Save Senior Housing

 

Throughout the Commonwealth the need for more affordable housing is evident and this need is ever increasing among seniors. Currently in the US, there are at least nine seniors waiting for every occupied unit of affordable elderly housing and this demand is expected to rise dramatically in the next fifteen years as the senior population booms. Nationally, the Congressional commission estimates that by 2020 we will need an additional 730,000 rent-assisted units for limited income seniors 65 and older.

However, while the demand is increasing more than 83,000 units of affordable housing in Massachusetts are at risk of “expiring” and becoming market rate. These privately owned “expiring use” developments were built with taxpayer money for one purpose--to provide low and moderate-income tenants with a decent, safe and affordable home. Unfortunately, owners are now taking advantage of federal deregulation, leaving the HUD subsidy programs and doubling and tripling rents.

According to the Community Economic Development Assistance Corporation, more than 5,000 affordable homes have been converted to market rents in Massachusetts since 1998, and 27,020 more are at-risk in the next five years. There are some federal protections for current residents but it means a permanent loss of the affordable units to the community. Approximately 85% of the current residents are seniors or younger people with disabilities and these units would not be replaced.

Mass Senior Action Council is preparing to send a strong message to the legislature that we cannot afford to lose any more affordable housing. The MSAC State board has endorsed two key pieces of legislation that would not only protect existing residents but provide for long term preservation of these units as affordable.

One is the Statewide Purchasing Act that will offer protection by requiring landlords with expiring use buildings to give notice and offer the property to non-profits, The other is the Enabling Act to Save Affordable Housing. This legislation will “enable” local cities and towns to regulate rent increase in these buildings.

For more information about how you can get involved to save affordable housing contact your local organizer.