Hi Readers, The National Council on Aging [NCOA] is a nonprofit organization advocating for adults 60 and over, toward improving the lives of millions of older adults. The article below by Brandy Bauer provides a wealth of resources for older Americans struggling financially during the pandemic. I tried out the “locator tool” for affordable housing.
While you may be interested in identifying resources in your area, it is possible to search for any city in America. My former client, who lived in Carmel, California, was distressed because he could not find adequate affordable senior housing. I wish I had this tool back then!
Here is how to search outside of your geographic area: Simply disable
the “locator” and then click OK in the green box. The next page is “Welcome to
the HUD Resource Locator.” Click ALL. Then, at the top, type in the city and
state. For example, I searched the world-famous “Beverly Hills, CA” and guess
what? There are several low-income, older adult, and special needs housing in
90210. One of the highest income cities in America, San Francisco, has tons of
affordable housing, according to the interactive map. Thank you Brandy Bauer!
I hope you find this resource helpful. Stay safe by staying home! And wear your masks. AgeDoc
National Council on Aging [NCOA]
By Brandy Bauer | 11.30.2020
Where to Find Housing and Utility Assistance During COVID-19
As the COVID-19 pandemic carries on, many older Americans are finding their budgets stretched to the limit. The high cost of housing and utilities can be especially burdensome. Here are several places to find help if you’re struggling to pay your rent, mortgage, or home energy costs.
Rental Assistance
If you’re a renter facing hardship, you might want to start by writing a letter to your landlord or property manager requesting a repayment agreement. No Rent can help you draft a letter and exercise your rights to avoid eviction.
You’ll also want to look into these resources:
- Affordable housing: The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) offers a locator tool to find help with affordable housing, public housing vouchers, and resources for those facing homelessness.
- Legal assistance: Want to know what rules and rental protections apply to your area? Search for local legal information on residential renters’ issues during the pandemic at Legal Help FAQs.
- Rental protections: Learn more about protections for renters from the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB).
Mortgage Relief
The Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act of 2020 offers relief for homeowners who have mortgages backed or funded by a federal agency, Freddie Mac, or Fannie Mae.
If you’ve been financially hurt by COVID-19, you have a right to request forbearance—that’s either a suspension or reduction in payment—for 180 days, with an opportunity to extend for an additional 180 days. Your mortgage lender also cannot initiate eviction until after December 31, 2020. Learn more from the CFPB.
If you don’t have a federally backed mortgage, you may still have options:
- Talk to your loan servicer to negotiate a forbearance
- Find and talk to a low/no-cost HUD-approved housing counselor
HUD’s Federal Housing Administration has published a flyer, Save Your Home, with tips for homeowners on how to prevent foreclosure.
Help with Heating and Cooling Costs
If you’re struggling with the costs of heating your home this season, you may want to see if you qualify for the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP). The CARES Act provided nearly $1 billion in additional funding for this benefit, which assists with heating and cooling bills.
Apply through your state or local LIHEAP office or by calling the National Energy Assistance Referral Hotline at 1-866-674-6327.
Many states offer state or local fuel funds to help offset the costs of heating your home. Check with your state’s energy office to see what might be available in your area.
Finally, you can see if you qualify for housing, utility assistance, and a wide range of money-saving programs using our free, confidential screening tool BenefitsCheckUp. The site also contains information on programs that can boost your budget in other areas, such as food assistance and health care savings.
About Brandy Bauer
Brandy Bauer is Associate Director of NCOA's Center for Benefits Access, where she educates both aging network professionals and consumers about Medicare and opportunities to improve seniors’ economic outlook, including through public benefits, community service employment, financial education, and using their home equity wisely.
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