
What does no Hopa mean? HOPA = Housing Older Persons Act (HOPA) which means it is an an age restricted community where owners MUST be 55 (or 62) and older. What does the term Hopa mean in real estate?
Full Answer
What is a Hopa community?
This is my blog on wood Vs CBS construction. HOPA = Housing Older Persons Act ( HOPA) which means it is an an age restricted community where owners MUST be 55 (or 62) and older.
What is the housing for Older Persons Act?
HOPA stands for Housing for Older Persons Act. This act, passed in 1995, allows senior communities to discriminate based on familial status. The Fair Housing Act prevents discrimination based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap, and familial status in real estate transactions.
How many people are required to be in a Hopa?
HOPA requires that at least 80 percent of the occupied units must be occupied by at least one person 55 or older. The remaining 20 percent of the units may be occupied by persons under 55, and the community/facility may still qualify for the exemption. Question 15.
What are the requirements for housing for older persons?
That at least 80 percent of the occupied units be occupied by at least one person who is 55 years of age or older; 3. The community must publish and adhere to policies and procedures that demonstrate its intent to qualify as housing for older persons.

What does Hopa mean in real estate?
Housing for Older Persons ActThe Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA), signed into law by President Clinton on December 28, 1995, amended the housing for older persons exemption against familial status discrimination.
What is the 80/20 rule in a 55 plus community?
At least 80 percent of occupied unites in a 55+ community must have at least one person living there who is over 55. This leaves the other 20 percent of the community's units available for people of any age, creating the “80/20 Rule.”
Can someone under 55 live in a 55+ community in Florida?
In Florida 55+ communities there is a federal law that governs all our age-restricted communities. According to this law, at least 80 percent of the occupied units must have at least one resident who is 55 years of age or older.
How does HUD define elderly?
HUD's Public Housing Guidebook clearly defines elderly families. “An elderly family is a family whose head, spouse or sole member is a person who is at least 62 years of age.
Can I live with my mom in a 55+ community?
Can Kids Live with Parents in 55+ Communities? Yes, as long as your child is over 18 and at least one member of the household is 55 or older. However, there are exceptions to this rule, typically on a community-by-community basis.
Can someone younger than 55 live in a 55+ community?
Can Someone Under 55 Buy In A 55+ Community? Yes, someone under 55 may buy in a 55+ community. However, at least one of the residents living in the home must be over the age of 55. It can also depend on the community's own guidelines and regulations with the age requirement.
What are the rules for 55 and older communities in Florida?
For a community to be considered "housing for older persons" as a 55+ community, the housing must be intended and operated for occupancy by persons 55 years of age or older and meet the following requirements: At least 80% of the occupied units are occupied by at least one person 55 years of age or older.
Can a child live in a 55+ community in Florida?
In general, having your children or grandchildren visit should not be an issue in most communities. If you're planning on moving to a Florida 55+ community, be sure to ask what their visitation policies are prior to moving in.
Why do 55+ communities exist?
The establishment of over 55 communities dates back to the Fair Housing Act of 1968 (FHA) which, among other things, sought to prohibit discrimination in housing based on race, gender, religion, or age.
Is age 55 a senior citizen?
In general, however, once you turn 55 you start to enter the senior age demographic. By the time you are 65 you reach the most common age for retirement from your job. However, an increasing number of senior citizens are working after 65, so retirement can no longer be a key factor in becoming a senior.
What is disabled as defined by HUD?
Federal nondiscrimination laws define a person with a disability to include any (1) individual with a physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more major life activities; (2) individual with a record of such impairment; or (3) individual who is regarded as having such an impairment.
What is the youngest age used to define senior housing?
55Some have programs for people as young as 55, while others require residents to be at least 62-years-old. One of our many differentiators is our nationally recognized Senior Suites program, a leading prototype for affordable senior housing.
Can you live in a 55+ community if you are younger Reddit?
Apparently there is a federal regulation for these communities stating that at least 80% of the residents must be age 55 and older -- meaning technically the remaining 20% of residents can be younger than 55.
Can you live in a 55+ community if you are younger California?
No one under the age of 62 is permitted to live there, with three exceptions: 1) a live-in caregiver who might need to live with the senior as a “reasonable accommodation” based on the disability of a resident; 2) an employee under 62 whose duties require that the person must live on the property; and 3) underage ...
Do you have to be 55 to buy in a 55+ community in California?
Everything about the community caters to older residents, from amenities and floor layouts to required house upkeep, neighborhood activities and services. These neighborhoods are also age-restricted, which means that residents must be 55 or older to own a home.
Is leisureville a 55 plus community?
Leisureville is a 55+ community located in Pompano Beach, Florida. This active adult neighborhood consists of 928 residences available on a resale-only basis. Homeowners enjoy amenities from two clubhouses, community transit, plenty of social activities, and affordable low-maintenance homes.
What is a Hopa?
