Bucks County has a shortage of affordable senior housing. Bensalem adding to inventory

Construction is now underway on a new affordable housing complex for low-income senior citizens in Bucks County.

Officials celebrated the Federation Housing Inc.'s groundbreaking of the Daniel B. Green House at 4695 Somerton Road in the Trevose section of Bensalem on July 12. This 60-unit development aims to provide low-income seniors with accessible and affordable housing, addressing the region's critical housing shortage, officials said. The community is expected to open in early September 2025.

"The senior population is one of the fastest growing segments of our population in Bucks County," said county Commissioner Bob Harvie."It is a challenge to find affordable housing throughout southeastern Pennsylvania, and we are excited to have this development moving forward. It is a great example of a private-public partnership doing good things in Bucks County."

Funding for the $26 million project came from multiple sources. Federation Housing secured $18 million in state and federal tax credits and other financing from the Pennsylvania Housing Finance Agency. Bucks County provided additional funding, including federal funds from the American Rescue Plan Act and a construction loan from Firstrust Bank.

Federation Housing and private donors, including the Green Family, the Harry and Jeanette Weinberg Foundation, and the Jewish Federation of Greater Philadelphia, contributed the remaining funds.Eric D. Naftulin, executive vice oresident of Federation Housing, emphasized the importance of this project, stating, "The senior population deserves the dignity to age in place, regardless of their financial situation. With the addition of the Daniel B. Green House, we are proud to expand access to affordable, high-quality housing."

Federation Housing will also provide comprehensive social services, accessible van transportation, meal programs, housekeeping services, religious activities, socialization services, and recreational activities a the complex for those 55 and older. The new community will include a room for various activities, a computer lab, a library, and an outdoor walking path for residents to enjoy.

Rent estimates were not available and eligibility will depend on income level and other factors, including household size.

Affordable housing shortage in Bucks County

The affordable housing crisis in Bucks County and the broader Philadelphia region has been intensifying, particularly for the senior population. The 2023 Bucks County Housing Needs Snapshot report by the Housing Alliance of Pennsylvania highlights a severe shortage of affordable homes.

For every 100 extremely low-income individuals in Bucks County, only 31 affordable rental homes are available, according to the report. Furthermore, Bucks County is tied for the highest housing wage in Pennsylvania at $33.40 an hour, making it increasingly difficult for seniors to find affordable housing."In Bucks County, a worker needs to earn $24.96 an hour to afford rent for a modest 2-bedroom home," according to the report."Federation Housing is helping to increase access to affordable housing by developing new communities that can serve seniors in the area who may not otherwise have been able to afford a safe place to live." Corinne Ahrens, account executive for Ceisler Media & Advocacy Group, said. "Federation Housing also ensures that residents of its communities have the services and support from staff to continue living independently in high-quality housing they can afford."The organization has developed and managed 12 senior-living communities, serving over 1,500 residents. However, developing and maintaining affordable housing remains challenging, officials said.

"Federation Housing maintains waiting lists at each of its properties, with hundreds of applicants on each list, demonstrating the staggering need for more affordable places for seniors in the Philadelphia region," Ahrens said. "But these projects take many years to develop, from undertaking zoning and local approvals processes to seeking a wide array of funds, often scarce and competitive. Construction pricing has increased significantly in the last few years, making developments more difficult to assemble".