How Will HUD Changes Impact Seniors in the U.S.?

In America, the number of older adults is on the rise, with about 55.8 million people, or one out of six, being 65 or older as of 2020.

A recent study from the Urban Institute has shone a light on how budget cuts to the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) might affect these older populations.

As the American population ages, there has been a struggle to meet the housing needs of seniors, especially those with limited incomes. Unfortunately, only a few older adults who need housing aid actually receive it.

With the increasing demand for assistance, the proposed cutbacks to HUD by the Trump administration could have a significant impact. The plan includes reducing HUD’s workforce by half, closing agency offices, and slashing funding for HUD's programs.

These measures could make it harder to manage housing programs effectively, although it's still unclear how these cuts will influence specific housing assistance initiatives.

The reductions may weaken the services that help older individuals remain in their homes, possibly leading to more cases of institutional care, homelessness, illness, and even death among the elderly.

There may be a need for local and state government officials to step up and play a larger role in providing necessary affordable housing that caters to the needs of older and disabled individuals.
 

More Seniors Receiving HUD Assistance Than Ever Before

HUD has been working to improve its main housing assistance programs for seniors. Through the Moving to Work program, Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) have been able to make policy changes and receive funding flexibility. This support has enabled many PHAs to launch projects specifically geared towards households with older members.

Additionally, the Rental Assistance Demonstration (RAD) initiative allows for the conversion of public housing assets into voucher properties with different ownership and management, enhancing the living conditions and financial stability of senior residents.

Some PHAs have even used RAD to introduce services tailored for seniors and to refurbish homes.

In states like Rhode Island, California, New Hampshire, and New Jersey, more than half of all households benefiting from HUD support are senior households. This number ranges between 40% and 50% in 27 other states.

Yet, finding a home is just one part of the challenge. In HUD-assisted living situations, nearly half (48%) of elderly households include someone with a disability. These households get support from HUD’s Service Coordinator Program, which offers assistance to those with disabilities and to elderly individuals.

Without HUD’s funding for these support services, more discharged hospital patients might end up without necessary care or food, increasing pressure on an already strained emergency response system.

The lack of community resources could lead to more older adults and people with disabilities being placed in institutional care and experiencing poorer health outcomes.
 

Older Americans and HUD Assistance

Several HUD programs serve households with older members, offering various forms of housing aid:
 

• Housing choice vouchers: Help about 800,000 senior households afford rent in the private market.
• Project-based vouchers: Provide rental assistance to approximately 650,000 senior households for specific buildings or units.
• Public housing: Offers affordable rental homes to around 650,000 senior households.
• The Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program: Aims to house about 120,000 households, or 6.3% of senior households receiving HUD assistance.

Read more: Understanding Rental Assistance: A Comprehensive Guide
 

Budget Cuts Impacting Low-Income Seniors Unfairly

The proposed budget and staffing reductions at HUD are part of wider cuts across services for low-income seniors, including those under the Administration for Community Living (ACL) by the US Department of Health and Human Services.

The ACL, which operates programs like Meals on Wheels and supports senior centers, is also facing significant cuts, jeopardizing these essential services.

Before these changes, many seniors and disabled individuals already struggled to access the housing and resources they needed. With the anticipated HUD cuts, there will likely be a greater need for local and state governments to find innovative solutions and take a more active role in ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to affordable and suitable housing.

-

Find out if you're eligible for housing support here!