AAHSA And AARP Urge Congress To Expand Affordable Senior Housing
Washington - In a letter sent to all members of Congress, the American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (AAHSA) and AARP jointly called on Congress to increase funding for construction of low-income affordable senior housing apartments. This call comes at a time when there are nine people on a waiting list for each residential unit, and the President's proposed budget would cut the entire program by 30 percent and funding for new construction by nearly 25 percent.
"The Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program has provided much needed safe, decent, affordable, supportive housing for low-income seniors since 1959," AAHSA President and CEO Larry Minnix said. "According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 3.5 million seniors now live in households with incomes of less than $10,500 a year. These are the people for whom senior housing is needed, people who cannot be reached through vouchers or tax credit units alone."
"As the only federally funded housing program designed specifically for older persons, and at a time when we will continue to have a significant increase in the senior population, it is paramount that our government funds this program at the appropriate level," commented Bill Novelli, CEO, AARP. "This program answers a real need and is providing affordable and appropriate housing options that enable individuals to age in place."
AAHSA and AARP also note that senior housing provides a platform for services that reduces premature moves to a nursing home and saves taxpayers' money. Many senior housing communities also offer home health, meals, transportation and social activities that keep people healthy in a place they can call home.
Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program provides an option to people who can no longer maintain their own homes or even afford to pay escalating property taxes. Often individuals eligible for this housing option are isolated and frail and need supportive services to avoid premature nursing home placement. Senior housing is a safe and affordable platform for those supportive services.
The joint letter is part of a larger senior housing initiative that AAHSA launched around new affordable housing funding. In addition, more than 1,500 senior housing residents have written to their members of Congress explaining how they benefit from senior housing and why they think the program should be expanded.
"Time and again, senior housing residents tell us that if not for senior housing they would live in a homeless shelter or nursing home," Minnix said. "The first is not a sustainable home and the second is not an appropriate home if people can live in the community and still receive the services they need."
"I have no idea where I would be living - all by myself and a polio victim, but I get along alright in this apartment," Juanita Nunez, a senior housing resident from Delano, Calif. Wrote to her Congressman, Jim Costa (D-Calif.) "I only hope you will get more apartments going on and not let us down."
SOURCE: American Association of Homes and Services for the Aging