HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly

What this program is, in plain English

Section 202 buildings are apartments reserved for people 62 and older with low income. Your rent is 30 percent of your adjusted monthly income, and the federal government pays the rest to the owner. Many buildings also have a service coordinator on staff whose job is connecting residents to meals, transportation, and health services. You apply directly to each individual building, not to a central office, and each one keeps its own waiting list. Waits are commonly measured in years, which is exactly why you should put your name on several lists now rather than when you need it.

What you actually get

Rent capped at 30 percent of adjusted income in an age-restricted building, usually with an on-site service coordinator.

Who qualifies

• You are 62 or older.
• Income limit: Not yet verified — call to confirm
• Income limits are set as a percentage of area median income by county, not by the federal poverty level.
• Household income must generally be at or below 50% of the area median income, and many buildings prioritize extremely low income applicants.

What to have ready

• Photo identification
• Proof of age
• Proof of all income
• Bank statements
• Rental history

How to apply

This program is run by Private nonprofit owners under contract with the US Department of Housing and Urban Development. Most decisions take Waiting lists commonly run one to five years.