Finding Low-Income Senior Housing in San Francisco, CA

San Francisco is one of the most exciting and vibrant cities in the United States, but for most people, the word "expensive" is the first one to come to mind when they're asked about it. After all, San Fran's cost of living is 79% higher than the national average. As such, it might not be the first city you think of when you're looking for low-income housing for seniors, but just like every other major city in the country, San Francisco has programs and services in place that can help make finding clean, well-maintained, and affordable apartments for seniors easier.

Located at the end of the San Francisco Peninsula off the San Francisco Bay, the city of San Francisco is the commercial, financial, and cultural center of Northern California. It is home to several iconic attractions and sites, including the Golden Gate Bridge, Alcatraz Island, Fisherman's Wharf, Lombard Street, the Walt Disney Family Museum, the Ferry Building, and so many others.

Along with being the home to Silicon Valley, San Fran also enjoys a vibrant arts and culture scene, hundreds of miles of scenic nature trails, one of the most innovative culinary scenes in the country, several pro sports teams, and an abundance of rich history. It is also a city with a pleasant year-round climate. In the summer, the weather is wonderfully warm and dry and winters tend to be mild and damp. With an average annual daytime temperature of 63 degrees, seniors have endless opportunities to experience the beauty of the region regardless of the season.

Another reason why you may want to consider San Francisco for low-cost apartment communities for seniors is its extraordinary healthcare services, which include the nationally ranked UCSF Health and John Muir Health networks. It's also important to note that California does not tax social security income, including survivor's benefits and disability benefits, and this can help seniors more readily afford the things they need, which is extremely important for those with low incomes.

In this guide, you will learn more about low-income senior housing in San Francisco, including:

Low-Income Senior Housing Programs in San Francisco, CA
What is HOME-SF?
Additional Services for Low-Income Seniors in San Francisco, CA
Tips for Applying for Low-Income Housing Programs for Seniors
How to Find Affordable Housing for Seniors in San Francisco, CA

Low-Income Senior Housing Programs in San Francisco, CA

Seniors in need of low-income housing in San Francisco have several programs to choose from depending on their needs. These programs provide rental subsidies to qualifying seniors, so they can afford to live in comfortable, safe, and clean environments. These programs have varying guidelines for eligibility, but they all rely significantly on the income of the applicants and their families.

The low-income senior housing programs available in San Francisco include:

Subsidized Senior Apartments
Section 202 Senior Housing
Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Programs
HUD Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers

Subsidized Senior Apartments in San Francisco, CA

The San Francisco Housing Authority's Public Housing Agency is a governmental body that is authorized to assist in the development or operation of housing for low-income seniors and families. The Authority provides housing for low-income seniors and families while charging only 30% of the household's total income for rent. Subsidized senior apartments have general income requirements and some may take into consideration a senior's medical expenses when calculating the rent. Due to the popularity of these apartments, they tend to be in very high demand, so it's not uncommon for there to be long waiting lists to get into these communities.

Low-income seniors who are looking for subsidized apartments in San Francisco are advised to get on the Housing Authority's waitlist.

Section 202 Senior Housing Communities in San Francisco

Section 202 senior apartments provide safe, sanitary, and well-maintained housing for low or very low-income seniors over the age of 62. These communities will also usually have a Service Coordinator on staff who can help elderly residents find a variety of other beneficial resources and apply for any senior programs that they might also be eligible for. Besides being affordable, one of the main benefits of living in a Section 202 community is that these apartments tend to be located close to public transportation, medical services, and shopping centers.

To be eligible for a Section 202 low-income senior apartment, a senior's income must not be over 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI). If other family members are going to reside with the senior in a Section 202 community, then their income will also be calculated along with the main applicants for eligibility.

Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) Program for San Francisco

The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) provides tax credits to builders and developers in return for acquiring, rehabilitating, or constructing housing units for lower-income households and individuals. LIHTC properties have tiered income limits, which essentially means that the applicant's income must fall within the assigned bracket to qualify. The base rent is set at 30% of the income of the AMI tied to the unit.

It is important to note that LIHTC properties are not solely made available for low-income seniors. Only 16% of these apartments are specifically designated for senior living with the remaining suitable for low-income families. However, seniors can also choose to reside in units that are not specifically designated for seniors, so their options aren't limited. As with subsidized housing, there are also income requirements that need to be met to qualify for residency in a LIHTC apartment.

While LIHTC properties also tend to have waiting lists, funding for this program is more abundant than some of the other affordable housing programs. Therefore, the chances of finding a vacancy can be higher for a LIHTC unit.

