LeadingAge: Urge Senate and House to Fund New Housing for Older Adults

As Congress deliberates funding levels for HUD programs for the next fiscal year, fiscal year 2020, legislators must hear from you about the need to expand and preserve housing funding for older adults with very low incomes.

The significant need for more Section 202 homes is nationwide and only growing. Today, only 1 in every 3 older adults eligible for housing assistance receives it because the programs are too small to meet need.

Expansion of the Section 202 program would mean that fewer older adults will be forced to choose between housing, healthcare, and food.

Join LeadingAge in asking Congress for:

• Expanded funding for new Section 202 homes to $600 million.
• Full funding for rental assistance contracts renewal.
• Full Service Coordinator funding, as well as $30 million to expand Service Coordinators to more communities.
• Enactment of legislation to improve and expand the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program.
• Protection of the National Housing Trust Fund,  Capital Magnet Fund, and Private Activity Bonds.

How You Can Help:

• Call or email your lawmakers TODAY! Visit LeadingAge’s action alert page to send an email.
• Share this information with the residents in your community and suggest that they call as well. The proposed changes will directly impact them.
• Forward this action alert to your network.

Steps for Making a Call:

• Dial this toll-free number: 844-414-6954
• Feel free to use the sample script below when you talk to the staff person who answers the phone.
• After talking with the staff person, do not hang up. Allow the staff person to hang up, and the automated system will then connect you to your next lawmaker.

Sample Script: As a constituent, I am asking you to increase HUD Section 202 Housing funds for older adults by providing $600 million in funding for new senior housing in the fiscal year 2020 HUD bill. Please also fund the renewal of rental assistants contracts within HUD.

I am also asking you to provide an additional $30 million to expand Service Coordinators in our communities.

Congress also needs to expand and improve the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program and protect the National Housing Trust Fund, Capital Magnet Fund, and Private Activity Bonds.

I am also asking you to provide an additional $30 million to expand Service Coordinators in our communities.

Congress also needs to expand and improve the Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program and protect the National Housing Trust Fund, Capital Magnet Fund, and Private Activity Bonds.