When you retire, a very important part of your retirement decision will be housing. If you plan to use Social Security only, or your pension or retirement fund is very small, the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and your local public housing agency might be able to help. But how do you find your local public housing agency or HUD office? And what services do they offer seniors? Read on to find out.
How to Find Your Local Public Housing Agency
HUD and your local public housing agency can help you find and afford low-income senior housing, but how do you find your local public housing agency?
Start with this directory of local public housing agencies. Pick your state from the list and click “Go to this page” or click on your state on the map. That will get you to a page showing the local public housing agencies by city or county. From there, you can email or call the agency. The list also indicates whether your local agency handles Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers, low-rent programs, or both.
Your local public housing agency is where you need to apply for either low-rent public housing or a Housing Choice Voucher. Only your local agency can tell you whether you qualify for such assistance.
How to Find Your Local HUD Office
For general questions about HUD or its programs, you’ll want to contact your local HUD office. Find your local HUD office here. Once on that page, click on the abbreviation of your state’s name; that will take you to information on HUD field offices in your state. Some states have only one field office; others will have multiple offices. Email or call the office nearest you.
If you’d like more information about housing assistance in your entire state, you also could start with this directory of HUD regions. Click on your state’s name. On the next page, you might want to look at information on getting rental help, contacting your local office, and talking to a housing counselor.
How to Find Housing Counseling
If you’re really unsure of where to start, you might want to contact one of those housing counselors. Find HUD-approved housing counseling agencies here. Again, pick your state from the list or map for a list of agencies. These agencies may be housing authorities, charities, or other non-profit organizations.
Counseling from these agencies is free for foreclosure-prevention counseling and homeless counseling. Other services such as rental advice could carry a fee, depending on your ability to pay. However, these agencies must inform clients of their fees in advance, and they must provide counseling without a charge if clients show they can’t afford the fee.
How to Find More HUD Resources
Finally, if you really like maps, you might want to try the HUD Resource Locator. This giant map lets you find local affordable housing, HUD offices, local public housing agencies, homeless resources, elderly and special needs housing, or all of the above.
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit properties on the map are the type of low-income senior housing you most often can find and contact on After55.com. These properties get tax credits for buying, rehabbing, or building rental housing for lower-income households. Many of these properties are targeted to seniors as 55+ apartments.
These low-income senior housing communities can still offer amenities such as in-unit washers and dryers, fully equipped kitchens, shuttle service, elevators, fitness centers, social activities, and arts and crafts rooms. But they also offer senior living at a more affordable price.
Contact low-income senior housing communities near you for more information on income guidelines, rents, and other qualifications.
