Types of Senior Housing in Philadelphia

When looking for a place to live, you have several options depending on your age, income, and care needs. Affordable apartments are different from licensed care facilities.

Private and nonprofit senior apartments are often funded through tax-credit programs. The property managers set their own income limits and age requirements, which are typically 62 and older. You must contact each property directly to find out if you qualify.

Personal care homes and assisted living residences provide both housing and daily support. The Pennsylvania Department of Human Services licenses these facilities and inspects them annually. In a personal care home, bedrooms may be shared by up to four people. In an assisted living residence, units are private and look similar to a studio apartment.

If you need daily help, you can compare senior living options to decide what fits your needs. Moving to a licensed facility provides round-the-clock staffing, but it is a very different environment than renting an apartment. You can learn more about the differences by reading about home care versus assisted living.

Philadelphia Housing Authority (PHA) Senior Developments

The Philadelphia Housing Authority designates several developments for residents who are 55 and older. You can apply for standard PHA senior housing through the “Apply for Housing” page on the PHA website, or you can call their main line at 215-684-4000.

Some PHA sites are marked as AME, which stands for Alternatively Managed Entities. These sites are privately managed. They keep their own waitlists, so you must apply directly to the site office rather than through the main PHA admissions page.

Below are examples of PHA senior developments and AME sites in Philadelphia:

If you need support at home while you wait for a housing application to be approved, contact New Century Home Care. Call 215-974-0000 or select the “I am a client” option on our contact form.

Applying for Senior Apartments: Practical Tips

Getting into affordable senior housing takes time. Because demand is high, you should apply to several different locations. Submit applications through the main PHA website and contact AME locations directly to get on their specific waitlists.

Always keep your contact information current with every property where you apply. If a property cannot reach you when your name comes up, you may miss the opening.

Ask each site directly about their application process and waitlist status. Private and nonprofit senior apartments have their own rules, so you must contact each property to ask about income limits and availability. For more local resources, you can review our Philadelphia resource guide.

Staying in Your Current Home Instead

You might decide that moving is not the right choice. Staying at home is possible with the right help. You can add home care services to your current house or apartment.

If your house needs work, the city offers help. The Senior Housing Assistance Repair Program (SHARP) offers free minor repairs and modifications for Philadelphia homeowners 60 and older who are at or below 200% of the poverty level. The program can fix leaky faucets and toilets, install smoke alarms, and add grab bars or tub benches.

The Basic Systems Repair Program (BSRP) provides free repairs for electrical, plumbing, and heating emergencies in owner-occupied single-family homes. To qualify, you must own no other residential property in Philadelphia and be current on your property taxes and water bill. You can read more about home repair programs to see if you qualify.

Taxes can also make staying home difficult. Philadelphia offers the Low-Income Senior Citizen Real Estate Tax Freeze, which locks your real estate tax amount at the level of the year you qualify. You can apply if you are 65 or older, or if you live with a spouse who is 65 or older. The Pennsylvania Property Tax/Rent Rebate program also offers standard rebates up to $1,000 for eligible homeowners and renters 65 and older. Learn more about property tax relief options.

If you need daily help, you must also consider the cost of home care. New Century is a trusted home care agency in Philadelphia that helps older adults with daily activities in their own homes.

Getting Help While You Wait

Home care can start in any housing type. Caregivers can come to a house you have owned for decades or to a new senior apartment. They help with bathing, dressing, meal preparation, and walking.

If your loved one is eligible for Medicaid, the Community HealthChoices (CHC) waiver covers personal assistance services. The CHC waiver also covers home adaptations, non-medical transportation, home-delivered meals, and personal emergency response systems. A service coordinator will create a person-centered service plan that details which services your loved one will receive.

The CHC waiver also allows some family members to be paid for their caregiving work. Relatives can be hired as paid caregivers through a licensed agency or the Services My Way program. However, the waiver will not pay for services provided by a spouse, legal guardian, representative payee, or power of attorney.

To learn more about setting up home care services in your current home or new apartment, call New Century Home Care at 215-974-0000 or fill out our online form and choose “I am a client”.