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Tucked between San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean, South San Francisco is a beautiful, breezy place to retire. In fact, of the city’s 66,000 residents, 16.3% are aged 65 or older. With its moderate temperatures, easily accessible green spaces and mountain views, the city is a comfortable place to live. The San Francisco International Airport sits 4 miles south of downtown, providing easy access for family members to visit.
Though close to the hustle and bustle of San Francisco, south San Francisco has a quieter atmosphere and a distinct sense of community. Seniors in the area enjoy the diverse population, accessible public transportation and a wide selection of restaurants and parks. The city-run senior center offers free services, information sessions and a full schedule of events, and transportation to the center is available at no cost through the South City shuttle.
Most homes in South San Francisco lie a short drive from Kaiser Permanente South San Francisco Medical Center. For specialized services, the top-ranked UCSF Medical Center lies just 11 miles north. With its compact size, convenient amenities and easy access to health care, South San Francisco is the ideal spot for seniors who want to live a full life while receiving home care services.
If you’re considering home care in South San Francisco, you can expect to pay an average of $6,864 per month, according to the Genworth 2021 Cost of Care Survey. Home health care services are slightly more expensive, coming in at $7,150 per month.
These figures assume you’re receiving care for 44 hours per week. Your costs may be higher or lower, depending on your unique needs. On average, home care costs $36 per hour in South San Francisco. For home health care, costs rise slightly to $37.50 per hour.
The costs for home care in South San Francisco are more affordable than nearby San Jose. There, residents pay $238 more per month for home care services. Sacramento seniors pay slightly less than people in South San Francisco, with monthly costs for both home care and home health care coming in at $6,292. Stockton has the lowest costs in the region; residents pay $5,482 per month for home care, which is $1,022 less than South San Francisco. Home health care in Stockton is $1,668 less per month.
Compared to other types of senior care in South San Francisco, home care is a mid-range option. Home care is $4,702 less per month than a semiprivate room in a nursing home, which averages $11,566 per month. Home health care is about $286 more per month, and an assisted living facility cuts monthly costs by $545. The cheapest option in South San Francisco is adult day care, which has monthly costs of $1,950.
Finding a home care provider for yourself or a loved one can be a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. Below, we explain the process of how to find a home care provider in 5 simple steps. Use the infographic below to help guide your search for in-home care in South San Francisco, CA.
What You Should Know
The City of South San Francisco’s CDBG Home Repair Voucher Program provides up to $2,500 for emergency home repairs. You can also use these vouchers to fix code violations related to roof damage, cracked sewer lines or damaged windows. The program is administered by the Economic Development & Housing Division, and funding comes from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development’s (HUD) Community Development Block Grant Program.
Who Is Eligible?
This program is only open to homeowners in South San Francisco with low or moderate incomes. When determining eligibility, the city considers the combined income of everyone in the household.
How to Get Started
To get started with the CDBG Home Repair Voucher Program, fill out the application and submit it with proof of income for everyone in your household. To learn more, call the Department of Economic & Community Development at (650) 829-6620, or email [email protected].
What You Should Know
The Energy Savings Assistance program provides free weatherization services to homes across California. If you qualify, you could receive help with furnaces, refrigerators, insulation, caulking, weatherstripping and more. The goal is to create a more energy-efficient home that reduces your utility costs.
The ESA Program was created by the State of California, but it’s administered through individual utility companies. Once you apply, your utility provider will schedule a home assessment with an energy specialist who will determine the necessary updates. The work is performed by the ESA Program’s qualified subcontractors.
Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for the ESA Program, you must meet certain income eligibility criteria. The maximum income varies based on the size of your household. For 2022 and 2023, the income limit for a one-person household is $33,975 and $44,775 for a two-person household. You must provide proof of income during the home assessment.
How to Get Started
To get an application for the ESA Program, call your electric or gas provider. You can find phone numbers for participating providers through the California Public Utilities Commission.
What You Should Know
Rebuilding Together Peninsula is a nonprofit organization that provides free home repairs to people across San Mateo County. The group performs mostly minor repairs, including plumbing, electrical, carpentry and painting. They can also help seniors by installing grab bars and making energy-efficient updates to doors and windows.
If you’re approved, staff members will assess and schedule necessary repairs. For projects that impact your health or safety, skilled staff members and volunteers are available year-round. For less-critical projects, you may need to wait until the National Rebuilding Days in April and October.
Who Is Eligible?
To be eligible for this program, you must own your home in San Mateo County and plan to stay for a minimum of 2 years. You may not own other property, and you must fall below the program’s income limits. For 2022, the maximum income for a two-person household is $119,300.
How to Get Started
To find out more about Rebuilding Together Peninsula’s repair services, call (650) 366-6597 or email [email protected].
What You Should Know
The California State Controller’s Office administers the Property Tax Postponement Program, which enables low-income senior homeowners to defer their property taxes for the current year. The benefit is only available for your primary residence.
This program operates on a limited budget. Funds are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, so you should check the current application dates and submit your files as early as you can. Since the taxes must be paid eventually, the program takes out a lien against your property if you’re approved.
Who Is Eligible?
To apply for the Property Tax Postponement Program, you must be at least 62 years old. The program is also open to younger people who are disabled or blind. You must own your home with at least 40% equity and live in it full-time. The Controller’s Office also requires you to fall below the maximum income limit, which is $49,017 in 2022. Homes with reverse mortgages are ineligible.
How to Get Started
If you want to learn more, contact the State Controller’s Office at (800) 952-5661 or [email protected].
What You Should Know
Administered by the Center for Independence of Individuals with Disabilities, the Housing Accessibility Modification Program provides free accessibility-related home upgrades. The program helps residents of San Mateo County to live comfortably and safely at home. Some of the available modifications include installing shower benches, grab bars, wheelchair ramps, handrails and vertical lifts.
Who Is Eligible?
The CID offers free home modifications to people who meet income limits. You must call to find out more about current limits.
How to Get Started
If you want to learn more, call the CID at (650) 645-1780.