Who Qualifies For Section 202 Elderly Housing Program?

Last Updated on October 31, 2023 by Lori Pace

Section 202 Housing, a program that increased the supply of affordable housing and supportive services for the elderly. The federal government provided capital advances and direct loans to help non-profit organizations build affordable housing for the very poor elderly. 

Section 202 senior housing provided options for seniors aged 62 and older that allowed them to live independently and offered support services such as cooking, cleaning, and transportation. Affordable senior housing developments built using Section 202 funds have continued to provide housing and other services, even though no new funding exists for Section 202 capital advances.

Section 202 Housing Requirements

To qualify for the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program, you must have at least one adult living with you at 62 or older. HUD also accepts single people, even without children. 

Citizenship is not a requirement for Section 202, however, if the apartment is subject to other housing program requirements, the topic of citizenship may arise.

Income Eligibility

Less than 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) in the area of where the application is going to happen should be their household. However, it can also be less than 30% of AMI for other properties that were built after 2012. 

The income of the household is the figure of each member of the household, including children. However, the employment income of the household members that are 17 years or younger are not included. The household income is the net income, which is the household’s salary with taxes and other expenses already subtracted.

Housing Offices

They have the ability to set their own income limits. That’s why it’s important to check the income qualifications first with the office you’ll apply to. Their website can also display their income limits and their waitlist openings, so be active on checking it.

Preferences

There are many waiting lists that have preferences. Waiting list preferences allow applicants to receive assistance prior to those who are not eligible. It is more common for applicants who are not eligible to be on the waiting list to receive assistance. Some preferences that might appear on a waiting list include elderly people, disabled persons, and local residents. You can find more information on preferences here. Preferences are not required. Even if applicants are not eligible for preferences, they can still apply.

Common Disqualifiers for Section 202 Housing

Rental History

There is a list of possible landlords that you should provide. This includes the address and the landlord’s contact information. Section 811 property manager will contact the previous landlords.  

Having a bad track record of being a tenant would risk your chances of passing as a tenant of the house or apartment you want. That’s why it’s important that you keep a good relationship with your previous landlords.

Criminal Record

It would be difficult to get housing with a criminal record. Those with an arrest record without conviction would have greater chances of getting housing than those with conviction. 

Those with violence or drug related sentences would have harder chances of getting housing. Then, those with a history of drug use, alcohol abuse, or any other criminal activity that can threaten other residents are also people with lower chances of getting housing.

However, don’t lose hope since not all housing authorities operate the same way. Some may allow people with criminal records. But those who are sex offenders are automatically ineligible. People who were evicted from their old assisted housing because of drug related criminal activity would be ineligible unless there are special circumstances met. 

False Information

Putting false information in your application would disqualify and get you in legal trouble. This is why you should contact the housing office when you don’t know what you should write.

Restriction

There may be a requirement for the participants to join local assistance programs.