title: Differential Health and Social Needs of Older Adults Waitlisted for Public Housing or Housing Choice Vouchers.
abstract: Affordable housing is an important form of income security for low-income older persons. This article describes characteristics of older persons waitlisted for either public housing or a housing choice voucher (HCV; previously Section 8) in Portland, Oregon. 358 persons (32% response rate) completed a mailed survey with questions about demographics, health and housing status, food insecurity, and preference for housing with services. Findings indicate that many waitlisted older persons experienced homelessness or housing instability, poor health, high hospital use, and food insecurity. Public housing applicants were significantly more likely to report lower incomes, homelessness, and food insecurity than HCV applicants. We conclude with policy implications for housing and health agencies that serve low-income older persons.
authors.affiliation: a Associate Professor, Institute on Aging , Portland State University , Portland , Oregon , USA.
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Carder
authors.affiliation: b Doctoral Student, Institute on Aging , Portland State University , Portland , Oregon , USA.
authors.forename: Gretchen
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Luhr
authors.affiliation: c Senior Research Assistant, Institute on Aging , Portland State University , Portland , Oregon , USA.
authors.forename: Jacklyn
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Kohon
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005523:Food Supply; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009922:Oregon; D011203:Poverty / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D011638:Public Housing; D012940:Social Problems; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014850:Waiting Lists
keywords: Elderly; health status; housing policy; poverty; waiting list