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Affordable Housing for Phoenix Elderly New rental property developments in Phoenix bring affordable housing for senior citizens living with low income. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, there are over 864,000 senior citizens over the age of 65 living in Arizona. That is 13.3 percent of Arizona's population which is higher than the national average of 12.8 percent. It is also estimated that by the year 2020, the number of Arizona seniors over the age of 85 will increase 102 percent. The poverty of elderly in the United States has largely to do with poor health and medical costs. The statistics of the poverty rate of seniors over 65 take only income into account, not healthcare costs. The rate has, however, decreased considerably from 15 percent in 1974 to about 9.4 percent today. Social Security and Supplemental Security Income benefits have kept a large number of elderly out of poverty. If these benefits did not exist, approximately 44 percent of elderly would be impoverished according to the Center for American Progress. Even with social security benefits, senior citizens continue to struggle with their living conditions and economic status. 3.4 million senior citizens currently live below the poverty line which is $9,669 annual income for an individual and $12,186 annual income for a couple. In January of 2009, the US Department of Housing and Urban Development announced a $650 million housing program for low-income elderly and people with disabilities. Funds were granted to various non-profit organizations to develop affordable rental properties and apartments for seniors. $14 million of the program's funds went to developments in Arizona including properties in Phoenix, Mesa and Tucson. "These grants will help thousands of our nation's very low-income elderly and persons with disabilities find decent housing that they can afford," HUD Secretary Steve Preston said in a news release. "Neither group should ever have to worry about being able to find a safe place to live." All housing projects have to be approved through the city and then through HUD before they can begin construction. Once approved, construction takes 10 to 12 months. These complexes have 46 to 48 units and have special amenities and resources for elderly residents such as ramps and elevators. Activities and community services components are made available to the residents. A neighborhood network lab with computers and wifi will also be available. Two of the properties in Phoenix have just passed city approval and will soon begin construction. Fillmore Haciendas, located on Fillmore Street between 59th and 67th Avenues are awaiting final approval from HUD and one of the project managers for the development, Mary Montaño, said they are hoping to start construction by July of this year. The Roeser Haciendas, located on Roeser Road west of 14th Street, are expected to start construction by February. Both of these properties are sponsored by the National Farm Workers Service Center Inc. through the funds received by the HUD program. The NFWSC is a non profit organization that was founded in part by Cesar Chavez and mainly does work to develop communities for working farmers and Latino families. The organization has worked on housing development projects before in the Phoenix area as well as providing communication services mainly through Spanish radio stations, community leadership and sustainability solutions, and educational programs in partnership with the Cesar Chavez Education Institute. NFWSC works with HUD and other government departments to keep
their services available at little or no cost to the farm worker
and Latino communities. "One man who lives on one of these properties used to live in his car near the area," Redondo said.
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