Finding Low Income Senior Apartments in Portland, OR

With a cost of living that is considerably lower than Seattle, Portland allows you to enjoy all the splendor of the Northwest and a calm and relaxed lifestyle much like you would in Seattle, but at a fraction of the cost. It’s no wonder why Portland regularly ranks as one of the best places in the country to retire to. And with a large selection of senior-friendly apartment communities, it’s a city where every senior has the opportunity to secure safe and comfortable housing regardless of their income. 

Portland is a city that older adults simply adore because they can enjoy the type of lifestyle that suits them best. It’s a city that is just as accommodating to coffee and book lovers as it is to adventurers. For readers, Portland is home to the world famous Powell’s City of Books and there are so many coffee shops here that you’re always just minutes away from a delicious cup of joe. At 5,200 acres and sporting more than 80 miles of trails, the city’s Forest Park is one of the largest urban forest reserves in the country. It’s the perfect place to get away and reconnect with nature. And that’s just the tip of the iceberg for what makes Portland special. Other senior-friendly attractions include the Portland Japanese Garden, the International Rose Test Garden, Pittock Mansion, the Grotto, the Oregon Museum of Science and Industry, and the Portland Art Museum, to name just a few.

If you’re looking for an age-friendly city, then few can compare with Portland, OR. With a perfect walkability rating of 100 and an excellent public transportation system, it is very easy for seniors to move about the city even for those who don’t own a vehicle. Portland is so focused on improving the quality of life of its seniors that it is the top-rated city to retire to in Oregon, and it ranks #21 out of 132 of the best places to retire in the entire United States.

Another thing that can make Portland so attractive to seniors is that people aged 65 and over pay no taxes on their Social Security income. Plus, there’s no sales tax in Oregon. Combined, this makes the state a moderately tax-friendly place for older adults to live.

The Portland, OR region is considerably large and as you might expect, it has a very good selection of low-cost apartment communities for seniors. In this guide, you will learn more about the different low income senior housing options available in Portland and the programs that are available that can help make your rent more affordable. The topics covered include:

• Housing Options for Low Income Seniors in Portland, OR
• About the Low Income Senior Housing Programs in Portland
• HUD Housing Choice Voucher Program
• Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program
• Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHTC)
• Regional Long-term Rent Assistance Program in Portland, OR
• Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program in Portland, OR
• Frequently Asked Questions About Qualifying for Affordable Housing Programs
• Additional Assistance Available for Low Income Seniors in Portland
• How to Find Low Income Housing for Seniors in Portland, OR

Housing Options for Low Income Seniors in Portland, OR

Portland’s senior population is increasing at a rapid pace. In fact, it is expected to more than double, from approximately 251,000 in 2010 (11.1% of the region's population) to 518,100 by 2030 (17.0%). And because so many seniors live solely on their retirement savings and/or Social Security, it can be challenging to find a suitable place to live where the rent fits within their limited budgets.

Luckily, there are options available for seniors who meet the standards for being considered low- to very low-income. The following will give you a brief overview of the different low-income housing programs available to seniors in Portland, OR.

About the Low-Income Senior Housing Programs in Portland

Low-income apartments that are suitable for seniors are usually located in parts of Portland where convenience comes easy. These apartments tend to be close to all the things a senior might require, including grocery stores, healthcare services, and more.

But in all cases, the process of securing an apartment starts by applying for one or more of the available housing programs. In fact, it is usually recommended to apply for more than one since these programs can be in such high demand and apartment availability can be limited.

HUD Housing Choice Voucher Program

HUD’s Housing Choice Voucher Program was once called Section 8, but while the name has changed, the goal of the program remains the same. This program provides low-income seniors with rental assistance payments that are made directly to their landlords or apartment management to help offset the cost of their rent. To qualify for HUD’s voucher program, applicants must meet HUD’s income limits and basic eligibility requirements, which can include:

• They must not be a registered sex offender and/or not convicted of methamphetamine manufacture or production on public housing premises
• They must have not been evicted from federally assisted housing for drug-related criminal activity in the past 3 years
• They must have not been evicted from federally assisted housing within the past 5 years
• They must not owe money to any subsidized housing program
• Their income cannot exceed the program’s annual gross income guidelines

It is also important to note that if there are others living in the apartment with the senior applicant, then the income of every member in the household will be combined to determine the senior’s eligibility. Income limits are based on household size and a percentage of the annual average income for the Portland area. These limits are set annually and subject to change.

The Housing Choice Voucher Program is one of the most popular rental assistance programs available, and as a result they tend to be in very high demand. All applicants are therefore automatically placed on a waiting list. Eligibility is only determined once an applicant is chosen from the waiting list. This begins the application process to being approved for the voucher program.

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program is another program that is available from HUD, but unlike the voucher program which is also available to non-elderly and families, Section 202 is designed specifically for seniors over the age of 62 that meet either HUD’s low-income or very low-income standards. This program not only provides rent subsidies to seniors in need, but it also provides capital advances to “finance the construction, rehabilitation, or acquisition with or without rehabilitation of structures that will serve as supportive housing for very low-income elderly persons, including the frail elderly.”

