Finding the right senior housing can feel overwhelming, especially when budget constraints are a factor. Fortunately, Texas offers various affordable living arrangements for older adults, from vibrant 55+ communities and independent living options to nursing homes and continuing care retirement communities (CCRCs). We’ve compiled this guide to the 12 most affordable senior housing options in Texas to help you easily navigate this important decision.
Senior Apartments
Senior apartments offer an affordable path to age-restricted living across Texas, combining independence with community connections. These rental properties specifically cater to older adults seeking low-maintenance lifestyles without the comprehensive services found in other senior housing options.
Senior Apartments Description
Senior apartments are age-restricted apartment complexes often featuring age-in-place designs that better serve their demographic. Unlike other senior housing options, these communities primarily focus on providing comfortable, maintenance-free living rather than extensive healthcare services. Throughout Texas, there are currently 534 senior living apartments available in Dallas alone, with thousands more scattered across the state. These communities typically operate as rental properties, making them accessible options for seniors looking to downsize from larger homes without purchasing new property.
Senior Apartments Amenities
Most senior apartment communities provide residents with numerous conveniences and social opportunities:
- Beauty salons and barber services
- Gardens and walking paths
- Libraries and community rooms
- Planned outings and shopping excursions
- Worship services for multiple denominations
- Regular social gatherings and recreational events
Additionally, many communities include housekeeping services, laundry accommodations, and scheduled transportation to medical appointments. These amenities create environments where residents can easily connect with peers while maintaining their independence.
Senior Apartments Pricing
The cost of senior apartments varies considerably throughout Texas. In Dallas, the average monthly rent is approximately $1,418, with prices ranging from $1,272 to $2,444. Meanwhile, statewide costs for independent senior living options typically fall between $1,500 and $6,000 monthly. Housing affordability programs, including HUD Section 202 and Low-Income Housing Tax Credits (LIHTC), help make many senior apartments accessible for those with limited budgets. Under LIHTC properties, residents typically pay their own rent but must meet income verification requirements.
Senior Apartments Eligibility
Most senior apartments maintain minimum age requirements, commonly starting at either 55 or 62 years old. For affordable housing programs, residents must meet additional criteria. HUD-subsidized communities typically require applicants to be 62 years or older and have gross annual income below established HUD limits. LIHTC properties generally require residents to have incomes at 60% of the area median income, though limits may range from 30% to 80%. Furthermore, many communities conduct background checks to ensure prospective residents have no recent evictions from subsidized housing and no criminal history that would disqualify them.
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs)
Continuing Care Retirement Communities (CCRCs) represent a unique concept in senior housing that combines multiple care levels in one campus. Currently, Texas has 54 CCRC communities, with 9 rated as best based on resident and family satisfaction.
CCRCs Description
CCRCs, sometimes called life care communities, offer a full continuum of care that adapts to changing needs. These communities typically include independent living, assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care—all within the same campus. Primarily designed for seniors who want to age in place, CCRCs allow residents to remain in the same community as their healthcare needs evolve. Most Texas residents choose CCRCs after selling their homes when everyday chores become difficult to manage. Housing options vary from apartments to condominiums, townhouses, cottages, and villas. Furthermore, most communities are pet-friendly.
CCRCs Amenities
Texas CCRCs offer comprehensive amenities such as:
- Fine-dining restaurants and cafes
- Learning centers and art studios
- Swimming pools, tennis courts, and golf courses
- Hiking trails and gardening areas
- Weekly worship services
- Social events and clubs
Healthcare amenities include rehabilitation services, speech therapy, and occupational therapy. Overall, these communities provide both lifestyle enhancements and essential care services.
CCRCs Pricing
Entry fees in Texas range from $130,000 to $500,000, covering housing costs, services, and amenities. Life care contracts typically have higher entrance fees as they provide guaranteed healthcare. Monthly fees vary between $2,045 and $4,804, with Dallas and Austin being the most expensive locations, while Fort Worth has lower fees. The 2025 median entry fee nationally is approximately $129,298.
CCRCs Eligibility
Essentially, residents must be financially independent with sufficient funds to cover entrance and monthly fees. Most communities require assets and savings that are two to four times the entrance fee. Age requirements typically start at 62, yet some accept residents as young as 55. Prospective residents must generally be in good health with no chronic conditions. Importantly, 97% of entry-fee CCRCs in Texas are not-for-profit organizations.
