Housing options for active/independent (but not rich) senior
My mom is 65. She's been experiencing some minor health challenges but is otherwise very active and independent. She works 4 days a week and takes care of my kids two days a week. Unfortunately, though she makes enough money to support herself, she hasn't been able to save hardly anything for retirement, so when she retires in the next 5ish years she will be relying on social security and whatever financial help my husband and I are able to give her (some, but not a lot). She currently rents a home that she loves but will likely be too expensive to stay in after retirement. She also lost her husband (my stepdad) in 2020 and is finally through her grief enough to be looking forward into the future; she wants to have a vibrant and full life so she doesn't sink into depression.
We are exploring various options for her living situation after she retires. County-run senior citizen centers are currently at the top of our list because they are affordable, but she has been discouraged by the complicated and convoluted application process and the multiple-years-long waitlist (she was recently told that they are just starting to admit people who applied in 2015!). Looking at privately run senior homes is equally discouraging -- they are very expensive and/or don't provide the level of independence that she craves (i.e. no kitchen inside the unit). She would love to find some sort of situation where she has her own complete unit (kitchen, bathroom, bedroom) but is also surrounded by peers for company, support and fun. That might be a privately organized co-housing space for seniors, or something else! who knows. Ideally she would like to stay near-ish to me and my kids (we are in Oakland) but she's willing to go as far as an hour and a half-ish away (Sacramento, Santa Rosa?)
Does anyone have any ideas or advice about this process? Either ideas of places we should look at, or encouragement about the application process, or any other helpful thoughts? She's single and I'm an only child so we are figuring out this journey together. Thanks!
Parent Replies
Also an only child as a single mother reporting in to say that I am in somewhat of the same position (although my mom is 76 and long retired). One important fact you didn't include is if your mom is earning below AMI, which would qualify her to get on waiting lists for affordable senior housing. It is based on her current county of residence, and you can look it up here: https://www.hcd.ca.gov/sites/default/files/docs/grants-and-funding/inco… If she does qualify as below median or "low", I would definitely start putting her on those waiting lists for the greater East Bay and in the meantime, she keeps working and saving as much as possible in case she does not rise to the top of the list. Some reputable affordable housing developers are Mercy, SAHA, and RCD (you can sign up for notifications on their website to get an email when waiting lists open). Not to say that you and she should rely on these, but it's very prudent to at least get on the waiting lists while she may end up exploring or settling on other options. My mom refuses to even do that, so appreciate your mom's cooperation!
I’ve done some similar thinking for my mom who just moved here from the east coast at 78, but with more financial resources such can rent at market rate for at least a few years, and then we’ll figure out what to do next.
We considered this option for her- don’t know if your mom could get a mortgage while she is still working and still cover it with her social security later? https://phoenixcommons.com/your-home/ I think some of the small units sell for the 500’s.
I’d also make sure you check if your mother will be eligible to take your step-dad’s social security as that might be a higher benefit than hers if he was the higher earning partner.
Definitely get on the waitlists for senior housing. My mom has been very happy in her subsidized apartment from Burbank Housing: https://www.burbankhousing.org/our-properties/. She waited about three years to get an offer but pays around $600 a month for a one-bedroom in a friendly community in downtown Sonoma. There are also lots of other benefits of living in the complex like free internet, low-cost utilities (think $10 a month); a free organic farmers market once a week, free donated meals from high-end Sonoma restaurants, community events, etc.
Hi. I completely empathize with your message. I am also the only child of a single mother and I know this conversation is coming soon with her. However, I wanted to mention that we just moved my in-laws to the Bay from Ohio, and they live at Baywood Court in Castro Valley. It’s a lovely community with lots of activities and engagement for the seniors. They also have apartments with full kitchens and complete independent living. The caveat is that it’s pretty expensive, unfortunately. But maybe worth a look.
We also explored various options for my 80+ yo mom. The wait lists for affordable senior housing nearby seemed daunting. One of my sisters lives in Seattle and found a senior housing option with much lower wait times for apartments and independent living situations. http://northavenseniorliving.org. After just a few months on the wait list our mom got in.
If nothing seems to be available nearby, perhaps consider options in other cities, particularly if other family is nearby.
I recommend you look at the independent living units at Baywood Court in Castro Valley. Although not cheap, it’s less expensive than many and the apartments have a small, full kitchen (some meals are also included in the rent, as well as housekeeping, etc). My mom was there for a little bit, but she moved to a higher level of care because she was unable to live independently.
I helped a family member get on the low-income senior housing at MidPen https://www.midpen-housing.org/find-housing/ for the peninsula area. It was more difficult 20 years ago because it wasn't all online, and at that time I had to drive to each place to turn in the application (yes they are convoluted but just do your best and they can tell you what you're missing) but the offices weren't always open during their stated office hours.
Still don't be discouraged it was worth it and this family member now has a place that is affordable. Also they warned the waiting list would be about 10 years, yes they were right, which at the time didn't feel very helpful but 10 years goes by quicker than one thinks and when her name came up it was very helpful to have these options. However once she needs more help, only semi-independent like an assisted living situation, I have no idea what we'll do as I don't think there is such a thing for low-income. I guess one has to self-pay for someone to come in. As far as I know, the only next help there is would be once they need nursing home care.
This is low-income senior housing for the San Mateo County region https://www.cityofsanmateo.org/524/Rental-Housing-Programs
Here is another place I noticed but know nothing about https://www.humangood.org/housing-options/affordable-housing
I'm not sure of the Berkeley Oakland area. There are some church groups who act as developers for low-income housing. I think the Presbyterians are one group. I believe they used to have some buildings in SF but not sure if they do anymore so that's worth looking into.
Right now your mom has some income so she'll be applying at one income level, but I realize once she's older on surviving on SS, that will be an even lower income level. I assume they adjust that because at that level you want the 30% housing, I think that's the lowest level and means she'll only pay 30% of her income.
I already responded but happened across another place - affordable senior 55+ apartment rental. Have no info on it but just in case - Delta Cove Senior Apts in Sacramento. https://www.apartments.com/delta-cove-senior-apartments-sacramento-ca/p95nylt/