The communities that fall under Section 202 also offer seniors access to certain beneficial support services such as cleaning, cooking, transportation, and more. To apply for a Section 202 apartment, seniors must submit an application in response to a Notice of Funding Availability (NOFA) posted on Grants.gov.

Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program (LIHTC)

The Low Income Housing Tax Credit program helps encourage developers and builders to construct, rehabilitate, and/or operate multi-unit dwellings that are specifically designated for low-income tenants, including the elderly. Unlike HUD’s voucher program, each individual community included in the LIHTC program tends to have its own eligibility requirements and, in many cases, the requirements can be even stricter than those used by HUD. As a result, it's always important to ask what the eligibility requirements are for the community you are interested in before applying to help increase your chances of being approved.

Because LIHTC apartments are designated for low-income individuals and families, they tend to be in high demand, and this can cause there to be long waiting lists for entry. Many communities can even be closed to new applications periodically simply because the agencies can’t keep up with the demand.

Regional Long-Term Rent Assistance Program in Portland, OR

Portland’s Regional Long-Term Rent Assistance program (RLRA) is managed by Home Forward and it provides rent subsidies to qualified low-income tenants, including seniors and those with disabilities. This program encourages private landlords to rent apartments and homes to these tenants at fair market rates. It can be either a tenant-based subsidy to help households find market homes, or a project-based subsidy that helps households who need on-site supportive services in a specific building. The program also works with service partners to help cover move-in costs and provide supportive services, as needed, to maintain housing stability.

Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program in Portland, OR

Portland’s Home Forward also partners with the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs to help military veterans secure affordable housing and supportive services through the Veterans Affairs Supportive Housing Program (VASH). With this program, Home Forward provides vouchers to eligible veterans experiencing homelessness. Referrals are made by the local Veterans Affairs Medical Center.

Veterans who believe they may be eligible for a VASH voucher should contact the VA Community Resource and Referral Center that serves the Portland area by calling 503-808-1256.

Frequently Asked Questions About Qualifying for Affordable Housing Programs

Apartments that accept low-income senior residents usually don’t last long when they become available. In fact, most new applicants are usually automatically placed on waiting lists, with apartment units provided on a first come, first served basis (depending on approval).

The programs that are designed to help low-income seniors afford their rent can have a broad range of requirements, and it’s not uncommon for some applicants to be outright denied eligibility for one of several reasons. If you are applying for one or more of the low-cost senior housing programs in Portland, then you probably have questions. Here are the answers to some of the most common questions about qualifying and being approved.

Q1. What are the eligibility requirements for low-income senior housing in Portland?

Seniors applying for low-income senior housing must be at least 62 years old and have a gross annual income that does not exceed HUD’s income limits for the Portland area. Applicants will also need to meet any other program-specific requirements as well as the terms of the lease for the apartment they are applying for.

Q2. Can I be denied an approval if I am a senior with a limited income?

Yes. Denials can occur for one of many reasons, the most common of which is having an income that exceeds the program’s income limit. Other common reasons for denial can include having a low credit score, a poor rental history, a criminal record, and/or the need for ongoing medical care or daily assistance that’s not provided by the apartment community. The important thing to  note is that every program has different eligibility requirements, so you should find out what the requirements are for the program you’re interested in before you apply to help reduce your risk of a denial.

Q3. Can I appeal if I have been denied by my program of choice?

Yes. If your application for a low income housing program is denied, then you will receive a written notice from the program that includes the reason for denial. If you feel the denial was a mistake and want to appeal, the instructions for how to file an appeal will be included in that letter.

Q4. Is there a way to improve my chances of being approved for a low income senior apartment?

The first thing you should do is find out what the exact requirements are for the program and the apartment you are interested in. Make sure that you meet the requirements before applying. When completing your application, make sure you include current and accurate information. If you submit an incomplete application or one with false information, then your application will be denied. To improve your odds of approval, you should also plan on being present at all requested interviews and follow up whenever needed as missing even just one interview can result in a denial.

Additional Assistance Available for Low Income Seniors in Portland

Portland offers a variety of services that can help improve the quality of life for its low income seniors. Most can be found via 211info.org. This resource can provide you with access and information to whatever assistance programs you might need, including utility assistance, discounted phone or internet services, SNAP food assistance, transportation services, low cost legal help, and so much more. Additional state benefits for low income seniors are available through the Oregon Department of Human Services.

How to Find Low Income Housing for Seniors in Portland, OR

Seniors living on limited incomes are already facing challenges. At Senioridy, we don’t believe that finding quality, affordable housing should be one of them. Our free online search directory can help take the stress and worry out of finding affordable senior apartments because this easy-to-use resource can help you find a great apartment in your choice of neighborhoods.

Once you find an apartment that you are interested in, the listing will include the appropriate contact details for the community. You can easily apply for residency directly by contacting the community. The unit's managing authority will conduct an interview and screening to determine if you qualify for low income senior housing. If you meet all the eligibility requirements for low income senior living, then an apartment will be allocated for you and you can take your next step toward obtaining a safe and well-maintained living space in Portland, OR.