HUD Section 202 Housing
The Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program remains the federal government’s primary affordable housing initiative specifically designed for low-income seniors. This distinctive program provides subsidized housing with additional supportive services to help older adults maintain independence.
HUD Section 202 Description
Section 202 housing expands affordable living options through capital advances and Project Rental Assistance Contracts (PRACs). Unlike other senior housing types, Section 202 is exclusively built and operated by nonprofit organizations. Currently, approximately 263,000 households reside in over 6,000 Section 202 facilities nationwide. In Texas, properties like Casa Trevino in Dallas exemplify this housing model, offering studios and one-bedroom apartments. Effectively, these communities create independent living environments connected to supportive services.
HUD Section 202 Amenities
Section 202 properties typically offer various supportive services:
- Community spaces for social and recreational activities (available in 90.2% of projects)
- Congregate dining areas
- Adaptability features including grab rails (73.9%) and ramps/level entrances (91.1%)
- Wheelchair-accessible units (43% in newer projects)
- Transportation services
- Housekeeping assistance
- Service coordinators who connect residents with community resources
Similarly, newer properties must meet minimum energy efficiency and climate resiliency requirements.
HUD Section 202 Pricing
Financially, residents pay approximately 30% of their adjusted monthly income toward rent. The average annual household income for Section 202 tenants is remarkably low—only about $15,000 as of 2024. Subsequently, the government subsidizes the remainder of operating costs through project-based rental assistance. In comparison to market-rate senior housing, this makes Section 202 among the most affordable senior living options in Texas.
HUD Section 202 Eligibility
To qualify for Section 202 housing, applicants must:
- Be at least 62 years old
- Have household income meeting HUD’s Low Income or Very Low-Income criteria
- Provide detailed household member information
- Pass background checks and credit reports
Primarily, preference goes to those paying over 50% of income for rent, facing displacement from current residences, or living in substandard housing. The application process occurs at individual properties rather than through a centralized system.
Public Housing for Seniors
Public housing programs across Texas offer government-subsidized rental units for eligible seniors, creating stable housing opportunities for those with limited resources. These properties serve as crucial safety nets in the affordable housing landscape, primarily for elderly residents unable to afford market-rate accommodations.
Public Housing Description
Public housing encompasses affordable rental properties owned and managed by local Public Housing Authorities (PHAs) with federal aid from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). These accommodations range from scattered single-family houses to high-rise apartments specifically designed for elderly residents. Currently, approximately 970,000 households nationwide live in public housing units managed by roughly 3,300 housing authorities. In Texas, the Dallas Housing Authority alone operates 31 properties with approximately 5,000 units throughout North Texas, including communities specifically designed for seniors.
Public Housing Amenities
Many senior-designated public housing properties offer valuable amenities such as:
- Access to beauty salons and gardens
- Libraries and laundry accommodations
- Multipurpose rooms for social gatherings
- Planned outings and shopping excursions
- Worship services for various denominations
Additionally, some properties feature security gates, covered parking, social activities, and on-campus food banks. Certain communities even provide employment training opportunities alongside support programs designed specifically for elderly residents.
Public Housing Pricing
Residents in public housing typically pay 30% of their monthly adjusted income toward rent. The exact payment formula—called Total Tenant Payment (TTP)—is calculated as the highest of: 30% of monthly adjusted income, 10% of monthly income, welfare rent if applicable, or a minimum rent of $25-50 set by the PHA. In some properties, utilities are included (“all bills paid”), whereas others provide utility allowances based on HUD formulas. Most properties require security deposits upon signing a lease.
Public Housing Eligibility
Eligibility depends primarily on three factors: annual gross income, qualification as elderly/disabled/family, and U.S. citizenship or eligible immigration status. Income limits vary by location, with lower income limits set at 80% and very low-income limits at 50% of the area median income. In Dallas, the 2025 extremely low income limit (30% AMI) for a single person is $23,200, while the very low income limit (50% AMI) is $38,650. Wait lists for public housing often remain quite lengthy, occasionally opening temporarily for new applicants.
Boarding Homes
Boarding homes represent one of the least regulated yet potentially affordable senior housing options available throughout Texas. These facilities primarily serve vulnerable populations by providing basic accommodation and limited services in a shared living environment.
