Finding Affordable Senior Housing in Los Angeles, California

Los Angeles, L.A., or the “City of Angels,” has always been termed as a haven for youth. It is a city where thousands of ambitious individuals relocate to pursue their career dreams in almost every profession. Plus, Los Angeles, CA, is the second-largest city in the U.S and offers a pool of opportunities, ethnic diversity, and entertainment.

But this doesn’t mean the city is restricted to the young only. The place has a lot of love for senior citizens, as it offers a multitude of age-friendly activities, perfect weather, and cultural venues. In fact, the elderly can ensure a comfortable and engaging lifestyle, thanks to various organized programs for seniors.

However, all this comes with a prime downside: A very high cost of living!

Thankfully, there is a fix to the problem with low cost senior housing communities. Various Los Angeles, California subsidized senior housing programs provide low-income residents with affordable rental units.

In this guide, let’s explore the topic further and learn how you can search for affordable senior apartments in L.A. and stretch your income further.

1. How Expensive Is L.A.?
2. Budget-Friendly Tips For Seniors In Los Angeles
3. How To Find Affordable Senior Apartments In Los Angeles, CA?
4. Public Housing By HACLA 
5. L.A California Section 202 Senior Housing
6. HACLA Section 8 Housing Voucher Program
7. Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program for Los Angeles, California
8. Stand By For The Application Process To Commence
9. How to Find Los Angeles Low Income Senior Living Apartments

How Expensive Is L.A.?

Los Angeles, CA, is not a cheap city to reside in!  According to Payscale:

• The cost of living is 49% higher than the national average.
• Utilities are 7% higher than the rest of the country.
• Groceries are 13% more expensive than in other states.
• Transportation is 27% more than the U.S. average.

Above all, housing expenses are a whopping 127% higher than the national average. And while rents depend on your chosen neighborhood, you can expect to pay more than $2,700 for a one-bedroom unit. 

Budget-Friendly Tips For Seniors In Los Angeles

Fortunately, there are many ways to save on expenses when living in Los Angeles, California. Here are some tips for senior citizens:

• Take the Los Angeles Metro, which offers discounted fares for senior citizens.
• Benefit from the no-tax policy on Social Security income.
• Explore the different cuisines at A. food trucks.
• Take part in the CalFresh Program for discounts on groceries.
• Join various activities organized by the A. Senior Citizen Centers.
• Visit Griffith Park for different historical, cultural, and art activities.
• Go to the different museums offering admission for free in Los Angeles.

How To Find Affordable Senior Apartments In Los Angeles, CA?

As mentioned above, low income senior apartments in L.A. are the perfect solution for residents relying on a mediocre and fixed income. With these initiatives, seniors in L.A. can live in a comfortable and safe environment - without worrying about the budget. The rents for these housing units are subsidized, and in most cases, residents will have to pay only 30% of their household income towards rent.

There are several government-led housing programs in L.A., and having a better knowledge of them can help you find the most suitable unit. Here are the steps you need to follow:

1.   Understand Income Criteria

Each affordable housing program in Los Angeles has varying eligibility criteria according to the applicant's age and family composition. However, each program's eligibility mainly relies on the total income of the complete household.

In L.A., the median family income is $91,100. The income is categorized according to the following criteria:

You can check your household income according to the above chart and verify if you are eligible for any of the Los Angeles low cost senior housing programs.

2.   Gather Documents

Typically, every affordable housing program in Los Angeles will ask for documents to verify the applicant's age, income, and background. The documents you will be required to submit include:

• D. cards of each member of the household.
• Birth certificates of all minor household members.
• Social Security Card.
• Bank statements.
• Proof of income.
• Prior Rental History.

The adult household members will also be asked to pass a criminal background check for eligibility. It’s a good idea to check with the low income housing program authorities in L.A. if further documents are needed.

Read our Guide on How to Qualify for Low Income Housing for more tips to avoid obstacles in the application process.

