Housing

Reverse mortgages offer older homeowners a way to tap home equity to meet financial needs in retirement. However, the collapse of the mortgage market in 2008–2009 has led to major changes that impact consumer choices. While consumers have more product choices, reverse mortgages are generally more expensive and more complicated. Learn more about how this has affected aging consumers and what Congress and regulatory agencies are doing to protect consumers here.

In July 2010, the Kaiser Commission on Medicaid and the Uninsured surveyed states about the current status of their Money Follows the Person (MFP) program including trends in enrollment, services and per capita spending. Explore the report for information on the findings regarding information on transitions back to the community, the average monthly cost of transitioning a MFP participant to the community, obstacles to transition, and more.

How does North Dakota ensure that all individuals have access to a decent, safe, affordable, and accessible place to live? Navigate the attachments to learn more about their Housing Alliance program, a statewide organization of individuals and housing and client service professionals, working to identify and address unmet housing needs in the state. Attached is their website and other outreach materials.

As of September 2010, Benefits Enrollment Centers have submitted over 125,000 applications for a variety of public benefits including the Medicare Part D Extra Help/Low-Income Subsidy (LIS), the Medicare Savings Programs, Medicaid, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP - formerly known as Food Stamps), the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program, among others. To learn more about these efforts, outcomes, and lessons learned please see the attached report.

AoA's website now provides easy access to key resources for Aging Network providers working with HECM borrowers. As of 2011, HECM mortgagees who are delinquent in property cost payments will receive a letter from their lender regarding payment of these costs. Many of these older mortgagees can turn to the Aging Network for assistance. Resources available on the web page include background information, summary information, and an FAQ that may be used with consumers.

America's rural communities contain the nation's highest concentrations of older people. Learn about the results of a 13-year, $13-million national program created in 1992 by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and NCB Capital Impact to develop affordable assisted living models, with a focus on smaller and rural communities and low-income seniors. Learn about the strategy, program design, implementation, results and lessons learned.

States play among the most critical roles in responding to and ameliorating disability unemployment. Find examples of state policy related to disabilities, a selection of state programs and initiatives, descriptions of select federal policy, and primary source documents. Topics covered include housing, employment, community integration, long-term care, health, disability awareness and benefits counseling.

Find out about a pilot program at four affordable housing properties for older adults in Washington, DC. With input from service coordinators, residents, and family caregivers, a two-part workshop was designed to increase caregiver capacity while strengthening the coordination between caregivers and service staff. Caregivers who participated in the workshops reported feeling more confident in their roles as well as more knowledgeable of resources.

This is the fourth in a series of briefs that focus on affordable housing strategies and state and local partnerships that increase housing opportunities for workers with disabilities. Asset-building strategies that can support affordable rental and homeownership occupancy are discussed, as well as shared equity strategies such as cooperative housing and community land trusts. Also find a link to the entire brief series.

What are the housing challenges facing older adults? Find out in this report that also explores strategies to better enable older adults to age in place or in their community. It discusses accessible, safe, and affordable housing, access to social services and transportation, and housing models that help to allow aging in place. Also included is a link to an online toolkit, and a series of fact sheets on housing for seniors.