Anybody Home? Local Senior Housing Solves Unique Challenges with Creative Solutions

By Bette Erickson

Many take for granted that they will have secure housing during life’s later years, but some aren’t so fortunate.

“Housing for seniors here in Broomfield is unfortunately unstable,” explained Teryl Fabry, executive director of Senior Resources of Broomfield.

“The future for many seniors relies on having affordable housing so they can stay in the home they’ve lived in for years, and if they can’t afford their home anymore, they would still like to stay in the area to be close to friends, family, and the network they’ve been accustomed to,” she said. “Broomfield housing needs to remain affordable for them to be able to do this.”

Fabry

At a December meeting, the Broomfield City Council unanimously approved a request for funding from the Broomfield Housing Alliance. A grant was given to BHA totaling $400,000 to support the organization through 2025. The Alliance focuses on affordable housing and reducing housing insecurity in the county. The BHA works towards a variety of housing solutions including eviction prevention and rental assistance.

“We need creative solutions to housing needs given that recent studies conclude that older adults are the fastest group slipping into homelessness,” former Broomfield resident Debra Meyer said.

So, how is Broomfield grappling with housing issues specifically related to older adults? Here’s a snapshot of some information from www.broomfield.org:

Senior Sunshine Home Sharing Program

Through the Sunshine Home Share Colorado Program, homeowners 55+ who have extra space in their home have the opportunity to generate income and receive assistance with basic household chores while providing someone with affordable rent. The City and County of Broomfield is partnering with Sunshine Home Share Colorado to create a unique approach to affordable housing and companionship with seniors.

Qualifications and benefits: Home providers must be 55 or older and their home must be their primary residence. Home seekers can be of all ages. The home seeker’s income level must be sufficient to pay the home provider’s rent and be responsible for their own living expenses.

Increased security with interviews and background checks will be conducted.

If desired, the home provider could request a roommate who would provide three to five hours of help a week with household chores and provide a small stipend to the roommate in exchange for the chores.

Visit www.broomfield.org/1445/Housing-Programs#sunshinehome. If you have questions with the Senior Sunshine Home Sharing program, email micaela@sunshinehomeshare.org or call 720-226-2692.

Broomfield Housing Division

There’s a variety of useful information online offered by the Broomfield Housing Division. If you are unable to locate the information you need, email housingdivision@ broomfield.org with your inquiry.

Housing Vouchers (Section 8 Housing) Information

Funded by the U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development (HUD), Section 8, or the Housing Choice Voucher Program, is an assistance program for low-income families, the elderly, and the disabled so they can afford safe and sanitary low-income apartments. The program subsidizes rent through housing vouchers paid directly to the renter's landlord with the renter paying the difference between the full rent and the amount paid by the voucher.

Broomfield vouchers are managed by the state of Colorado and administered by the Broomfield Housing Alliance (BHA).

Broomfield does not own, operate or manage any assisted housing units of its own. Section 8 may only be applied for through municipalities with an open waitlist.

For more information on Section 8 in the City and County of Broomfield, please contact Adrianna Choury at the Broomfield Housing Alliance (BHA) via email at vouchers@broomfield housingalliance.org or call 720-902-6404.

More information about municipalities with an open waitlist may be obtained from Mile High United Way. If you are in Colorado, you may dial 2-1-1 directly. Mile High United Way provides many resources and works with several counties across Denver. You will want to ask them specifically which Housing Authorities have open waitlists or visit Section 8 Waiting Lists in Colorado.

Fabry said, “The increased cost of living, combined with the availability of housing inventory for older adults, is pushing seniors out of Broomfield. We need housing programs to support our seniors.”

Bette Erickson serves on the SRB Board of Directors and writes about people, places, and events. Contact her at bette_erickson@hotmail.com.