Last month alone, the Area Agency on Aging in Maricopa County received 700 calls from older adults asking for help with rent, utilities and other expenses. Now, area agencies around the state will be able to help people 60 and older with housing costs. 

Mary Lynn Kasunic, president and CEO of the Area Agency on Aging in Maricopa County, says the dollars can be used for things like rental and mortgage assistance, utility assistance, property taxes and even HOA assistance

"We've been asking the Legislature, advocating with them, for a couple of years to address some of these issues. And so, this is so exciting that the legislature and the governor saw a need in the total bill — that was a housing bill — to set aside $5 million just for people 60 and over," Kasunic said. 

Kasunic says one of the biggest issues facing older adults are rent increases. "The landlord increased their rent from $800 to $1,000 a month or from $800 to $1,200 a month. They were able to budget and be able to afford the $800, but they don't have the balance," Kasunic said. 

The money will be spread among the eight area agencies in the state. Kasunic hopes to help around 500 older adults with its share of the $5 million.

EDITOR'S NOTE: This headline has been updated to correct the name of the agency.