AARP: Policy and Research Information for Professionals in Aging

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Housing Affordability

In Brief: Opportunities for Creating Livable Communities  / Research Report
April 2008— The most common barriers to creating livable communities are examined in this concise summary of an AARP Public Policy Institute report by Mia R. Oberlink of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York’s Center for Home Care Policy and Research. The report offers numerous examples of how communities around the country have realized increased housing and transportation choices for older adults and other community members, serving as an easy, non-technical introduction to how livable communities can be implemented through effective community planning. (2 pages) (Publication ID: INB155)

Opportunities for Creating Livable Communities  / Research Report
April 2008— The most common barriers to creating livable communities are examined in this AARP Public Policy Institute report by Mia R. Oberlink of the Visiting Nurse Service of New York’s Center for Home Care Policy and Research. The report offers numerous examples of how communities around the country have realized increased housing and transportation choices for older adults and other community members, serving as an easy, non-technical introduction to how livable communities can be implemented through effective community planning. (35 pages) (Publication ID: 2008-02)

The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program: A Critical Resource for Low-Income Households  / Research Report
January 2008— The Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP) is the most important source of assistance for low-income households coping with rising energy costs; yet because of inadequate funding, many eligible households go without assistance. Written by Ann McLarty Jackson and Christopher Baker, this AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet discusses funding for LIHEAP and participation in the program. (2 pages) (Publication ID: FS138)

Housing Trust Funds  / Research Report
November 2007— The role housing trust funds can play in meeting affordable housing needs is examined in this AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Andrew Kochera. Topics discussed include the number of state and local trust funds, the use of housing trust funds to promote a variety of housing activities, and the use of trust funds for older residents. The report concludes that, in addition to helping older residents, housing trust funds provide relief for a wide range of housing problems identified by state and local governments. (3 pages) (Publication ID: FS139)

Issues in Manufactured Housing  / Research Report
October 2007— Manufactured homes are a major source of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families. This AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet, written by Jean Accius, examines recently published data on persons age 50 or older in manufactured housing. Topics discussed include the characteristics of persons age 50+ who live in manufactured housing, issues related to the construction and safety standards of manufactured housing, and practices in manufactured home parks. (2 pages) (Publication ID: FS16R)

State Housing Profiles: A Special Analysis of the Census Bureau's American Community Survey  / Research Report
March 2007— Brief summaries of the housing conditions for older residents in each of the 50 U.S. states and the District of Columbia--with demographic and household measures for housing advocates, policymakers, regulators, and other interested persons--are presented in this AARP Public Policy Institute Chartbook by Andrew Kochera. (232 pages) (Publication ID: D18637)

Developing Appropriate Rental Housing For Low-Income Older Persons: A Survey Of Section 202 And LIHTC Property Managers  / Research Report
December 2006— How two major federal programs serve the needs of low-income older renters is examined in this AARP Public Policy Institute Data Digest by Andrew Kochera. The paper also finds evidence that the supply of affordable rental housing is inadequate. The report is based on a 2006 AARP survey of Section 202 and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit (LIHTC) property managers. (10 pages) (Publication ID: DD149)

2006 Survey of AARP New Mexico Members  / Research Report
November 2006— Findings from a 2006 mail survey exploring and measuring the opinions of AARP members on legislative issues and personal concerns are presented in five individual topical reports concerning affordable housing, consumer financial privacy, long-term care, transportation, and utilities.

2005 Maryland Legislative Issues: Livable Communities Newsletter  / Research Report
November 2006— Low crime tops the list of community livability characteristics considered important by 2,000 AARP Maryland members participating in this late 2005 mail survey with cost of living, housing choice and affordability, and transportation concerns close behind. AARP MEMBER OPINION RESEARCH

Low-Income Housing Tax Credits: Helping Meet the Demand for Affordable Rental Housing  / Research Report
March 2006— The Low-Income Housing Tax Credit is the federal government’s primary vehicle for producing affordable rental housing. This AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Kim Bright explains how the program works, highlights project characteristics, and discusses older renters in the program. (2 pages) (Publication ID: FS74R)

Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly  / Research Report
March 2006— The only federally funded housing program designed specifically for older persons is described in this AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Kim Bright. It explains the features of Section 202 Supportive Housing, presents key findings on the characteristics of residents, highlights the growing need for affordable supportive housing, and discusses recent budget and production issues. (2 pages) (Publication ID: FS65R)

Manufactured Housing Tenants: Shifting the Balance of Power  / Research Report
June 2004— Owners of manufactured (or 'mobile') homes face unique problems as consumers when they rent a lot in a community for manufactured homes. This report by the AARP Public Policy Institute presents a model statute that addresses these problems. (96 pages) (Publication ID: D18138)

Serving the Affordable Housing Needs of Older Low-Income Renters: A Survey of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit Properties  / Research Report
April 2002— Results of a survey of nearly 1,600 owners of Low-Income Housing Tax Credit rental properties are reviewed in this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by Andrew Kochera who addresses important topics related to the provision of affordable and appropriate rental housing for older persons. (98 pages) (Publication ID: 2002-07)

A Summary of Federal Rental Housing Programs  / Fact Sheet
May 2001— In 1999, about 1.7 million households headed by a person age 62 or older benefited from some kind of federal renting housing program. The history of these programs and how they respond to the critical need for affordable rental housing is outlined in this AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet by Andrew Kochera. (4 pages) (Publication ID: FS85)

Issues in Manufactured Housing  / Fact Sheet
May 2001— Manufactured homes are a major source of affordable housing for low- and moderate-income families. In this AARP Public Policy Institute Fact Sheet, Andrew Kochera describes the scale of the manufactured housing industry, the homes' characteristics and their residents' demographics, and reviews construction issues and unfair practices in manufactured home parks. (4 pages) (Publication ID: FS16R)

Section 8 Project-Based Rental Assistance: The Potential Loss of Affordable Federally Subsidized Housing Stock  / Research Report
February 2001— Why property owners have an incentive to opt-out of the rental assistance program and what can be done to persuade them to stay are explored in this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Brief by Andrew Kochera, Don Redfoot and Jeremy Citro. (15 pages) (Publication ID: IB47)

The 1999 National Survey of Section 202 Elderly Housing  / Research Report
January 2001— Changes in project and resident characteristics, consumer demand, services offered, management style, and capital needs since previous surveys in 1983 and 1988 are documented in this AARP Public Policy Institute Issue Paper by Leonard F. Heumann, Karen Winter-Nelson and James Anderson of the University of Illinois. (106 pages) (Publication ID: 2001-02)