SPOKANE, Wash. – Throughout Spokane and the United States, rising housing costs and unexpected life events are forcing more seniors into poverty and homelessness, and income streams like Social Security might not be able to cut it for many elderly people.
The elderly are the fastest growing age group experiencing homelessness in America, with the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) reporting back in 2023 that nearly one in four people experiencing homelessness were over the age of 55.
“When I started out where I live, I started out at $837 a month. And have had 3 increases that now I’m at $1,083… And I’m paying over 75% of my income to rent,” Rebecca Mantei, a senior renting a one-bedroom apartment in North Spokane, said.
She told NonStop Local that she is one rent increase away from homelessness. Adding that numerous people in her building have had to move out.
“There’s been more than a half dozen people that have had to move out of our building because they can’t afford to live there. They just don’t have enough money coming in to cover their rent and then their bills,” Mantei said.
Her primary source of income every month is Social Security.
In 2025, Social Security payments are set to increase by 2.5%.
Currently, Mantei earns approximately $1,424/month with Social Security.
Multiply her monthly income with 0.025 and that’s a mere $35.60 increase in 2025.
The president of Mantei’s apartment complex’s tenants union, Rita Gunstrom, told NonStop Local that this increase is not nearly enough to help seniors.
“For people who are 60-plus years old, the streets really are not an option. So what are the answers? I just, I just don’t know,” Gunstrom said.
The Spokane Neighborhood Action Partners (SNAP) told NonStop Local that there are some options for seniors going through housing insecurity.
“Here at SNAP we have the STEP program, which is the Singles Targeted Eviction Program, and we have been seeing an uptick in calls from elderly folks who can’t afford rent anymore. They’ve gotten a rent increase and they’re on a fixed income. And they just can’t afford the payment anymore,” Chelsey Dunham, a coordinator at SNAP, said.
People can apply for the STEP program. However, it is only open periodically.
SNAP expects it to reopen again in mid-December.
Dunham added that there really is no solution at this point for seniors in Mantei’s predicament.
“They could talk to their landlord and and see if there’s any options of maybe holding off on that rent increase, or if they have room they could try to get a roommate. But, unfortunately, there isn’t really that many resources,” Dunham said.
Mantei has taken steps to improve her situation, including applying to the Spokane Housing Authority’s (SHA) housing voucher program.
The voucher program has been on pause with new vouchers being suspended due to budget concerns.
However, Mantei was able to get on the waiting list for a housing voucher.
“I got on the list the first day it opened, which was July 30th. It was open a very short time. And I started at 3,593 and I’ve dropped down to 3,650. So, I have no clue whether or not I’ll even get a voucher,” Mantei said.
She’s also applied to an affordable housing apartment complex in Spokane, however, she’s on a waitlist for four to five years.
“I got Christmas coming up and I’m not gonna be able to get my kids or grandkids anything for Christmas because I’m not gonna have enough money. And I feel bad. ‘Cause I’d love to spoil ’em all rotten,” Mantei said.
Housing Choice Vouchers
Since October 1, SHA has been under a freeze, imposed by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD), issuing most types of tenant-based vouchers.
SHA told NonStop Local that the vouchers currently activated in the Spokane-area (nearly 6,000 vouchers) are getting more expensive on average, in addition to rapidly increasing rents.
The freeze does not impact existing contracts for project-based vouchers of “VASH” vouchers for veterans.
SHA opened the primary Housing Choice Voucher waiting list over the summer. They received over 5,000 waiting list applications, which represents about 11,000 people.
At this time, it is unclear when the freeze will be lifted. Due to the pause, SHA is unable to issue new vouchers to those on the waiting list. They encourage anyone on the list to keep their information up-to-date and remain on the list.
Resources
SNAP Affordable HousingSNAP Energy AssistanceSNAP Singles Targeting Eviction ProgramSHA Housing Choice VouchersSHA ProgramsResource Center of Spokane County – HousingDSHS “Basic Food”Hunger Free Washington – Apply for SNAP
