Housing Assistance for Seniors in Georgia

Last Updated on January 7, 2024 by Rachel

Is housing in Georgia affordable for retirees? What is the population of seniors above 50 in this state? The median age of Georgia is 36.8, ranking it as the 10th youngest state in the country. Georgia has the fourth smallest percentage of residents aged 50 years and above. In the year 2010-2018, the median age shot up by 4%, a figure higher than the USA’s of 2.7%.


The percentage of the population above 50 years is 32.5%, compared to the U.S. average is of 35.30%. The life expectancy in Georgia is 77, while the country’s average is 78.5.

The median household income for seniors above 65 is $41,436, compared to the U.S. average of $43,735. The population of seniors above 55 years still in the labor force is $30.4%, compared to the U.S. average of 40.80%.

The cost of living in Georgia is relatively lower than the national average. The housing index is 93.20 out of 100. A one-bedroom apartment costs $716 per month on average, compared to the national average of $825. A two-bedroom apartment costs an average of $849 per month, while the national average for a similar property is roughly $1,027 per month.

Home healthcare cost is reasonable in Georgia with a median cost of $3,623 a month. Seniors stay independently, while receiving service that help them run their daily duties. Adult daycare costs an average of $1,300 a month for seniors who require monitoring during the day. However, adult daycare is only suitable for independent seniors, since they don’t offer nursing care.

Assisted living is available for the elderly who require personal care and health services. The average monthly cost is $2,800. The monthly cost of a semi-private and private room in a nursing home in Georgia is around $6,222 and $6,707 respectively. Personal care, medication, housing, monitoring, treatment, and rehabilitation are included in nursing care.

Memory care facilities in Georgia are for seniors suffering from Alzheimer’s, dementia, or any memory ailments. The median monthly cost ranges between $1,232 to $11,527. Price differs according to location.

Hospice facilities are for seniors with terminal illnesses. The good thing about hospice is it is covered by medical insurances like Medicaid and Medicare as well private insurance covers. The staff offer pain management through medication, chaplain services, and counseling.

Respite care facilities offer relief to caregivers and families taking care of the elderly. The stay might be long-term or short-term, depending on the family’s preference. The yearly average cost of respite care is $65,700.

Senior Living Options in Georgia

There are several senior living options in Georgia, including:

  1. Independent living communities: These communities are designed for active seniors who can live independently but want to downsize to a more manageable home. They typically offer amenities such as social activities, transportation, and maintenance services.
  2. Assisted living facilities: Assisted living facilities help seniors with activities of daily living, such as bathing, dressing, and medication management. They may also offer amenities such as meals, housekeeping, and transportation.
  3. Memory care facilities: These facilities are designed for seniors with Alzheimer’s disease or other forms of dementia. They provide specialized care and security to help keep seniors safe and engaged.
  4. Nursing homes: Nursing homes provide 24-hour medical care and supervision for seniors who require more advanced care due to serious health issues or disabilities.
  5. Senior apartments: Senior apartments are affordable housing options for seniors with low to moderate incomes. They typically offer amenities such as social activities and transportation but do not provide medical care.
  6. Respite care: Respite care provides temporary care for seniors who need short-term assistance, either in a facility or at home. This can be a helpful option for family caregivers who need a break or for seniors who are recovering from an illness or injury.
  7. Hospice care: Hospice care provides end-of-life care for seniors who are terminally ill. It focuses on comfort and quality of life rather than curative treatments.

State Housing Assistance

Georgia Department of Community Affairs: The Georgia Department of Community Affairs (DCA) offers a variety of programs and services related to affordable housing, including rental assistance, homebuyer assistance, and foreclosure prevention.

Georgia Housing and Finance Authority: The Georgia Housing and Finance Authority (GHFA) provides financing and assistance for affordable housing initiatives throughout the state. This includes programs for homebuyers, renters, and developers.

Georgia Department of Behavioral Health and Developmental Disabilities: This department provides housing assistance for individuals with mental health and developmental disabilities. Services include supportive housing, rental assistance, and homeownership programs.

Georgia Department of Veterans Service: The Georgia Department of Veterans Service provides housing assistance for veterans, including rental assistance, homebuyer assistance, and assistance with home modifications for disabled veterans.

Georgia Department of Human Services: The Georgia Department of Human Services provides a variety of services to help low-income families and individuals, including housing assistance programs such as rental assistance, homebuyer assistance, and weatherization assistance.

Rent Assistance for the Elderly in Georgia

  1. Georgia Rental Assistance Program: This program, administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, provides financial assistance to renters who have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible households can receive up to 12 months of rental assistance, including past-due rent and future rent payments.
  2. Housing Choice Voucher Program: Also known as Section 8, this federal program provides rental assistance to low-income households. Eligible households receive a voucher that can be used to help pay for rent in privately-owned rental units.
  3. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): While LIHEAP is primarily focused on assisting with home heating and cooling costs, it may also provide some limited assistance with rent payments for eligible low-income households.
  4. Elderly and Disabled Rental Assistance Program: This program, administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, provides rental assistance to low-income elderly and disabled individuals. Eligible households can receive up to $60 per month to help pay for rent.
  5. Georgia Rental Assistance Program: This program, administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, provides financial assistance to renters who have experienced financial hardship due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Eligible households can receive up to 12 months of rental assistance, including past-due rent and future rent payments.
  6. Housing Choice Voucher Program: Also known as Section 8, this federal program provides rental assistance to low-income households. Eligible households receive a voucher that can be used to help pay for rent in privately-owned rental units.
  7. Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP): While LIHEAP is primarily focused on assisting with home heating and cooling costs, it may also provide some limited assistance with rent payments for eligible low-income households.
  8. Elderly and Disabled Rental Assistance Program: This program, administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, provides rental assistance to low-income elderly and disabled individuals. Eligible households can receive up to $60 per month to help pay for rent.

