Affordable Senior Housing News 2026Mar13

New Information: HUD proposes time limits and work requirements in affordable housing; time limits may impact some HUD-assisted older adults

On March 2, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) issued a proposed rule to allow Public Housing Agencies (PHAs) and Multifamily Housing providers to implement work requirements and time limits for specific housing assistance programs. In the proposal, the agency describes new authority for PHAs and owners to require “work-eligible” older adults (ages 18-61, excluding people with disabilities and certain caretakers), to engage in work activities for up to 40 hours per week as a condition of continued eligibility for housing assistance. Work activities include employment, job training, education, community service, childcare, and more. Under the proposal, work requirements could not be a condition for admission into housing programs, and housing providers would need to provide supportive services in conjunction with the new requirements. **New information: The proposed rule will also allow PHAs and Owners to set time limits of as little as two years, excluding non-elderly families (households with a head of household who is elderly, but not excluding households with an older adult who is not the head of household).** Time limits would apply prospectively, meaning they only start after the policy is implemented, and households would be able to reapply for assistance after their time limit ends but must go through the regular waiting list process. The proposed rule states that PHAs and Owners can terminate assistance for non-compliance with work requirements or time limits, but cannot use the requirements as a reason to deny initial occupancy. LeadingAge is deeply concerned with work requirements and time limits impacting residents of HUD-assisted housing, including older adults and members of the aging services workforce who rely on access to stable, affordable housing. We will work with our members to submit comments to HUD within the agency’s 60-day comment period. Read LeadingAge's earlier analysis here, and stay tuned for more information.

Affordable housing Weekly Recap. Here is your weekly Affordable Housing Weekly Recap