From Solomon, Steiner & Peck
In a recent webinar about the status of federal housing assistance for older adults in the United States, nonprofit organizations Justice in Aging and the National Low Income Housing Coalition partnered to offer attendees a brief overview of the housing pressures currently facing older Americans. The presenters outlined the federal policy threats that exist and potential opportunities for improving the situation.
Older adults are the fastest-growing group experiencing homelessness. Many of them live on fixed incomes, such as from Social Security or small pensions, so rising rents can quickly push them into housing instability.
The maximum monthly Supplemental Security Income (SSI) payment for 2025 is $967 for an individual and $1,450 for a couple. The estimated average monthly Social Security retirement payment was $1,976 as of January 2025. Meanwhile, the national average monthly rent for a one-bedroom apartment is about $1,640 per month, according to Apartments.com.
Displacement, eviction and homelessness are growing risks for older adults who lack a substantial nest egg and are relying on Social Security to meet their needs. Even small income shocks, such as medical bills or extra caregiving costs, can trigger eviction and homelessness for older renters.
“Our research shows that seniors … make up more than a third of extremely low-income renters. So, when housing is unaffordable, renters are often severely cost-burdened. That means that they spend more than half of their income on housing,” Chantelle Wilkinson of the National Low Income Housing Coalition told webinar attendees.
Another issue plaguing older adults is a scarcity of accessible and disability-appropriate rental units. Many older adults and people with disabilities need units with accessibility features and supportive services. However, the supply of such units at affordable rental rates is limited.
Current Federal Housing Assistance Programs
Federal housing assistance programs that currently serve older adults and adults with disabilities include the following:
- Housing Choice Voucher Program. Also known as Section 8, this program helps veterans, older adults, individuals with disabilities, and low-income families afford housing in the private market. Section 8 vouchers can be a crucial lifeline for older renters.*
- Project-Based Rental Assistance and Public Housing. These housing options provide reduced rents in specific buildings. The buildings may be owned by a local housing authority or privately owned but subsidized by a local authority or the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD).
- Section 202 Supportive Housing. This HUD program provides affordable housing with supportive services, such as cleaning, cooking, and transportation, to qualifying older adults.*
- Section 811 Supportive Housing for People with Disabilities. The Section 811 program helps create multifamily housing for low-income individuals with disabilities.
- Emergency Housing Vouchers (EHVs). HUD’s EHV program provides housing choice vouchers to public housing authorities and other entities to assist individuals and families who are experiencing homelessness or are at risk of homelessness.
New Threats to Housing Stability
Despite over two million older adults receiving federal rental assistance, only about one in three older adults who need federal rental assistance receive it, according to Justice in Aging. The situation, experts say, is likely to worsen in light of possible rule and policy changes. In addition, proposed budget cuts may have an effect on HUD’s rental assistance programs.
How You Can Help
To help older Americans and individuals with disabilities afford stable housing, consider contacting your senators and representatives. Tell them about how rental assistance prevents homelessness and supports older adults. Ask them to oppose deep cuts and to support renewal and expansion of rental assistance. Personal stories from constituents can be especially effective.
