“As we look at housing in general across the country, programs like 202 and 811 are going to be more and more important as our society continues to age and people want to age in place. And, the fact that our homeless population is growing and a large portion of that is senior citizens and persons with disabilities,” HUD Secretary Marcia Fudge said when she testified before the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Transportation, Housing and Urban Development on May 11.

“That’s why we’re asking for increases for 202 and 811 [for fiscal year 2023]. For many, too many, years we’ve not done the kind of work in those particular areas that we should have,” Secretary Fudge continued.

Subcommittee Chair David Price (D-NC) said that the nation has got to HUD’s Section 202 Supportive Hosing for the Elderly program “back in business” and get back to the “muscle memory” of “how to go after these funds and how to put these deals together.” Chair Price asked Secretary Fudge for an accounting of notices for new Section 202 award availability, application levels for these funds, and grants awarded. “What happens after we appropriate the funds?”, Chair Price asked. Secretary Fudge said she would get this information to the Chair.

The hearing focused on a wide variety of HUD programs, but the exchange between Chair Price and Secretary Fudge provided insight into the Subcommittee and HUD’s appreciation of the need to expand the supply of affordable senior housing to meet the existing and growing need.

A webcast of the May 11 hearing is here.