Home Repair Grants in Georgia

  • Georgia Homeowner Repair Assistance: This program, administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, provides grants to low-income homeowners for repairs and improvements related to health and safety, accessibility, energy efficiency, and more. Eligible homeowners can receive up to $7,500 in grant funding.
  • USDA Rural Development Home Repair Loans and Grants: This federal program provides funding to eligible low-income homeowners in rural areas to help with home repairs and improvements. Eligible homeowners can receive up to $7,500 in grant funding.
  • Community Home Investment Program: This program, administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, provides funding to local governments and nonprofit organizations to assist with affordable housing initiatives. This may include home repair grants for eligible low-income homeowners.
  • Weatherization Assistance Program: This program, administered by the Georgia Environmental Finance Authority, provides funding for energy efficiency upgrades to eligible low-income homeowners. This may include home repairs related to insulation, heating and cooling systems, and more.
  • Atlanta Home Repair Assistance: This program, administered by the City of Atlanta, provides grants and low-interest loans to eligible low-income homeowners for repairs related to health and safety, accessibility, and more. Eligible homeowners can receive up to $10,000 in grant funding.
  • Veterans Affairs Home Improvement and Structural Alteration Grant: This federal program provides grants to eligible veterans with service-connected disabilities for home modifications that are necessary for the continuation of treatment or disability access to the home. Eligible veterans can receive up to $6,800 in grant funding.
  • Home Repairs Assistance Program: This program, administered by the Fulton County Housing and Community Development Department, provides grants to eligible low-income homeowners in Fulton County for home repairs related to health and safety, accessibility, and more. Eligible homeowners can receive up to $7,500 in grant funding.
  • Macon-Bibb County Home Rehabilitation Program: This program, administered by the Macon-Bibb County Urban Development Authority, provides grants and low-interest loans to eligible low-income homeowners in Macon-Bibb County for repairs related to health and safety, accessibility, and more. Eligible homeowners can receive up to $10,000 in grant funding.

Low-Interest Loans for Housing for Seniors

  1. HomeSafe Georgia: This program, administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, provides low-interest loans to eligible homeowners who are struggling to make their mortgage payments due to temporary financial hardship.
  2. Federal Housing Administration (FHA) Loans: FHA loans are a type of mortgage that is insured by the federal government, which allows lenders to offer lower interest rates to borrowers. Seniors who are interested in purchasing a home may be able to qualify for an FHA loan if they meet the eligibility requirements.
  3. USDA Rural Development Single Family Housing Direct Loan Program: This program provides low-interest loans to eligible low- and very-low-income individuals and families in rural areas to purchase or repair a home.
  4. Georgia Dream Homeownership Program: This program, administered by the Georgia Department of Community Affairs, provides low-interest loans to eligible individuals and families to purchase a home. The program also offers down payment assistance and homebuyer education.
  5. Georgia Department of Veterans Service Home Loan Program: This program provides low-interest loans to eligible veterans, including seniors, for the purchase or construction of a home.
  6. Reverse Mortgage: This is a type of loan available to seniors aged 62 or older who own their home outright or have a significant amount of equity in their home. With a reverse mortgage, the lender makes payments to the borrower rather than the other way around. The loan is paid back when the borrower sells the home or passes away.
  7. Georgia Department of Community Affairs Housing Tax Credit Program: This program provides tax credits to developers of affordable housing for seniors and other eligible populations. This may include low-interest loans for the construction or renovation of affordable housing properties.

Legal assistance for Eviction

Seniors who are facing eviction in Georgia may be eligible for legal assistance through several programs, including:

  1. Georgia Legal Services Program: This organization provides free legal assistance to eligible low-income individuals, including seniors, in civil cases, including eviction. They have multiple offices throughout the state.
  2. Atlanta Legal Aid Society: This nonprofit organization provides free legal assistance to eligible low-income individuals, including seniors, in civil cases, including eviction. They have multiple offices throughout the metro Atlanta area.
  3. State Bar of Georgia Lawyer Referral Service: This service can connect seniors with an attorney in their area who specializes in landlord-tenant law, including eviction.
  4. Senior Citizens Law Project: This program, administered by the Atlanta Legal Aid Society, provides legal assistance to seniors in civil cases, including eviction. They have a special focus on helping seniors maintain their housing.
  5. Pro Bono Partnership of Atlanta: This organization connects eligible nonprofits, including those that provide services to seniors, with volunteer attorneys who can provide free legal assistance, including in landlord-tenant cases.
  6. Legal Aid Organizations: Several legal aid organizations throughout Georgia provide free or low-cost legal assistance to eligible low-income individuals, including seniors, in a variety of civil cases, including eviction. Examples of these organizations include the Brunswick-Glynn County Joint Water and Sewer Commission Legal Aid, the Columbus Regional Health Legal Aid, and the Northeast Georgia Regional Commission Legal Aid.
  7. Volunteer Lawyers Program: This program, administered by the State Bar of Georgia, connects eligible low-income individuals, including seniors, with volunteer attorneys who can provide free legal assistance in civil cases, including eviction.
  8. Fair Housing Organizations: Several fair housing organizations throughout Georgia provide free legal assistance and advocacy to individuals who believe they have experienced housing discrimination. Seniors who are facing eviction due to discrimination may be eligible for assistance from these organizations.

If you need more information and details, you can visit the Division of Aging Services | Georgia Department of Human Services.