Every state has departments that are responsible for the planning and funding of affordable housing projects. Alabama’s is called the Alabama Housing Finance Authority or AHFA. In statements released late last year, the AHFA announced that its Board of Directors has approved both its HOME Action Plan and Low-Income Housing Tax Credit State Qualified Action Plan. These are two of the primary tools used by the AHFA to promote low-income housing development.

The HOME Action Plan defines several AHFA housing priorities for 2011, which will be used to determine how HOME funds are distributed. Those priorities include: adding to existing low-income housing stock, funding projects that could not otherwise include affordable units without HOME funds, and ensuring that HOME funds are evenly distributed throughout the state. Over $16.5 million has been allocated for HOME funds for the 2011 fiscal year. Of that, about $2.5 million is designated for Community Housing Development Organizations (CHDOs), which are the primary drivers for low-income housing creation.

Alabama’s LIHTC Plan lists the same priorities as its HOME Action Plan, focusing on increased affordable housing stock and an even distribution of tax credits across the state. The LIHTC Action Plan includes credit ceilings, requirements for the application process, and required progress once tax credits have been reserved. Though the AHFA Board of Directors has approved both plans, they are not finalized. The HOME Action Plan still has to be approved by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. The LIHTC plan requires approval by Alabama’s Governor. As a result, both plans are still subject to change. Current versions of both the HOME and the LIHTC plans are available online. They are great examples of the tools states use to ensure that proper attention and funding is given to affordable housing projects.

Different Affordable Senior Living Options in Los Angeles

What makes nursing homes and assisted living facilities so expensive? All senior living housing requires some expense from the cost of maintaining property to the cost of food, materials and medical supplies to the cost of hiring a full staff. Group activities like games, musical or pet therapies, rehabilitative or educational programs and field trips also cost the facility a fair amount of money. All of these expenses combined can easily range into the tens of thousands, justifying monthly costs of $2,000 per resident. It doesn’t help that California is one of the most expensive states in the country, and it’s probably true that if you left the state you could find more affordable residential family living.

However, home is where the heart is, and many California residents have strong roots in the state, not to mention immediate and extended family members close by. Seniors who are just retiring from the workforce may find a total change in state scenery too drastic to comfortably live with. How can you find affordable senior living in Los Angeles?

The first consideration is to look specifically for low-income homes. There are centers for affordable senior living in Los Angeles, that is, units specially designed for lower-income families. They may be HUD sponsored homes, which is a project by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, to help families find affordable housing for seniors. Don’t immediately believe that all of these low-income retirement homes are of low quality. While it may be true that the center cannot afford the best of amenities or the finest facilities in the state, the senior home’s staff may very considerate and trained to provide the best health care possible.

Prices of Affordable Senior Living in Los Angeles

How much does affordable senior living in Los Angeles cost these days? It largely depends on what you’re looking for from a facility, as well as the type of services provided. An assisted living home does not provide any medical attention, only non-medical supervision for residents, which may include bathing, dressing, grooming and custodial work. Assisted living homes allow a degree of independence and thus are usually less expensive than nursing homes. Monthly fees start at $1,500 a month and may be as high as $6,000 a month. There is a slight discount for double occupancy, which may be $1,000 to $2,500 per month. The cost of assisted living homes are directly affected by the regularity of services provided.

Retirement communities and continuing care facilities are figured differently in comparing affordable senior living in Los Angeles. Retirement communities usually do not provide much in the way of monitoring or custodial work and may only charge a tenant $1,000 per month. Continuing care communities offer much more individual care and usually involve lifetime accommodations that change with the health of the resident. It is not unheard of for these homes to charge $20,000 to $40,000 a month or more.

Solutions to Affordable Senior Living in Los Angeles

If you are having difficulty locating an affordable senior home, then there are least two solutions that can help your search. First, look into your Medicaid plan. Medicaid may partially cover the rent of low-income seniors. If you find a board and care or assisted living facility for about a $1,500 a month, then a partial Medicaid payment along with your own income may be just enough to handle the costs.