In other words, a total of 4,000 units would have to be built to create the 800 units of assisted housing.

The rental income is then used to offset any rental costs for assisted or alternative housing.

She died in 1982 and he moved to assisted housing soon afterward.

"Some communities can house elderly households in assisted housing almost immediately, while some have long waiting lists," the report found.

For example, when the Gables opened in 1985 it considered itself "congregate" rather than "assisted" housing.

Programs that assist the needy would bear the brunt of the huge cut, with $5.7 billion from assisted housing alone.

"The squeeze on lower-income families, an accelerated need for assisted housing, these are some of the issues we face."

The cost of the operation goes well beyond typical costs for assisted housing.

"It was a low-income area with an overriding concentration of assisted housing," at least 60 percent, he said.

The federal government has been disinvesting in assisted housing.