HOPA = Housing Older Persons Act ( HOPA) which means it is an an age restricted community where owners MUST be 55 (or 62) and older. Some occupants may be under 55 and they still maintain this certification however when the unit is purchased at least one occupant must be over 55 and typically someone under 55 may inherit the property, or a bank may foreclose and own it, however the association would not approve an open market sale to a Buyer who is not 55+. The Park Plaza community in Jupiter is an age restricted community as are Little Club and Sugar Sands . CLICK HERE for a link to some age restricted communities in the area.
What does HOA mean in Florida?
HOA = Home Owners Association. Typical in Florida if there’s a gate or any community features like a pool it’s an HOA. Think Condo light and Buyers must be given this Homeowners Association_HOA – Community Disclosure.
What does COA mean in a condominium?
COA = Condominium Owners Association. If it’s in a Condominium then the Buyer must be given this Condominium Rider . The Marina at the Bluffs is a condominium.
How many people are required to be in a Hopa unit?
HOPA requires that at least 80 percent of the occupied units must be occupied by at least one person 55 or older. The remaining 20 percent of the units may be occupied by persons under 55, and the community/facility may still qualify for the exemption. Question 15.
What are the requirements for 55 and older housing?
That the housing be intended and operated for persons 55 years of age or older; 2. That at least 80 percent of the occupied units be occupied by at least one person who is 55 years of age or older; 3. The community must publish ...
What is the 55 and older exemption?
The Act exempts ‘‘housing for older persons’’ from the Act’s prohibitions against familial status discrimination. “Housing for older persons” is housing intended and operated for occupancy by persons 55 years of age or older which satisfies certain criteria. A community seeking to claim the 55 and older exemption must meet the following requirements:
How often does a housing community have to re-survey its list of residents?
Answer. HOPA requires that a housing facility/community re-survey its lists of residents every two years to ensure that the 80% requirement is met. A housing community's or facility's failure to survey or re-survey its list of occupants in accordance with its age verification procedures does not demonstrate intent to housing for older persons, and could jeopardize the housing community's status as 55 or older housing.
What is the Fair Housing Act?
The Fair Housing Act prohibits discrimination based on “familial status.” In other words, it protects people who have at least one child under 18 living with them and prevents an HOA from having any sort of rule or restriction that singles out children (except in very limited circumstances).
What is the age limit for adult living?
Note that general phrases such as “adult living,” “adult community,” or similar statements in any written advertisement or prospectus are insufficient to establish the intent that the housing facility or community intends to operate as housing for persons 55 years of age or older.
How old do you have to be to qualify for a housing exemption?
In order to qualify for the exemption, the housing community/facility must satisfy each of the following requirements: a) at least 80 percent of the occupied units must be occupied by at least one person 55 years of age or older per unit;
What does HOPA stand for?
We get asked this question all the time, what is HOPA? It Stands for Housing for Older Persons Act of 1995, which allows Communities of Homes to Restrict the Age of Residents to 55 Years or Older.
How old do you have to be to live in a community?
Most 55+ age-restricted active adult communities will place an age-minimum on the residents. In most active adult communities, no one under the age of 19 may reside in the community unless granted an exemption (or, if the community has designated "family units", resides within those areas). However, at a community's discretion, the age minimum may be higher or lower. Furthermore, most communities stipulate that if anyone under the age of 55 resides in their community, they must live in a household where at least one occupant is 55 or older. Nearly all age-restricted and active adult communities allow people under the age minimum, such as grandchildren, to visit and stay on a limited basis. Most age-restricted communities have covenants that allow people under the age-minimum to reside temporarily in the community for a period ranging from two weeks to 90 days per year (varies by community).
How old do you have to be to buy a home?
So what all does this mean for you buying a home? That at least 1 person must be at least 55 years or older in the household, and typically no one may reside in the unit that is under 19. The goal is to provide a safe place for older people to live and thrive, typically these are communities which cater to older people for the next chapter of their life before a retirement home.
Does J Team have a HOPA?
The J Team understands the importance of HOPA and will make sure when we send you properties, one of the first things we do is check with you if you want a senior community for 55+ or not. Typically our clients do not qualify yet, so we will never send a property that is for an older person, because we understand the difference. Honestly, we still come across new agents and even older agents who still don't know what HOPA means. This can be scary that agents aren't willing to learn new things that could potentially hurt you legally and financially.
Is Hopa a senior community in Florida?
In Southeast Florida, as Realtors, we encounter HOPA a lot, typically with younger buyers who went online and saw that there were great "deals" on condos under $50,000 and Homes for as little as $100,000, only to get discouraged when we inform them this community is for 55+. A lot of the misunderstanding is some real estate professionals will put in the description this is a senior community or 55+ communty. Most agents now a days just put a YES next to the HOPA question when submitting a property on the MLS. So we spend a lot of time educating home buyers in Southeast Florida to look at HOPA and see if it's marked as a YES or NO.
