Wednesday, Feb 8 2012 6:15PM

The U.S. Deparment of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) recently announced that an additional $31.5 million will be dedicated to making housing more affordable for very low-income senior citizens.

According to the department, funding will be dispersed through non-profit organizations in five states including Indiana, California, New York, Michigan and Ohio that work to provide affordable housing assistance.

The extra housing assistance comes after the HUD announced $545 million in funding through Section 202 grants across the nation to initiate construction and repairs for multi-unit developments that typically house low-income families. Grants are provided to the programs in the form of capital advances and project rental assistance contracts.

To qualify for assistance, HUD says household incomes must be less than 50 percent of the median in the location. However, HUD notes that many that receive Section 202 assistance earn less than 30 percent of the area's average income and are considered very low income.

"The Obama administration is committed to helping our senior citizens find an affordable place to live that is close to needed healthcare services and transportation," said HUD Secretary Shaun Donovan. "These grants and continued rental subsidies will provide critically needed housing to some of our most vulnerable citizens."

For further information, check out this source: The U.S. Deparment of Housing and Urban Development