Affordable housing for seniors.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

I had no idea what a shortage there was - at least here in CT - until a friend asked me to get some info for her. She can't afford the mortgage and upkeep on her house in FL much longer and is exploring her options. Of course, she can't sell the house that she bought 5 or so years ago (Daytona area) for what she owes on the mortgage so won't have a down payment to purchase a replacement.

She asked several friends/relatives to look into what is available in our respective towns for low income seniors. Everything here is wait listed and they are not taking applications. The info I got from the Senior Center website indicates that it could take 3 to 5 years for an apartment to become available once you are on the list.

[jwirr]

1. Pretty much the same everywhere. Small town I live in has the same problem. What has happened

is that those who have already lost their homes are moving into low income housing and the boomer retirees are also doing the same. We need to get HUD to give out more housing vouchers so that people can rent none-Hud housing. I live in a private apartment and the owner is on the brink of losing this house. I am poor enough for a voucher but our community never gets enough of them.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

2. It will only get worse as we baby boomers retire ( or are forced to retire)

I think we also need to encourage more affordable housing development in our areas.

[jwirr]

3. Especially in cities. We could revitalize many parts of our cities by emphasizing the need for

housing. And provide jobs. Plus we could build them in ways that help the environment as well. However, we still have all those empty houses the banksters and the government own - what are we going to do with them - I hate waste.

[jwirr]

4. Ironic. My grandson just told me he is moving out - I am going to be back to homelessness again

unless I can get one of those vouchers I was talking about. Not only that but the owners of this apartment may end up losing this house. Needless to say I am angry.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

5. I took a lot of googling, but I found several HUD qualified senior

housing facilities near where she lives in FL. Their waiting list times are only several months to a year. Rent is only 30% of Adjusted Gross Income.

[grasswire]

6. can you double up with someone

That is sometimes the only solution -- sharing space.

[jwirr]

7. I am going to try to find another roommate or get the voucher or move into senior housing if I can.

[REACTIVATED IN CT]

8. I suggested that to my friend but she was not

very enthusiastic about it . I thought that sharing space with another senior in the same predicament could help them both out. I also thought that if she found a single mother as a roomie, she could help out with child care. That could be a big help especially to someone who has to work night shifts like a nurse.

[jwirr]

9. There are many options but in this world today many of us are afraid of each other and maybe with

good reason. My grandson is a student who needed help with costs. That is another option.