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When some seniors are living off a $1,000 Social Security check, and then have to pay $900 for rent each month, retirement is a lot tougher than they thought it was going to be.
These seniors don't have to tap into their savings accounts to pay for rent. Instead, they can turn to subsidized housing.
Villa Vasona, at 626 West Parr Ave. in Los Gatos, is opening its waiting list to eligible seniors after more than three years.
"If you pay rent, you probably qualify," Candy Kelly, manager of Villa Vasona, said.
The income limit for one person is $37,150, and $42,150 for two people; seniors must be at least 62 years old to move in. Kelly also said that applicants could still be eligible if they have assets.
Kelly said often when people think of low-income housing, they have a negative stereotype in mind.
"Villa Vasona is beautiful and people expect them to be the projects," Kelly said.
"Seniors equate low-income housing for the poor. But they're designed for people like me--I raised two kids, I am a single parent and I never bought a house," Kelly said.
Kelly said she has noticed that locals might be uninformed about such programs.
Linda Gallo, coordinator at the Los Gatos Senior Center, said while the resources are out there, subsidized housing does not always appear to be in demand in Los Gatos.
"Many in Los Gatos are lucky enough to be in their own homes, or with families," Gallo said.
Morrey Cort, who has been living in the housing complex for almost 13 years, said she discovered the housing when she was still working and saw an ad.
She lives in a 420-square-foot studio, which also has about a 100-square-foot deck.
Cort, who has a bird and a fish, said she loves her home and thinks Villa Vasona is a great asset for seniors.
Her neighbor, Louisa Beam, has also been living in the facility for close to 13 years.
"I agreed to move here without even seeing the place. I didn't know what I was getting into," she said.
Beam waited for two years before she was able to move in--seniors could be on the waiting list for as long as three years.
Beam said that she, like other seniors, realizes that this will be her last residence. Adding that she is very comfortable there, she said those who might qualify are "silly" if they don't apply.
There are 26 one-bedroom cottages, which are 560 square feet, and 81 studios. All studios and cottages have decks.
Residents will be selected by lottery.
For questions, call Candy Kelly at Villa Vasona Apartments at 408.370.9410.
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