HUD SECRETARY BEN CARSON VISITS SUPPORTIVE HOUSING FACILITY FOR LOW-INCOME SENIORS IN IOWA

DES MOINES, IA - U.S. Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson today visited a HUD-funded supportive housing facility for low-income seniors alongside Iowa Governor Kim Reynolds. Secretary Carson and Governor Reynolds met with the leadership of the facility and toured the property.

Secretary Ben Carson tours a supportive housing facility for low-income seniors in Des Moines, Iowa alongside Governor Kim Reynolds. View additional pictures via Secretary Carson's Twitter page here (https://twitter.com/SecretaryCarson).

"As Chair of the White House Council on Eliminating Barriers to Affordable Housing, it's a pleasure to visit Plymouth Place, a facility focused on providing affordable housing options for some of our Nation's most vulnerable," said Secretary Carson. "Amid this unprecedented national pandemic, it is more important than ever that America's low-income seniors have the peace of mind that a safe and stable place to live provides."

"Through strong collaboration at the state, local and federal level we are supporting affordable housing initiatives that are upholding Iowa's high quality of life and vibrant workforce," said Gov. Reynolds. "I sincerely appreciate Secretary Carson coming today to discuss the positive outcomes of the Trump Administration's work in this area. I also want to thank Plymouth Place for hosting us and for their continued commitment to affordable housing across the state of Iowa."

The Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program helps expand the supply of affordable housing with supportive services for the elderly. It provides very low-income elderly with options that allow them to live independently but in an environment that provides support for activities such as cleaning, cooking, and transportation.

Background:

Under the Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program, HUD provides capital advances to finance the construction, rehabilitation or acquisition with or without rehabilitation of structures that will serve as supportive housing for very low-income elderly persons, including the frail elderly, and provides rent subsidies for the projects to help make them affordable.

HUD provides interest-free capital advances to private, nonprofit sponsors to finance the development of supportive housing for the elderly. The capital advance does not have to be repaid as long as the project serves very low-income elderly persons for 40 years.

Project rental assistance funds are provided to cover the difference between the HUD-approved operating cost for the project and the tenants' contribution towards rent. Project rental assistance contracts are approved initially for 3 years and are renewable based on the availability of funds.

Read more about the Section 2020 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program here.

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