How many people are required to be in a Hopa unit?
HOPA requires that at least 80 percent of the occupied units must be occupied by at least one person 55 or older . The remaining 20 percent of the units may be occupied by persons under 55, and the community/facility may still qualify for the exemption.
What is the Fair Housing Act?
Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (the Federal Fair Housing Act), as amended by the Fair Housing Amendments Act of 1988 (the Fair Housing Act), prohibits discrimination in housing and real estate-related transactions based on race, color, religion, sex, national origin, handicap and familial status (in general, the presence of children under the age of 18 in the household). The prohibition against discrimination based on familial status became effective March 12, 1989. The Act contained a provision exempting "senior" housing from the prohibition against familial status discrimination.
Does the Fair Housing Act cover age discrimination?
Neither the Fair Housing Act nor HOPA covers age discrimination. Neither of these federal laws supersede or otherwise affect state or local laws that prohibit age discrimination. Housing community/facilities always should check all relevant state, local and federal laws, and any requirements imposed as a term of governmental financial assistance before implementing policies and procedures that limit the eligibility of its residents.
Does the Fair Housing Act require a deed?
The Fair Housing Act does not require this. HOPA does not require this. This is an example of an issue or aspect of senior housing communities that is generally governed by independent law, deed restriction, or other legally enforceable documents.
What is the age requirement for senior housing?
The legal requirement for 55+ senior housing is that 80 percent of the property's occupied units have at least one person that's at least 55 years old. So, if your spouse is at least 55, but you aren't – you could be eligible for residency.
What is the minimum age to live in senior living?
In senior living communities where the minimum age is 62 , however, there are no exceptions. Apartments for this age group do not permit any younger residents to live in their units.
How old do you have to be to move into a senior living facility?
If you have an adult child who lives with you – this means he or she is at least 19 years old – it's probable that you'll be permitted to move in. Senior living communities try their best to make the conditions pleasant for residents who have reached a similar phase of life.
Is senior living a good option for older people?
For older people looking to downsize – and this could be for any number of reasons – a senior living community can be a wonderful option.
Can senior citizens rent in HUD?
While the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) – and the Housing for Older Persons Act – do impose rules about who property management companies can restrict from renting in senior living communities, rules for visitors are subjective.
Can a 55 year old live in an apartment?
Apartment communities make life simpler, too, for working seniors who'd like to minimize their responsibilities in their limited free time. Most, however, require residents to be at least 55 years old. So, can people under 55 live in a senior living community? The short answer is yes, but there are caveats.
Can grandkids go to senior living?
Kids and grandkids can come and go for visits as you please, as long as they're relatively short-term. Some senior living communities even offer amenities that appeal to grandparents, such as playgrounds, splash pads, even kids' pools (most will require any children using the pool to be out of diapers, however).

The Fair Housing Act
The Housing For Older Persons Act
- President Bill Clinton amended The Fair Housing Actand signed the Housing for Older Persons Act on December 28, 1995. As an exemption to the rules above, a real estate company or any entity engaging in the housing market can now impose an age-limit restriction on possible buyers and dwellers. They have obtained the right to deny purchase or lease to someone who doesn’t fit int…
What Is An Age-Restricted Community?
- An age-restricted community, as mentioned, is better known as the 55+ community. Some also call it a senior housing community. It is a community intended to cater to the preferences and interests of residents aged 55 and above. What Are the Qualifications to Be Met for a Community to Be Listed as an Age-Restricted Community? 1. First, not less than...
The 80/20 Rule
- As partially discussed above, this rule means not less than 80 percent of the homes should be resided by a minimum of one person aging from 55 and above. For a newly-constructed facility or for communities that underwent rehabilitation or renovations and are not yet occupied for at least 90 days, the rule is applicable only after 25 percent of the homes have been seized. Moreover, w…
How About The 20 percent?
- The 20 percent rule has created many confusions and numerous misunderstandings among communities. To clarify, the government amended the rules and finalized the regulations in implementing the act. There’s no specific requirement for the remaining 20 percent, provided that, no less than 80 percent of the homes in the community are resided by a minimum of one perso…
Benefits of Living in A 55+ Community?
- Why do retirees prefer to settle in a 55+ community, regardless of the complications that might happen when the 80/20 rule mentioned above is not met? Some say, when you are buying a home, you are not just buying the home, but also the lifestyle that the community promotes. These 55+ communities specifically aim to cater to the lifestyles of the senior residents.
So, The Final Question Will Be – Will A Retiree Go For A 55+ Community Or Not?
- The answer is that the decision still lies in someone’s preferences. Sometimes, when you set foot into a particular community, even if it’s not the best, it still may be perfect for you. However, you still have to consider a lot of things. Nevertheless, you must not rush in looking for the best community for you. Since this will be your forever home, it must be thoughtfully planned, and it …