San Francisco Section 8 Housing Choice Vouchers

Another popular senior housing solution in San Francisco comes in the form of Section 8 Housing Vouchers. These vouchers provide housing assistance for low-income families, the elderly, and people with disabilities, so they can find affordable housing in the private market. Using these vouchers, seniors are responsible for 30% of their rent if qualified, with the San Francisco Housing Authority covering the remaining portion.

Due to the popularity of this voucher program, the Housing Authority holds a lottery to determine which applicants get added to the waiting list. In general, a lottery is used to randomly select 6,500 applicants. The names selected through the lottery will have waitlist preferences taken into consideration and be placed on the Housing Choice Voucher (HVC) waitlist.

There are several eligibility and income requirements that applicants must meet to be qualified for the HCV waitlist, including:

At least one household member must be a U.S. citizen, U.S. National, or Non-Citizen with eligible immigration status; and
Have a head of household that is at least 18 years of age at the time of this waitlist application; and
Pass a criminal background check; and
Not be subject to a lifetime sex offender registration requirement under a state sex offender registration program; and
Must not have ever been convicted of manufacturing or producing methamphetamine on the premises of any federally assisted housing; and
Does not owe rent or other amounts to the San Francisco Housing Authority (or any other public housing authority). Assistance will not be offered until the outstanding balance is paid in full; and
The total household income must not exceed 50% of the Area Median Income (AMI) unless the family is already receiving assistance from the Housing Authority of the City and County of San Francisco or a different Public Housing Authority, then total household income must not exceed 80% of AMI.

What is HOME-SF?

HOME-SF is a local density bonus program for developers constructing mixed-income housing in certain areas of San Francisco. Under HOME-SF, 20 to 30 percent of the units in a new housing project must be affordable to low-, middle-, and moderate-income families and individuals. HOME-SF residential developments are also required to place a strong emphasis on ground-floor retail, which can make for greater convenience for the elderly.

When applying for an apartment built under the HOME-SF guidelines, the income for every member living in the apartment is considered. To qualify for the program's very low-income requirements, the household collectively needs to earn less than 55 percent of San Francisco's Area Median Income.

Additional Services for Low-Income Seniors in San Francisco, CA

There are several resources that every low-income senior in San Francisco can access that can add value and convenience to their lives. For instance, The San Francisco Human Services Agency's Department of Disability and Aging Services (DAS) has a variety of programs designed to promote health, safety, and independence for older adults, veterans, and people with disabilities. Some of the programs include home-delivered meals and groceries, congregate nutrition programs, the Choosing Healthy Appetizing Meal Plan Solutions for Seniors (CHAMPS) program, CalFresh food assistance, legal services, tax help, community activities, and more.

Low-income seniors aged 65 and over can also ride the city's Muni bus, rail, or cable car systems for free. Other beneficial resources for low-income seniors in San Fran include but are not limited to:

Tips for Applying for Low-Income Housing Programs for Seniors

When applying for programs designed to help you secure low-income senior housing, there are several things you can do that can help streamline your application and improve your chances of qualification. Here are some important tips to follow that can help you avoid disqualification.

Avoid false information. Providing inaccurate information can result in disqualification and even put you in legal trouble.
When applying, read the program's terms and conditions carefully to ensure compliance.
Some affordable senior housing programs have citizenship requirements for qualification. Find them out before submitting your application.
Speak with your debtors to clear up any negative marks on your credit report.
If you have been evicted in the past for any reason, make sure to give a detailed account of what happened and be prepared to provide references to back up your claim.
Ensure that all members of the household have a clean criminal record.

Because the waitlists for all the low-income housing programs for seniors in San Francisco can be so long, it is recommended to apply for more than one to help improve your chances of securing affordable housing.

How to Find Low-Income Housing for Seniors in San Francisco, CA

In a city as large as San Francisco, it can be easy to become overwhelmed in your search for low-cost senior apartments simply due to the selection, waiting lists, and application processes. But finding the right apartment doesn't have to be so difficult or time-consuming.

Senioridy's free online search portal has a built-in filter that allows you to narrow your search for low-income senior housing in the San Francisco area. The results will include detailed information about the vacant properties along with their photos, application requirements, and contact details of the management team.

Each unit's managing authority will conduct an interview and screening. If you meet all the eligibility requirements for low-income senior living, and there is a vacancy in your chosen community, then an apartment will be allocated for you.