways.
- The properties usually have common spaces to encourage social interaction among the seniors living there. These spaces allow seniors to eat together or participate in recreational activities.
- Housing developments under the program provide free transportation services to help seniors reach supermarkets and grocery stores.
- The properties are usually close to markets and parks and are accessible through public transportation.
Eligibility for Section 202 housing
To apply for a Section 202 property, one family member must be 62 or older. The household income must also be less than 50% of that location’s area median income (AMI). Background checks will be done, and applicants with poor public records or those evicted from public housing previously may not be eligible to apply. Section 202 has stringent rules for people living in the unit with the senior, so one should talk to the HUD representative or the public housing authority (PHA) to understand those restrictions.
Properties that qualify
To qualify for the program, a property must have facilities that support older adults and help with housekeeping, cooking, and transportation. Some property owners are known to employ a coordinator who helps seniors get to their appointments or assists them with shopping and mobility. In other words, Section 202 housing does not stop with just giving rental discounts to seniors but also ensures their well-being.
Ways to find Section 202 properties
Seniors can use several tips to find housing options under the program.
Visit the HUD website
An effective way to find a list of Section 202 properties is to visit the HUD-eGIS website, which details the various properties under the federal government’s subsidized housing programs. One can use the map on the site to go to their city or location and look for Section 202 properties nearby.
Visit the local PHA
Section 202 housing is overseen and funded by the HUD through the local public housing authority or PHA. One can find their address and contact details on the official HUD website. Visiting the PHA can help seniors get information about the available Section 202 properties.
Search online
Opening an internet search browser and typing “list of section 202 properties nearby” or “properties built under Section 202” can provide useful results. If the local PHA has published a list and uploaded it online, the list will be visible. Some PHAs upload details of properties within their jurisdiction.
Contact Agency on Aging
Agency on Aging is a nonprofit that helps seniors with meals, transportation, and home assistance. It also provides information services. So, one can talk to them to find out the list of Section 202 housing properties nearby.
Steps to apply for Section 202 housing
Multiple steps are involved when applying for Section 202 properties.
- Identify nearby Section 202 housing properties using one of the methods described.
- Get the contact information from the HUD website and talk to the management office about vacancies or units available.
- Apply by providing the required information and necessary documentation.
- Based on availability and the number of applications, the property owner should put the applicant on a waiting list and call them once their name comes to the top of the list.
Due to the growing demand for affordable housing, the waiting list for Section 202 properties could be high. To increase the chances of finding a property, one can submit applications for more than one Section 202 property.