Page 16 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – FRiDAy, AugusT 1, 2025 Say nr Sa a y Senior Seni by Jim Miller How to Find Affordable Senior Housing Near You Dear Savvy Senior, Are there any resources that you know of that can help seniors locate aff ordable housings? My sister, who’s 65 years old, needs to find a different place to live but has very little money. What can you tell me? Searching Sister Dear Searching, Finding affordable senior housing options can be challenging depending on where your sister lives. Senior apartments for some retirees are a good option, and you’ll be happy to know that there are several government programs that can help financially. Here are some tips that can help your sister locate an apartment that fi ts her budget and living preferences. Start with HUD The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) off ers a variety of resources that can help lower-income people, like your sister, locate and pay for housing. Here are three different programs to look into. Privately owned subsidized apartments: HUD helps many apartment owners across the country off er reduced rents to low-income tenants. To search for subsidized apartments in your area, visit Resources.hud.gov. Housing choice voucher program: This program allows low-income families, elderly, and disabled people aff ord decent, safe, and sanitary housing in the private market. The housing subsidy would be paid to the landlord each month. Your sister would then pay the difference between the actual rent charged by the landlord and the amount subsidized by the program. To learn more or apply, contact your local public housing agency (see HUD. gov/contactus/public-housing-contacts for contact information), or call 800-955-2232. Public housing: This low-income housing option comes in all sizes and types, from scattered single-family houses to high rise apartments for elderly families. Your local public housing agency is again the resource for locating public housing in your area. If you need more help or housing advice, contact a HUD-approved housing counseling agency near you. See HUD4.my.site.com/housingcounseling or call 800-5694287 for contact information. How to Choose If you or your sister fi nd several apartment choices that fall within her budget, she should consider what’s important to her. She may want housing that’s close to family, religious organizations, senior centers, or places she visits regularly, like grocery stores, parks or gyms. Or, if she has a disabling condition, it may be especially critical for her to fi nd a living space that has easy access to important services like senior transportation and health care centers. In your housing search, you may also come across some red fl ags that indicate a retirement community wouldn’t be a good fi t for your sister. Keep an eye out for extra fees that may be applied to everyday items or perks you normally wouldn’t think about like laundry service, parking or pets. You should also make sure the apartment is in good condition and then scout out the neighborhood. Ask yourself if the community is clean and well maintained and if there is any debris or messy landscaping. If you notice anything out of the ordinary, follow up with questions before your sister signs a rental contract. Other Programs In addition to affordable housing, there are a number of other fi nancial assistance programs that may help your sister pay for things like food, medications, health care, utilities and more. To locate these programs, check her eligibility and apply, visit Benefi tsCheckUp.org. Send your questions or comments to questions@ savvysenior.org, or to Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070. nior ior Everett Public Libraries Calendar of Events Parlin Adult and Teens Gaming Club: Parlin Meeting Room, Mondays and Wednesdays in August from 2-3 p.m. Join us for board games on Mondays and multiplayer video games on Wednesdays! For ages 12 and up. Classics & Crafts Movie Night: Parlin Meeting Room, Tuesday, August 5, at 6:30 p.m. Join us for a casual movie viewing where conversation is allowed and crafting is encouraged! We’ll be watching “Little Women” (2019), and viewers are recommended to be 14 years of age or older. Silent Reads Society: Parlin Meeting Room, Saturday, August 9, from 12-2 p.m. Join Silent Reads Society, a unique book club where we enjoy quiet reading. All are welcome! Resume Writing: Parlin Information Desk. Do you need help sprucing up an old resume or creating a new one? Sign up for a 30-minute session at the Parlin. By appointment only; to