October 3, 2023 Washington, DC — Following years of aggressive advocacy to revive and secure continued support for the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD)’s Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program, LeadingAge, the association of nonprofit providers of aging services, including affordable housing for low-income older adults, today celebrates the award of grants for housing providers – including LeadingAge members.
HUD’s Office of Multifamily Housing Programs today announced $160.1 million in grants awarded to nonprofit organizations across the country to support the development of new or redeveloped affordable multifamily rental housing and ongoing project-based rental assistance for low-income seniors.
11 of the 25 recipients are LeadingAge members; in total, they received $83 million.
“HUD’s Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program, unique for its focus on older adults and a demonstrated success in ensuring positive outcomes, is a program we fought hard to revive. We’re thrilled that these funds are being distributed, and proud to support our members around the country who serve low-income older adults in affordable housing communities,” said Katie Smith Sloan, president and CEO, LeadingAge.
The $160.1 million in new funds will bring 1,262 new Section 202 homes online, and leverage funding for an additional 526 new homes.
“Particularly now, when future funding for affordable housing programs is uncertain, this is a time to celebrate,” adds Linda Couch, vice president, housing and aging services policy, LeadingAge. “At the same time, we intend to keep the pressure on. Worst case housing needs for older adults increased by more than 1 million households from 2009 to 2021, and the need is growing.”
QUOTES FROM LEADINGAGE MEMBERS:
“The HUD 202 Capital Advance and essential project rental assistance contract [PRAC] subsidy will not just prolong the life of Bowley’s Garden Villa Co-op’s physical structure, but also better enable its vulnerable and extremely low income senior population to age in place. The accompanying long-term operating subsidy will be a hugely stabilizing force for the co-op’s very-low and extremely low income elderly residents, as well as enable the property to fund onsite service coordination for the life of the project.” – Anne Sackrison, CEO, CSI Support & Development
“Christian Church Homes is very proud of HUD’s award of $8.2 million for our 201 unit Memphis project. This award, in partnership with a local Memphis church, means that CCH can build new units in an area that has too few affordable senior units, and where less than half of the very low senior population gets a rental subsidy of any kind. 200+ units in Memphis fulfills CCH’s mission of building quality affordable housing in caring communities.” – Gail Gilman, president and CEO, Christian Church Homes
“National Church Residences is honored to receive one of the 25 awards. We are also grateful for all of LeadingAge’s advocacy efforts that helped make these awards possible.” – Michelle Norris, executive vice president, External Affairs & Strategic Initiatives, National Church Residences
“We’re thrilled to be one of the 25 HUD 202 apartment communities funded this year! Cedarville, Ohio, is a town of only about 4,400 people and desperately needs affordable housing for people as they get older. In addition to our CORES Service Coordination, we plan to work with partners including the Cedarville University School of Nursing to enhance the quality of life of our residents. The apartment community will be right next door to the senior center, and next to a park and bike path. It’s an incredible location and will be a very attractive place to live.” – Tim Bete, president, St. Mary Development Corporation
“2Life is thrilled to receive this 202 award from HUD which will help to create 127 100% affordable supportive senior apartments in the Mattapan neighborhood of Boston. Together with 2Life’s signature village center, the ground floor of Brooke House will have a daycare center with intergenerational programming opportunities and a satellite space for the Harvard Street Neighborhood Health Center to provide on-site health services. This amazing federal support will be the wind beneath the wings of Life’s effort to secure the remaining funds needed so that 100% of the apartments can support low income seniors, a tremendous and growing need among older adults across the country.” – Lizbeth Heyer, vice president and acting CEO, 2Life Communities
“Presbyterian Villages of Michigan greatly appreciates this funding award from HUD in the further expansion and renovations of The Village of Westland. This significant federal investment is very complementary to what has already been provided by the State, County, City, private equity and multiple philanthropic sources. It enables our senior development to progress in a timely manner and bring much needed affordable housing to communities across western Wayne County.” – Roger Myers, president and CEO, Presbyterian Villages of Michigan
