Federal legislation could promote construction of senior housing

The U.S. Senate Banking Subcommittee on Housing, Transportation, and Community Development recently approved a bill to expand and improve the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly Program. 
The bill is intended to promote the construction of new senior housing facilities, as well as preserve and improve upon existing facilities, according to Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Milwaukee.
The Section 202 program provides capital grants to non-profit community organizations for the development of supportive housing and provision of rental assistance exclusively for low-income seniors.
“Over one-third of the Section 202 population is considered disabled enough to be at risk for being put in a nursing home,” Kohl said.  “Access to these types of services saves both seniors and the government money because they reduce the need for costly nursing home stays.  And ultimately they allow aging Americans to stay right where they want to be – in their own home.”