register, send an email to parlininfo@noblenet.org or call 617-394-2300. Computer Basics 101: Parlin Information Desk. Not familiar with the computer? Learn the basics at the library! By appointment only; to register, send an email to parlininfo@noblenet. org or call 617-394-2300. Parlin Children’s Mystery Craft Monday: Stop by the Parlin Children’s Room every Monday for a Grab and Go mystery craft — a self-directed arts & crafts program for children ages three to seven. Lego Club: Parlin Children’s Room, Monday, August 4, from 3-5 p.m. Come to the Children’s Room after school on Mondays for some free Lego building fun. Open to all ages; children under six years old must be accompanied by an adult. No registration is required. Storytime and Sing-along with Karen: Parlin Children’s Room, Wednesday, August 6, at 11 a.m. Join us for a fun-fi lled morning of singing and storytelling with Karen! Suggested ages: newborn to six. Drama Class: Parlin Children’s Room, Wednesday, August 6, at 3 p.m. Do you have a drama queen or king at home? appointment and let a librarian help you craft a resume tailored to your strengths and aspirations. Sign up for a 30-minute session; Fridays by appointment only. Computer Basics 101: Shute Drama Class in the Parlin Children’s Department is the perfect opportunity for your child to put those acting skills to use with our drama coach! Suggested ages: six to 14. Story Time Adventures with Mrs. McAuliffe: Parlin Children’s Room; join us on Thursday and Fridays at 11 a.m. for our enchanting Story Time! Rainbow Dance Party with Elijah T. Grasshopper: Parlin Meeting Room, Thursday, August 7, at 2 p.m. Children ages two to eight will have a hopping good time dancing and moving to the beat with special guest Elijah T. Grasshopper. Friday Family Movies: Parlin Meeting Room, Friday, August 8, at 3 p.m. Break out the popcorn! Come and watch “Raya and the Last Dragon” with your friends and family. Origami Club: Parlin Children’s Room, Saturday, August 9, at 12 p.m. Learn how to fold paper animals of all kinds! Open to all ages and abilities. Paper and instruction will be provided. Mixed-Media Crafts: Parlin Children’s Room, Saturday, August 9, at 11 a.m. Enjoy learning and develop your imagination! Recommended for ages five to 12. Registration is required, sign up online. This program is funded by the Everett Cultural Council. Shute Adult and Teens Golden Minds: Play, Create, Connect: Shute Meeting Room, Monday, August 4, at 10 a.m. Join us for our monthly senior social at the Shute Library! No registration required. This event is open to ages 55-109! Games are generously supplied by the Council on Aging. Sketch Studio: Shute Meeting Room, Tuesday, August 5, at 4:30 p.m. Come hang with us at our Sketch Studio hour — a weekly drop-in art session! Resume Writing: Shute Adult Department; book a one-on-one resume assistance Adult Department. Tech newbie? No problem! Learn to power up, click around, type like a pro, explore the digital world and even send your fi rst email. Book your Friday adventure with technology today! By appointment only on Fridays; please call the Shute Library to register for an appointment. Shute Children’s Story to Screen: Book & Movie Club: Shute Meeting Room, Mondays at 2:30 p.m. It’s time for fi lms and fun! Munch on popcorn and watch “How to Train Your Dragon,” based on Cressida Cowell’s bestseller. Recommended for children age eight and up. Miss Val’s Storytime Pals: Shute Children’s Room, Mondays at 10 a.m. and Tuesdays at 12 p.m. What’s better than a good story? Sharing it with friends! Join Miss Val at the Shute Library for Fairytale Fun! Book Talk: Summer Reading Edition: Shute Meeting Room, Wednesdays at 10 a.m. Have you been keeping up with your summer reading? Drop in to share your opinions, get recommendations and find out what everyone else has been reading (and doing) during summer break! Tune In: Music Class at the Library! Shute Meeting Room, Wednesday, August 6, from 2-3:30 p.m. Join us for a fun and interactive music class where you’ll learn to read music and sing! This program is recommended for ages 10-14. Materials for this program have been generously provided by the Friends of the Everett Public Libraries. Master Builders: Lego Freeplay: Shute Children’s Room, Thursdays from 3-5 p.m.; freeplay session with Legos and other building blocks. Bring a buddy, or make a new one, as you explore your imagination brick by brick! We provide the space and the materials to let your vision take shape. What will you create?
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