Chapter 54 of the 2006 Acts of the General Assembly amended § 2.2-5510 of the Code of Virginia to require that each state agency include in its strategic plan "an analysis of the impact that the aging of the population will have on its ability to deliver services and a description of how the agency is responding to these changes." The bill provides further that "(b)ased on guidance from the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, each agency shall report by October 1 of each year to the Governor and to the General Assembly its progress for addressing the impact of the aging of the population in at least five specific actions."

Pursuant to the five specific areas laid out in guidance from the Secretary of Human Resources, VHDA provides the following summary of programs and services to Virginia's senior population.

1. Seniors served by VHDA programs. As of June 30, 2006, VHDA has funded 20,573 affordable rental apartments specifically designed for occupancy by seniors of low and moderate income. These apartments are designed primarily for independent living. Most residents are under age 85--39 percent are age 65 to 74, 44 percent are age 75 to 84, and 17 percent are age 85 or older.

There are also a significant number of low- and moderate-income seniors occupying apartments funded by VHDA that serve the general population without age restriction. VHDA does not have full data on these tenants (the rental developments are privately owned and operated). However, from the data that is available, the age profile is younger than for senior-only developments--i.e., 58 percent are age 65 to 74, 36 percent are age 75 to 84, and 6 percent are age 85 or older.

VHDA administers HUD Section 8 rent subsidies to 5,152 senior residents of senior housing developments financed by VHDA. VHDA is also administering Section 8 rent subsidies for 733 senior residents of rental developments financed by VHDA that are designed for occupancy by the general population. The age profile of both groups of Section 8 recipients mirrors that of the overall population of seniors residing in VHDA funded housing.

VHDA also provides federal Housing Choice Voucher assistance to 1,394 senior households.

2. & 3. Programs and services benefits seniors. VHDA provides federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credits and mortgage financing for the development of affordable rental, housing serving low- and moderate -income seniors. Most of the rental housing financed by VHDA that serves seniors has been specifically designed for and restricted to occupancy by seniors. VHDA has adequate mortgage capital to meet current developer demand. However, tax credit availability is limited by federal statute, and some potential developments are limited by inadequate availability of appropriately zoned residential building sites.

Some of the senior-only housing developments financed by VHDA have project-based federal Section 8 rent subsidies assigned to them that enable occupancy by very low-income seniors. VHDA also administers federal Housing Choice Vouchers that enable very low-income seniors to access available private rental units available in the open market. About a third of VHDA local administrative agents maintain elderly preferences on their assistance waiting lists. Federal funding for Section 8 and Housing Choice Voucher assistance is inadequate to meet current need and demand among eligible seniors.

4. Consumer information on senior housing and residential accessibility. VHDA provides senior consumers with local listings of senior housing funded by VHDA. In addition, VHDA has partnered with other state entities to create http://www.AccessVA.org to provide a central point for on-line information on available affordable and accessible housing resources as well as information on accessibility issues and Universal Design.

5. Other programs and activities benefiting seniors, VHDA is engaged in a number of inter-agency initiatives to promote the expanded use of Universal Design in home construction. VHDA is also working with other state entities to develop viable models for developing affordable community residential alternatives to nursing home placement. In order to expand service to the senior community, VHDA is hiring a full-time outreach staff person to develop state and local partnerships and increase understanding of the diversity of senior housing needs.