Earlier this week, we published an overview of Senior Housing as an exciting investment class. Today, we follow up by highlighting a couple of regulatory programs that can help you increase your analysis, and your returns, in this growing asset class.
How to use Medicare to profit from senior living property
Private sector insurance companies that offer coverage to Medicare-eligible older adults receive funds from the federal government. Under Medicare Advantage, companies using well-designed plans can care for senior living residents, deliver needed services and payments, and still have money left over as profit, according to Senior Housing News.
The Kaiser Family Foundation notes that over 20 million people – or 34% of Medicare beneficiaries – are enrolled in a Medicare Advantage (MA) plan. That number of enrollees is expected to reach 38 million by 2030. MA plans can also include dental and vision benefits, and fund certain types of non-medical, in-home care services such as daily maintenance care.
This is a recent policy shift for Medicare Advantage plans and could create a new revenue stream for providers of senior living facilities.
How HUD helps senior housing investors
The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) uses a push-pull strategy to assist both senior housing investors and residents.
Section 232 is an FHA loan program that provides mortgage insurance for residential care facilities including nursing homes and assisted living facilities. Using Section 232 to finance purchases, refinance, and for new development and substantial property updating are allowable uses. HUD loan insurance programs like these provide long-term, fixed-rate financing that is fully amortized and non-resource.
HUD-sponsored housing options also help tenants in senior living facilities:
- Housing Choice Voucher Program (HCVP) is the largest assisted housing program administered by HUD and can be either tenant-based or project-based.
- HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly is specifically designed for seniors and the disabled who need assistance with activities of daily living like housekeeping, counseling, and transportation.
- Congregate Housing Services Program (CHSP) provides funds to Section 202 housing communities to help the disabled avoid premature institutionalization.
- HUD Section 811 helps seniors or the disabled to live in a housing environment with supported services such as personal assistance, meals, and recreation.
Where to find senior housing investments
As noted earlier, the demand for senior housing can be found in all parts of the country, from major metro areas to smaller secondary and tertiary markets.
CrediFi has data on thousands of properties in the senior housing asset class and subclasses including assisted living, skilled nursing, and memory care centers. Commercial real estate practitioners can obtain reports on up to 30,000 properties with detailed ownership and loan information.
