Did you know we have a senior housing crisis in this country? Here?s the dilemma: The number of Americans over the age of 65 grows by 10,000 every day, one out of six people over the age of 65 are living below the federally established poverty line, and the waiting list for subsidized housing in our own backyard and across the country is often 12 to 24 months!
Houston, we have a problem.
Subsidized housing eligibility is determined by income level and qualifying limits are $23,150 for a single person and $26,450 for a two-person household. That?s not much to live on, yet it?s not uncommon. In fact, many seniors at this income level are just barely getting by.
The need for affordable housing is further complicated by the accompanying need for accessibility that comes with advancing age and deteriorating physical abilities.
To sum things up, we have many elders living alone in poverty with no way out except for housing programs that have very long wait times. Next week, we?ll offer some possible solutions and answers. Stay tuned!