Legislation Moves
Forward to Increase Low-Cost Housing Options for Senior Citizens
Banking
subcommittee approves bill from Sen. Kohl, Chair, Special Committee on
Aging, other Democrats
Oct. 4, 2010 A
program of Housing and Urban Development, Section 202 Supportive Housing
for the Elderly, is headed for expansion and improvement, according to
an announcement from the office of U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI),
chairman of the Special Committee on Aging.
The Senate
Banking Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community
Development last week approved Kohls legislation, S.118.
The Section 202
program provides capital grants to non-profit community organizations
for the development of supportive housing and provision of rental
assistance exclusively for low-income seniors.
Through such
housing and supportive services, the program allows low-income seniors
to remain safely in their homes, according to the news release.
Certified Aging in Place Specialists (CAPS) popping
up nationwide, states getting involved with creating necessary standards
for the industry - Oct. 5, 2009
This bill
attempts to address the affordable senior housing shortage by:
● Making it
easier for owners to refinance Section 202 developments, which may be in
need of rehabilitation;
● Providing
greater flexibility to owners to transform unmarketable studio
apartments into rentable one-bedroom units;
●
Establishing a new project-based rental assistance program for seniors
at risk of losing rental housing due to rent increases after
refinancing;
● Making it
easier for owners to make health and supportive services available to
residents through service-enriched housing; and
● Creating a
national clearinghouse of senior housing facilities to ease the search
for seniors and their families.
"Over one-third
of the Section 202 population is considered disabled enough to be at
risk for being put in a nursing home," Senator Kohl said.
"Access to these
types of services saves both seniors and the government money because
they reduce the need for costly nursing home stays. And ultimately they
allow aging Americans to stay right where they want to be - in their own
home."
If passed by the
full Senate, S.118 would promote the construction of new senior housing
facilities, as well as preserve and improve upon existing facilities.
Under current law, these processes are time-consuming and bureaucratic,
often requiring waivers and special permission from HUD.
There are over
300,000 seniors living in 6,000 Section 202 developments across the
country, with ten seniors vying for each housing unit that becomes
available. It is expected that approximately 730,000 additional senior
housing units will be needed by 2020 in order to address the housing
needs of low-income seniors. At this point the program is not expected
to meet the future demand.
This legislation
has been endorsed by the American Association of Homes and Services for
the Aging, America Association of Service Coordinators, Alliance for
Retired Americans, National Council on Aging, National Association of
Area Agencies on Aging, Elderly Housing Development and Operations
Corporation, Association of Jewish Family & Children's Agencies,
Catholic Charities, Lutheran Services in America, National Affordable
Housing Management Association, National Church Residences, National
Housing Trust, National Low Income Housing Coalition, Stewards of
Affordable Housing for the Future, United Jewish Communities, and
Volunteers of America.
Cosponsors of
S.118 included by Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY), Sherrod Brown (D-OH),
Bob Casey (D-PA), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Bill Nelson
(D-FL), Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Carl Levin (D-MI),
Bob Menendez (D-NJ), and Jeff Merkley (D-OR).
Keep up with the latest news for senior citizens, baby
boomers
Oct. 4, 2010 A
program of Housing and Urban Development, Section 202 Supportive Housing
for the Elderly, is headed for expansion and improvement, according to
an announcement from the office of U.S. Senator Herb Kohl (D-WI),
chairman of the Special Committee on Aging. 
