Senior Living Apartments in Houston, TX

Seniors typically combine personal resources to fund senior apartment costs, much like that of rent on regular apartments.

However, if you’re planning for future care needs like in-home care or a move to an assisted living facility, Medicaid or Medicare may help cover some of those related care costs.

Senior living apartments in Houston typically have an age requirement. The minimum age is normally 55, with some apartments raising that requirement to 62.  You’ll also find senior living apartments based on income in Houston, Texas. These income requirements are in place to offer affordable options to Houston’s low-income seniors.

Most Texas senior apartments don’t have any special licensing or inspection requirements. For the most part, the licensing and inspection requirements of senior apartments reflect Texas housing laws, such as the Texas Property Code and Fair Housing Act. The purpose of these laws is to ensure apartment residents in Texas are not discriminated against and that they are provided safe, well-maintained housing.

HUD-subsidized senior apartments

Senior apartments subsidized and certified by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (also known as HUD) must be additionally inspected by the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs. These inspections help to confirm whether housing is decent, safe, sanitary, and in good repair.^[04] Inspections are performed based on each apartment complex’s prior inspection score. Scores are out of 100, and scores above 90 result in inspections every three years, while scores below 80 result in yearly inspections.^[05]

Accommodations and modifications for disabled seniors

Federal non-discrimination laws, such as the Fair Housing Act, Section 504, and Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), prohibit housing providers from refusing residency to individuals with disabilities. Furthermore, these laws require housing providers to implement reasonable accommodations and modifications in housing, programs, and activities for all tenants with disabilities.^[06]

Note that accommodations are changes in the way things are done, while modifications are changes to a senior’s apartment. Below, you’ll find examples of both.

Examples of apartment accommodations:

• Assigning a parking spot for easy entry to the apartment building
• Allowing a service animal to reside with a tenant even if there’s a no-pets policy in place
• Changing the due date of rent to reflect disability income payment dates

Examples of apartment modifications:

• Installing grab bars in a tenant’s apartment
• Widening doorways to provide easy wheelchair access
• Lowering the height of kitchen cabinets to accommodate a wheelchair user

These non-discrimination laws directly apply to senior apartment providers in Houston. Senior apartment property owners are required to pay for such modifications unless providing them would pose an undue financial burden or fundamental change to their programming. For more information, see this infographic on reasonable accommodations and modifications.

COVID-19 regulations for Houston senior apartments

The city of Houston doesn’t have any COVID-19 regulations specific to senior apartments. However, the county’s public health department does provide COVID-19 updates and general information regarding testing, vaccination, and more.

Houston is home to over 874,000 families, and this number is constantly growing, adding to Houston’s senior population.^[07] Luckily, seniors can choose from many senior apartments throughout the city to find their ideal home near loved ones. Check out what senior living apartments in Houston have to offer below.

Apartments with a variety of floor plans

Houston senior apartments accommodate the living preferences of their diverse senior population by offering a multitude of floor plans. Seniors can choose from cozy one-bedroom to spacious three-bedroom apartments. Most apartments are equipped with full kitchens and in-unit washers and dryers. Some also have a personal patio or balcony and walk-in closets, enabling seniors to maximize their space.

Amenities and activities to help seniors stay active

Some senior apartments in Houston host events in their clubhouse so seniors can get out and mingle. Some common clubhouse events include movie nights, game nights, holiday parties, picnics, and more. Many senior apartments also offer on-site amenities like fitness centers, libraries or business centers, and pools, which residents can use at their leisure.

Apartments built to help seniors lead safe lives

Many senior apartments are built with aging in mind and provide supportive features throughout common areas and individual units. Helpful features include accessible entrances and doorways, reachable light switches and cupboards, grab bars in bathrooms, and more. Some apartment buildings also have elevators, emergency call systems, and ramps to help with the safety of seniors with mobility needs.

Health care for seniors in Houston

Houston’s wealth of health care options is what often attracts seniors in Texas. The city is home to two nationally ranked hospitals and several VA clinics for veterans. See information on Houston’s top hospitals below.

Transportation for seniors in Houston

Houston spans roughly 640 square miles, making it difficult to easily get around without a car. However, the city does offer public transportation options, METRO being the most popular one. It offers buses, rails, and paratransit services throughout Harris County. The county also offers RIDES to residents who are 65+ and/or have disabilities and cannot access METRO services.

For active seniors, the following scores from WalkScore may be helpful. They’re each out of 100 and based on Houston’s public density, walking routes, public transit options, biking trails, and more: ^[09]