Boarding Homes Description
Texas defines boarding homes as establishments that furnish lodging to three or more elderly or disabled persons unrelated to the owner. Unlike assisted living facilities, boarding homes offer basic services including community meals, light housework, transportation, grocery shopping, and assistance with self-administering medication, yet do not provide personal care services. The state allows counties and municipalities to regulate these facilities through a permitting process. Ultimately, boarding homes fill a gap between independent living and assisted living, offering modest accommodations for those who need minimal assistance.
Boarding Homes Amenities
Boarding home services typically include:
- Community meals or food preparation assistance
- Light housekeeping and laundry services
- Transportation to appointments and shopping
- Money management assistance
- Medication reminders
Beyond basic amenities, many boarding homes offer separate beds equipped with supportive springs and clean mattresses for each resident. Certain facilities provide additional services like basic medical transportation, weekly grocery visits, and limited medication administration assistance. In accordance with state standards, boarding homes must maintain proper sanitary conditions, including insect and rodent control, appropriate water supply, and sewage disposal.
Boarding Homes Pricing
Monthly costs for boarding homes in Texas often range from $500 to $700. Most facilities include utilities in this price, with some offering “all bills paid” arrangements that cover phone service, internet, and cable. Certain homes provide three daily meals within their base pricing, whereas others charge extra for food. For seniors on fixed incomes, boarding homes frequently present the most economical option among residential care facilities.
Boarding Homes Eligibility
To qualify for boarding home residency, individuals must be elderly (as defined by Section 48.002, Human Resources Code) or have a disability. Residents must be capable of self-administering medication or require only minimal assistance. Furthermore, many facilities prefer residents who receive Social Security, SSI, or have employment. The application process often involves criminal background checks for safety purposes.
Shared Housing Programs
Shared housing programs match homeowners who have extra space with seniors seeking affordable living arrangements, creating mutually beneficial partnerships. Throughout Texas, organizations facilitate these arrangements to help combat isolation while providing economical housing solutions.
Shared Housing Description
Shared housing refers to arrangements where seniors share residences with others to reduce costs and gain companionship. These programs primarily match homeowners who have more housing than needed with individuals seeking affordable living options. The Shared Housing Center in Dallas County, established in 1984, has been connecting home providers with home seekers for decades. Typically, home providers are female seniors who have outlived their spouses and seek roommates who can contribute financially while providing companionship and assistance with household chores. Home seekers often include students, recently divorced individuals, low-income families, and those fleeing difficult situations.
Shared Housing Amenities
Services offered through shared housing programs include:
- Private bedrooms within a shared residence
- Access to kitchen and common living areas
- Transportation assistance for errands and appointments
- Companionship and social engagement
- Assistance with light housekeeping
Furthermore, organizations like the Shared Housing Center provide extensive support including housing option counseling, reference checking, home inspections, facilitation of introductions between potential homesharers, and follow-up assistance.
Shared Housing Pricing
In Dallas County, shared housing arrangements typically involve modest rent payments or contributions toward utilities. The Homeshare CARE program even offers rental stipends for up to 12 months. Many participants find this arrangement financially advantageous—homeowners receive help with mortgage payments, utilities, and home maintenance, ultimately allowing them to age in place despite limited incomes.
Shared Housing Eligibility
To participate in shared housing programs, applicants must meet certain criteria. For programs through the Shared Housing Center, home providers must reside in Dallas County and offer a private bedroom, whereas home seekers must be interested in living in Dallas County. All applicants must be at least 21 years old. Programs conduct thorough screening processes including criminal background checks and reference verification.
Conclusion
Navigating senior housing requires careful consideration of individual needs, budget, and desired amenities. Texas offers diverse options from active 55+ communities and independent living, to specialized care in assisted living and memory care facilities, catering to various levels of independence and financial resources.
Affordability remains essential, and Texas provides numerous assistance programs for veterans, low-income seniors, and those needing specialized care. Public housing, HUD Section 202 properties, and shared or veteran-specific accommodations help seniors access comfortable, budget-friendly living.
Ultimately, finding the ideal senior housing balances affordability, comfort, and care requirements. Visiting multiple communities, talking with residents, and reviewing contracts thoroughly ensures informed choices, allowing seniors to enjoy their golden years with dignity, independence, and appropriate support.