By Don Moore on Monday, 04 March 2024
Category: Massachusetts Cities

Finding Low Income Senior Apartments in Boston, MA

As the birthplace of the country’s fight for independence thanks to its namesake tea party, Boston is one of our most historic cities. But calling Boston historic is a bit of an understatement, as it is one of the oldest cities in the United States having been founded in 1630 by Puritan settlers. Today, however; the city is the cultural and financial center of the New England region and home to more than 675,000 people. 

As one of the biggest cities in the Northeast, Boston often finds itself being compared to New York City in everything from sports to housing. After all, the two share similar climates; they both have outstanding public transportation, and both are very safe for as large as they are. But one area where Boston comes out miles ahead of NYC is in its cost of living. While Boston’s cost of living is still 48% higher than the national average, it comes in much lower than New York City’s cost of living, which at 129% higher than the national average makes it the most expensive city in the U.S.

Boston also scores higher on the quality of life index over NYC. This score takes into account everything from crime statistics, healthcare quality, and climate to cost of living, property prices relative to income, and the amount of traffic and pollution. Boston scored 175.95 on this scale, which is considered very high, whereas New York City scored 138.9, which is considered moderate.

Although it can be cold and snowy in the winter, Boston’s climate is actually perfect for those who can appreciate all the splendor offered by each of the four seasons. And it offers plenty of ways to make the most out of its diverse weather, such as walking around the city’s Public Garden or its famous Boston Common, taking in a game at Fenway Park, or visiting the Arnold Arboretum at Harvard University. Boston is also chock-full of attractions that older adults just love, including the Museum of Fine Arts, the New England Aquarium, the Isabella Stewart Gardner Museum, the Freedom Trail, and so many others. Boston also plays host to a rich selection of annual events and festivals throughout the year.

Boston is also considered an age-friendly city. With a walkability rating of 99 and an outstanding public transportation system, getting around the city is easy for seniors. Boston is also renowned for its world-class medical facilities and research institutions, as well as higher learning institutions, which make it an excellent place for seniors to call home.

Another factor that makes Boston a great place to live for older adults is that Massachusetts offers distinct tax advantages to seniors. For seniors aged 65 or older, they may be eligible to claim a refundable credit on their personal state income tax returns, which is known as the Senior Circuit Breaker tax credit. This tax credit is based on the actual real estate taxes paid on the Massachusetts residential property the senior owns or rents and occupies as their principal residence.

Being such a large, modern city, Boston also has a very good selection of low-cost apartment communities for seniors and a number of low-income programs to choose from. In this guide, you will learn more about the different low-income senior housing options available in Boston, as well as eligibility requirements, and more. The topics covered include:

Low Income Housing Options for Seniors in Boston, MA

In Boston, seniors make up 12.3% of the population. And poverty is quite prevalent among the elderly in the city, with 24% of seniors aged from 65 to 74 years living below the poverty level.

With so many seniors living in the low- to very-low-income brackets, having access to safe and affordable housing options is crucial for ensuring the city’s seniors can maintain a good quality of life. But while there is no shortage of low-income apartment communities in the Boston area, it can still be challenging to find available housing for low-income seniors, especially if you don’t know where to start. The following will give you a brief overview of the different low-income housing programs available to seniors in Boston and how to find available apartments in the neighborhoods you’re interested in.

About the Low Income Senior Housing Programs in Boston

Low-income housing for seniors in Boston comes in a variety of different types, from public housing to apartments designed specifically for seniors. In all cases, however, the process starts by applying for one or more of the available housing programs. In fact, it is usually recommended to apply for more than one since these programs can be in such high demand and apartment availability can be limited.

Public Housing in Boston, MA

Some low- to very low-income seniors in Boston may be eligible for public housing with options available from both the state and federal levels. With state-offered public housing, a senior’s rent is set at 30% of their adjusted income. With federally offered public housing, the rent is set at 30% of the senior’s adjusted income or 10% of their total income, whichever is higher. Both state and federal public housing have certain exclusions and deductions that are used to determine the adjusted income, and the deductions are not always the same for all programs.

Those who live in public housing will need to undergo an annual rent recertification review to determine if they still meet the program’s requirements. The recertification process begins about three to four months prior to the anniversary of when the senior first moved into Boston Housing Authority (BHA) public housing.

HUD Housing Choice Voucher Program

Formerly known as Section 8, HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher Program helps make it easier for low-income seniors to afford safe, high-quality housing by providing them with rental assistance payments made direct to their landlords or apartment management. To qualify for the voucher program, applicants must meet certain HUD’s basic eligibility requirements, including:

If there will be others living in the apartment with the senior applicant, then every individual in the household will need to meet these requirements and the combined income for all members will be used when determining eligibility. Income limits are based on household size and a percentage of the annual average income for the Boston area. These limits are set annually and are subject to change.