3.   Learn About Low Income Housing Programs

The federal government and non-profit organizations manage several affordable housing programs in Los Angeles, California. The notable programs include:

Public Housing By HACLA

The Public Housing program by the Housing Authority of the City of Los Angeles (HACLA) provides affordable housing units to eligible residents. They oversee 14 developments consisting of 6,300 units. These range from one-bedroom to five-bedroom townhouses. The applicants can select the number of bedrooms based on their family requirements.

To apply, you can submit an application through their online portal. The main applicant must be 18 years of age, while the household income must fall under the criteria provided above. It is also essential for at least one household member to have U.S. immigration status.

L.A California Section 202 Senior Housing

Section 202 is a housing program administered by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). Through this program, qualifying senior citizens in L.A can benefit from the rental assistance provided by the authorities. In addition, age-segregated communities can offer residents services and activities to enhance their quality of life.

There are several ways to search for a Section 202 senior housing program in Los Angeles. You can start with a Google search of “L.A. low income senior living near me” and shortlist suitable apartments. Another way to simplify your search is to use the Senioridy property listing and locate a unit of your preference.

Once you find the apartments of your choice, contact the management directly and submit your application.

Note that the L.A. Section 202 housing program is exclusive to senior citizens. Therefore, the primary applicant must be 62 or above. Family members are allowed to stay with the senior citizens, but the income of every earning family member will be counted towards the eligibility.

If there is a need, you can hire an aid or caretaker to live with a senior citizen in a Section 202 housing unit. But since they are hired, you don't have to communicate their income to the authorities.

HACLA Section 8 Housing Voucher Program

The Los Angeles Section 8 Housing Voucher is financed by HUD, while management falls under the umbrella of HACLA. This program funds more than 13,400 private landlords to construct affordable units in Los Angeles, CA. The authorities analyze the units to verify if they are safe, comfortable, and clean for the tenants.

There is no age or household size limit to apply for the Section 8 Housing Voucher. However, you must be a legal citizen of the U.S. or have immigration status to qualify.

You can contact the HACLA to submit your application. A housing voucher will be issued once the application is accepted. The voucher will pay a portion of the rent for any of the participating properties in L.A.

The only drawback of the Section 8 Housing Voucher is the lack of availability. Due to the influx of demand, waiting lists for vouchers are open periodically. To check for the availability of Los Angeles, California low income apartments, senior citizens, and their families should check the HACLA website regularly.

Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program for Los Angeles, California

The Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program or the LIHTC is another housing program for the low income families in California. While the program is open for all applicants, a specific number of housing units are exclusively reserved for senior citizens.

You can visit HUD’s LIHTC property data page to locate rental units in L.A, and contact the property managers directly to submit your application.

The eligibility criteria of LIHTC is almost synonymous with other affordable housing programs. The only difference is the determination of rent. While other programs determine rent according to the applicant’s income, the LIHTC rent is based on two factors. These are:

• Number of bedrooms in the unit.
• The income bracket or the income limit assigned to the unit. This is established by the Area Median Income (AMI).

Stand By For The Application Process To Commence

After submitting your application for the L.A. low income senior housing program, the next step is to wait. The verification process often takes time due to the influx of applications. If you need emergency housing assistance, you can contact the HACLA.

Here are some tips to help you during the waiting period:

• Review your application for accuracy.
• Update your information if any change occurs.
• Respond to the authorities timely when they contact you to discuss your application.

How to Find Los Angeles Low Income Senior Living Apartments

Affordable housing units help our elderly on fixed incomes live comfortably in their golden years. If you are qualifying for low income senior apartments in L.A., feel free to use the property search engine by Senioridy. The easy-to-use tool helps senior citizens and their loved ones locate various affordable housing units easily.

We remove the hassle of guesswork by listing only the available properties in Los Angeles Once you find the apartments that look suitable, you can contact their management directly from the website. Senioridy offers several features, such as a photo gallery, comparison tool, and share option to help you find suitable housing units in Los Angeles.