Anyone else affected by the Low Income Senior Housing Crisis?

I certainly hope so. In my more than 2 month search for independent senior living, I have filled out several application forms and was getting close to being accepted in a beautiful suburb, but it was not in our specific area where our doctors and family are located. I found the amenities we needed were not always available and dogs were allowed, as well as smoking (outdoors). A regular apartment was too expensive and not 55+ residents, with a pool and workout facilities. I just could not imagine living in that kind of environment and knew we needed more privacy and quiet. We were just about ready to accept the Senior independent living apartment when we got a call from another owner I had requested information from. Everything from the rent to amenities fit our list perfectly, and arrangements were made to move in online and with Zelle at our bank. We have a one year lease and we will find out if this apartment will work for us.

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@janet7, I hope this works out for you but be careful of scams. Scammers feed off seniors (or others) desperate to find houseing and willing to to rent sight unseen and pay ahead of time via online banking.

For reference to anyone looking to rent, here is good article about how to avoid scams.

Laurie

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Yes, we applied for Senior Housing and we were told there is a year and a half wait list!

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We are north of Dallas, and the last time we moved over 11 years, there was a waiting list for one year, It has to be much worse now. They keep building new apartments for seniors here but they are starting at $2,500. Before we move, we have to make sure that we can get in! I cannot take 108 degrees here and the ranchers are starting to sell off cattle, they can afford feed (not much grass left and water for the catttle.

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Hello, Carolee - I really believe the shortage of affordable senior housing is a nationwide problem, as is affordable housing for families, working singles, etc. Where we spend summers in Minnesota, the cost of "affordable" housing is $1500 or more a month for 2 bedrooms, extra if you need a garage. The wait for low-cost senior housing is 3 or more years, and then the building may not be all seniors. My friend's sister on Omaha pays $1400/month for a one bedroom in a senior building - with increases every year.

Depending upon where you are in Texas, you may want to explore different options. We live in far South Texas in an "RV Resort", but we have a small 1 bedroom park model mobile home on a rented lot. These park models are available used, and often fully furnished, for $10,000-20,000. Depending on the park and its amenities, monthly lot rent is $250-$400 plus electric. Many have swimming pools, clubhouses, activities... Our rent is $305 paid monthly or $275 if paid by the year, water, sewer trash and basic Internet included. We pay the electric which ranges from $40-250/month depending on air conditioning and it costs us about $100/year for propane for cooking & heating. Pretty reasonable living, we think.

Some communities are 55 and over only, others welcome all ages. This is not "living in a camper" - these are 350-400 square foot homes, often with a deck, patio, shed, Texas room.

The last thing you would want to do is move to another state, only to find housing just as costly, a waiting list for affordable housing and a residency requirement of a year or more just to get on the list. Add the cost of moving, the need to change insurance, auto tags, driving license and doctors... However, if you are in a high cost metro area, it might be worth exploring nearby small towns.

Have you begun to explore moving options?
Sue

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I am moving into low-income senior housing tomorrow. I was on the wait-list for exactly four years. My name was about 5 from the top of the list when the pandemic hit hard, and then nobody moved out or passed away for two years because they were so careful and well - protected.

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