Such apartments may have special features or services for older residents, or may be exactly like any other apartment building except for the age restriction. These apartments may be in public housing or other subsidized housing, or they may be private pay. Congregate housing is a type of elderly apartments where supportive services are available, including the opportunity for residents to have at least one meal a day in a central dining area. Ideally, services are tailored to the individual's needs including recreational and social activities, special diets, housekeeping, laundry and transportation. Such housing may be subsidized or private pay.
Public housing are federally-supported housing units operated by local public housing authorities.
Families or individuals pay 30 percent of their incomes in rent. Units may or may not be specifically designated elderly apartments. Subsidized housing includes a group of housing programs for low-income people. In many, residents pay 30 percent of their adjusted income for rent. Others charge the same rent for all units of the same size, but rents are lower than that in comparable private housing.