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Washington brings good news about affordable housing for seniors

April 12, 2018 Article 4 min read
Authors:
Dana Wollschlager Plante Moran Living Forward

With White House approval of the fiscal year 2018 spending bill, the senior living industry will see increased funding related to age-related illness research and affordable senior housing.

Senior couple sitting on a couch reading a senior housing brochure

Legislators passed a fiscal year 2018 budget with several provisions that benefit the senior living industry, especially given the concern about the nation-wide lack of affordable senior housing.

The spending bill increases funding for research into age-related illness:

  • $414 million increase for Alzheimer's and dementia research
  • $4.5 million for health promotion dedicated to Alzheimer's disease
  • $2 million for fall-prevention initiatives

It also offers much-needed funds for affordable housing development programs that benefit seniors:

  • Overall, a $4.6 billion increase over fiscal year 2017, according to the NLIHC
  • 12.5% increase in Low Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), which may be able to make up for the hit LIHTC developments took with the reduction of the corporate tax
  • $678 million increase to the Section 202 Housing for the Elderly program, according to LeadingAge
  • Increased funding for low-income home energy assistance, social services block grants, and other home- and community-based service programs

You can read a comprehensive summary of the spending bill at McKnight’s Senior Living.

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