Living in subsidized housing and duration of tenure: Do older adults stay in low-income housing as they age?

Background: The Low Income Housing Tax Credit Program(LIHTC) is used to develop and preserve affordable housing for low-income seniors (<30% Area Median Income). Older adults with more income and who are homeowners are more likely to “age in place”. With 2 million older adults living in subsidized housing, the characteristics of those who stay in LIHTC projects are unclear. The purpose of this study is to describe the factors associated with duration of tenure of residents aged 55 and older living in LIHTC projects. Methods: Administrative data from LIHTC records (n= 6,384) of residents aged 55+ in 2008 was analyzed. The mean age was 73.0(SD 9.7) years, 73.7% were female, 70.1% were White, and 12% had any disability. Multinomial logistic regression models were used to examine factors associated with tenure (0-1, 2-5, 6-10, >10 years). Results: The mean tenure was 4.0(SD 3.6) years (range 4 months to 30 years). Sixteen percent of residents moved out of their rental unit. Controlling for the age of the housing project, those who stayed >10 years were older (85+) (OR=5.3;p<.001), black(OR=6.5;p<.001), and female(OR=2.2;p=.023). Disability, income, and rental assistance type were not associated with duration of tenure in the multivariate models. Implications: Older adults, particularly minorities, are staying in LIHTC projects into old age with few transitioning to other housing arrangements. As the population continues to age, health and housing policy should converge to address the needs of LIHTC housing residents' through a multidisciplinary approach providing affordable and safe housing options for disabled, low-income elders.