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What is Congregate Housing?
Congregate Housing is a type of senior housing that takes many forms. Originally it was a kind of
Assisted Living in a complex of senior apartments with shared daily meals. In the United States, the
term “Congregate Housing” appeared in a 1978 federal law that was intended to provide subsidized
housing-with-services to seniors and the disabled. Some “Congregate Housing” is the most
affordable of senior housing because part of its cost is covered by government agencies and
charitable organizations. Unfortunately though, there has been a shortage of such housing, and a
lack of funding for new projects. Nowadays, the term “Congregate Housing” is being used for
many types of senior communities from Independent Living to various kinds of Assisted Living.
Assisted Living in a complex of senior apartments with shared daily meals. In the United States, the
term “Congregate Housing” appeared in a 1978 federal law that was intended to provide subsidized
housing-with-services to seniors and the disabled. Some “Congregate Housing” is the most
affordable of senior housing because part of its cost is covered by government agencies and
charitable organizations. Unfortunately though, there has been a shortage of such housing, and a
lack of funding for new projects. Nowadays, the term “Congregate Housing” is being used for
many types of senior communities from Independent Living to various kinds of Assisted Living.
Most of these are not subsidized at all, and have many names including:
- Supported Housing
- Life-care homes
- Congregate Retirement Housing
- Congregate Senior Communities
- Residential Care
- Sheltered housing
- Enriched housing
- Single room occupancy housing
Congregate Housing—when it is a form of subsidized housing for low-income seniors—is much
like Board & Care. The connection is that both have payment options based on government
financial aid, in addition to the option to pay privately. Both types of facilities offer shared meals
and some assistance with activities of daily living. This kind of housing has the advantage of
government oversight, so that the consumer can have some measure of quality assurance.
The original form of Congregate Housing differs from Independent Living by providing some
services: meal preparation and housekeeping, and sometimes more. People living in Congregate
Housing units usually do not have their own kitchen. In some complexes, there can be more than
one resident per room, and even the bathroom facilities may be shared. By contrast, the main
“service” of Independent Living is opportunities for social and recreational activities in a community
of seniors, but communal meals and housekeeping—if available—would be options for extra fees.
like Board & Care. The connection is that both have payment options based on government
financial aid, in addition to the option to pay privately. Both types of facilities offer shared meals
and some assistance with activities of daily living. This kind of housing has the advantage of
government oversight, so that the consumer can have some measure of quality assurance.
The original form of Congregate Housing differs from Independent Living by providing some
services: meal preparation and housekeeping, and sometimes more. People living in Congregate
Housing units usually do not have their own kitchen. In some complexes, there can be more than
one resident per room, and even the bathroom facilities may be shared. By contrast, the main
“service” of Independent Living is opportunities for social and recreational activities in a community
of seniors, but communal meals and housekeeping—if available—would be options for extra fees.
Congregate Housing nowadays offers so many kinds of help with activities of daily living, that it
now falls under the “Assisted Living” category. Unlike a Nursing Home, however, congregate
living would not include any major medical care. Typically, Congregate Housing with its apartment
life, also offers a measure of privacy and independence that a Nursing Home
cannot.
Congregate Housing is for seniors who are no longer able or willing to live completely
independently. They may still wish to live in a private senior apartment, but welcome being free of
the responsibilities of grocery shopping, meal preparation and housework. They are capable of
getting to the communal dining area independently. As the average age of residents in retirement
homes or Congregate Housing has increased, these facilities have evolved to offer more and more
services to the frail and needy elderly that prevents having to go to a Nursing Home.
Congregate Housing living spaces are similar to retirement homes and some senior apartments. The
units are all in one building. There is a common area for socializing, a common kitchen facility, and
a dining room for communal meals.
now falls under the “Assisted Living” category. Unlike a Nursing Home, however, congregate
living would not include any major medical care. Typically, Congregate Housing with its apartment
life, also offers a measure of privacy and independence that a Nursing Home
cannot.
Congregate Housing is for seniors who are no longer able or willing to live completely
independently. They may still wish to live in a private senior apartment, but welcome being free of
the responsibilities of grocery shopping, meal preparation and housework. They are capable of
getting to the communal dining area independently. As the average age of residents in retirement
homes or Congregate Housing has increased, these facilities have evolved to offer more and more
services to the frail and needy elderly that prevents having to go to a Nursing Home.
Congregate Housing living spaces are similar to retirement homes and some senior apartments. The
units are all in one building. There is a common area for socializing, a common kitchen facility, and
a dining room for communal meals.
Congregate Housing apartments can be:
- studios
- one-bedroom apartments
- two-bedroom apartments
Congregate Housing usually provides the same basic services as most senior retirement
apartment complexes:
apartment complexes:
- Shared meals
- Housekeeping
- Secure building
- Full-time staff on duty 24 hours a day to assist residents
- Areas within the building for socializing with other residents
- Planned recreational and social activities
Beyond these basic services, Congregate Housing may have these options, often for an
extra fee:
extra fee:
- Laundry service
- Transportation for shopping and doctors' appointments
- Health monitoring
- Help with taking medications
- Assisted daily living
Sometimes such a facility is a good alternative to a nursing home, especially for individuals needing
housing-with-services for a limited time period while recovering from an illness or injury, but who
do not need constant medical care.
The cost for this type of senior housing ranges between $500 per month to over $4,000 per month.
For $500 per month, a senior may get a small one-room apartment with its own bath, and a
roommate; but such low rates aren’t available in all communities. In some instances, subsidized
housing provides more amenities, including a private room. Three meals a day are usually included,
plus activities, and maid service. Many facilities accept seniors who are on SSI (Supplemental
Security Income) and may require that they share an apartment with another senior. Private, non-
subsidized apartments begin at around $1100 per month.
housing-with-services for a limited time period while recovering from an illness or injury, but who
do not need constant medical care.
The cost for this type of senior housing ranges between $500 per month to over $4,000 per month.
For $500 per month, a senior may get a small one-room apartment with its own bath, and a
roommate; but such low rates aren’t available in all communities. In some instances, subsidized
housing provides more amenities, including a private room. Three meals a day are usually included,
plus activities, and maid service. Many facilities accept seniors who are on SSI (Supplemental
Security Income) and may require that they share an apartment with another senior. Private, non-
subsidized apartments begin at around $1100 per month.
Congregate Housing sometimes offers specialized services for individuals with particular limitations, just
like Board & Care homes do. Such facilities may limit their residents to people with:
like Board & Care homes do. Such facilities may limit their residents to people with:
- Alzheimer’s or other dementias
- Psychiatric disorders
- Physical disabilities
- either the purchase price or monthly rent for their apartment
- security and cleaning deposits
- sometimes a buy-in or entry fee into the facility
- monthly fees for any optional services that they enroll in
Most facilities have a rental contract or agreement but many do not require a long-term financial
commitment. Seniors who like the facility, may stay so long as they do not require more assistance
than the facility can provide. If they don't like the facility, they can leave without penalty.
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