Since this program is so popular among low-income seniors, housing vouchers are continually in high demand. As a result, all applicants are automatically placed on a waiting list. Eligibility is only determined once an applicant is chosen from the waiting list. This begins the application process to being approved for the voucher program.

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program is another low-income housing program offered by HUD, but unlike the voucher program, Section 202 is designed specifically for seniors over the age of 62 that meet either HUD’s low-income or very low-income standards. This program provides capital advances to “finance the construction, rehabilitation, or acquisition with or without rehabilitation of structures that will serve as supportive housing for very low-income elderly persons, including the frail elderly.” The program also provides rent subsidies for the projects to help make them more affordable to seniors in need.

Part of what sets the Section 202 program apart from other senior-friendly housing programs is that it provides low- to very low-income elderly individuals with housing that allows them to live independently while also having access to certain beneficial support services such as cleaning, cooking, transportation, and more. To apply for a Section 202 apartment, seniors must submit an application in response to a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) posted on Grants.gov.

Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHTC)

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit program is designed to encourage developers and builders to construct, rehabilitate, and/or operate multi-unit dwellings that are specifically designated for low-income tenants, including the elderly. Apartment communities that fall under this program can be identified because they use certain words and terms in their marketing, such as the word “affordable” or the terms “Income Limit Restrictions Apply" and/or "Variable Pricing Structure.”

Unlike HUD’s voucher program, the communities that are part of the LIHTC program tend to have their own income eligibility requirements and in many cases, they can have even stricter qualification requirements. As a result, it's always important to ask what the eligibility requirements are for the community you are interested in before you apply to help increase your chances of being approved.

Because LIHTC apartments are designated for low-income individuals and families, they tend to be in high demand and this can cause there to be long waiting lists for entry. Many communities can even be closed to new applications periodically simply because the agencies can’t keep up with the demand.

Frequently Asked Questions About Qualifying For Affordable Housing Programs

Low-income senior apartments don’t last long when they become available, so it is not uncommon for an applicant to be kept on a waiting list while they wait their turn for a unit to be made available. Some applicants may even be outright denied eligibility for one of several reasons. If you are applying for a low-cost senior housing program in Boston, then you probably have questions. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about qualifying and being approved.

Q1. What are the eligibility requirements for low-income senior housing in Boston?

Seniors applying for low-income senior housing in the Boston area must be at least 62 years old and have a gross annual income that does not exceed HUD’s local income limits. Seniors will also need to meet any other program-specific requirements as well as the terms of the lease for the apartment they are applying for.

Q2. Can I be denied a low-income senior apartment?

Yes. The important thing to note is that every program has different eligibility requirements, so you should find out what the requirements are for the program you’re interested in before you apply to help reduce your risk of a denial. However, even if you meet the basic eligibility requirements, you can still be denied for a range of different reasons, including having an income that exceeds the income limit imposed by the housing program being applied for, having a low credit score, a poor rental history, a criminal record, and/or the need for ongoing medical care or daily assistance that’s not provided by the apartment community.

Q3. Can I appeal if my application is denied?

Yes. If your application for a low-income housing program is denied, then you will receive a written notice from the program that includes the reason for denial. In that letter, there will also be instructions for filing an appeal.

Q4. Is there a way to improve my chances of being approved for a low-income senior apartment?

Honesty is always the best policy. When applying for a low-income apartment, the most important thing you can do is to include current and accurate information on your application. If you submit an incomplete application or one with false information, then your application will be denied. To improve your odds of approval, you should also be present at all requested interviews and follow up whenever needed as missing even just one can result in a denial.

Additional Assistance Available for Low-Income Seniors in Boston, MA

Boston is a city that strives to ensure that its senior population is well cared for. As a result, the Massachusetts Agency on Aging offers a variety of programs designed to help improve the quality of life for the city’s low-income elderly. From Meals on Wheels and SNAP benefits to free cooking classes for seniors, help is available to ensure that all seniors have access to healthy, affordable food.

Help with utility bills is also available for low-income seniors through the state’s LIHEAP low-income emergency bill assistance program. There are many other resources offered, including tax help, legal services, free prescription programs, and more. To learn more, dial the Aging Helpline at 1-800-243-4636.

How to Find Low-Income Housing for Seniors in Boston, MA

As the country’s population ages, the need for affordable housing for seniors is only going to grow, and that’s especially the case in a city like Boston where nearly 13% of the population is aged 65 or older. But with so many seniors in need of affordable housing, it can be challenging to find apartments that are designed to cater specifically to low-income seniors.

That’s where Senioridy can prove to be a highly valuable resource. Our free online search directory makes it much easier to locate affordable senior apartments in your choice of Boston’s many neighborhoods.

Once you find an apartment that you are interested in, the appropriate contact details will be included within the search results and you can easily apply for residency directly through the community. The unit's managing authority will conduct an interview and screening to determine if you qualify for low-income senior housing. If you meet all the eligibility requirements for low-income senior living, then an apartment will be allocated for you and you can take your next step toward obtaining a safe and well-maintained living space in Boston, MA.