Shared housing for seniors on a fixed income is one answer to a squeeze felt across Lake County. A lot of older adults in Lake County are caught in the same squeeze: the rent went up, the Social Security cheque didn’t, and a one-bedroom apartment plus utilities now costs more per month than the income coming in.
Living on SSI or SSDI? See our guide to housing on SSI or SSDI in Indiana, including 2026 benefit amounts and how to protect your benefits when sharing housing.
Shared housing is one of the few options that actually changes that maths. You rent a private bedroom in a furnished house and share the kitchen, bathrooms and living areas. The monthly cost drops, and — the part that matters most on a fixed income — it becomes predictable.
Why all-inclusive matters more when you’re on a fixed income
A fixed income doesn’t fail because of rent. It fails because of the months rent isn’t the only bill.
A cold January in Northwest Indiana can double a heating bill. A broken water heater becomes a choice between the repair and the groceries. When utilities, Wi-Fi and laundry are included in one flat monthly figure, that volatility disappears. You know in October exactly what February costs.
That is the specific reason our pricing is structured the way it is:
- $750 per month for a private room
- $200 one-time move-in fee
All utilities, free Wi-Fi, on-site laundry, a fully equipped shared kitchen, full bathrooms, comfortable common areas and household essentials are included. One payment. No separate accounts to set up or keep track of.
What this is — and what it isn’t
It’s worth being direct, because “senior housing” covers a lot of very different things.
This is: independent living in a clean, furnished, well-kept shared home with an on-site manager, other residents around, and no lease tying you down.
This is not: assisted living, a nursing home, or a care facility. There is no nursing staff, no medication management and no personal care. Residents look after themselves day to day.
If you need daily care, we’ll tell you honestly that we’re not the right fit — and we’d rather say that on the phone than after you’ve moved.
Company we didn’t expect to matter as much as it does
The practical case for shared housing is the money. The part residents mention most often is not the money.
Living alone on a fixed income is isolating, and isolation is hard on older adults in ways that show up in health outcomes. A shared kitchen means somebody notices if you haven’t come down today. That’s not a marketed feature — it’s just what happens when people live in the same house.
Where the homes are
Our homes are in Hammond, Indiana, on the Illinois state line. For older residents that location does real work:
- Hammond has Lake County’s main concentration of health clinics, pharmacies and social service offices
- Bus routes and the South Shore Line make it possible to live here without driving
- Family in Chicago or the south suburbs stay within easy visiting distance
- East Chicago, Whiting, Munster, Highland, Griffith and Gary are all a short drive away
How to get a room
- Call or text 219-200-0497 and tell us roughly when you need to move
- We tell you what’s available — usually on that first call
- Come and see the room before you decide
- Move in. It’s furnished, so you bring your belongings and nothing else
There is no waiting list and no complicated qualification process.
Shared Housing for Seniors on a Fixed Income: FAQs
How much does shared housing for seniors on a fixed income cost in Hammond?
Our shared housing for seniors on a fixed income costs $750 a month for a private room, with utilities, Wi-Fi and laundry included, so your monthly budget stays predictable.
Can I pay for shared housing for seniors on a fixed income with Social Security or SSI?
Yes. Many residents pay for shared housing for seniors on a fixed income with Social Security, SSI, SSDI or a pension. We simply need to confirm your monthly income.
Is shared housing for seniors on a fixed income safe?
Our shared housing for seniors on a fixed income is in clean, maintained homes that are alcohol-free and drug-free, with house rules everyone agrees to before moving in.
Do I need to sign a lease for shared housing for seniors on a fixed income?
No. Our shared housing for seniors on a fixed income is month to month with no long-term lease.
Is shared housing for seniors on a fixed income the same as assisted living?
No. Our shared housing for seniors on a fixed income is independent living. It does not include medical care, so it suits seniors who can manage daily life on their own.
How do I apply for shared housing for seniors on a fixed income?
To apply for shared housing for seniors on a fixed income, fill out our short availability form or call or text 219-200-0497. We usually respond the same day.
How much does senior shared housing cost in Hammond, Indiana?
Rooms run $750 per month. Both are all-inclusive — utilities, Wi-Fi, laundry, kitchen and common areas are covered, so there is one predictable payment and no separate bills.
Is this senior living or assisted living?
Neither. We are independent shared housing. There is no nursing care, no medication management and no personal care staff. Residents live independently. If you need daily care, an assisted living facility is the right option, not us.
Can I afford this on Social Security alone?
Many of our residents are on a fixed income. Because the rent is all-inclusive there are no surprise utility bills in winter, which is usually what breaks a fixed budget.
Do I need to sign a lease?
No. There is no long-term lease. You stay as long as it works for you.
Is the house safe?
There is an on-site manager who lives with the day-to-day running of the home. That is the single biggest difference between our houses and a room rented from an absentee landlord.
Are the rooms furnished?
Yes, fully. Bed, storage and furnishing are already in place, so you do not need to move or buy furniture.
What if I have mobility problems?
Tell us when you call. Some rooms suit limited mobility better than others and we will be honest about what we have rather than move you into something unsuitable.
Do you accept seniors with pets?
Ask us when you call. It depends on the specific home and the other residents.
Talk to us
Call or text 219-200-0497, email affordablelivingcompany@gmail.com, or use our contact page.
Related: low-income housing in Hammond · transitional housing in Northwest Indiana · all housing services
Check what is available
The fastest way to find out if we have a room is to ask. Check availability — five quick questions, no application and no documents. Or call or text 219-200-0497.
Inside the house
Alcohol-free, drug-free homes
Every Affordable Living Company home is alcohol-free and drug-free, and every resident agrees to the same short set of house rules before moving in: no alcohol, drugs or smoking on the premises, assigned chores, visitors by prior approval, and lights out in shared areas by 10:00 PM. There is a prequalification interview and a short orientation before move-in.
We are not a treatment program, a licensed facility or a certified recovery residence, and no clinical or medical services are provided on site. Read the full house rules and what to expect.
Equal Housing Opportunity. Affordable Living Company does not discriminate on the basis of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, familial status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local fair housing law. Rooms are available to any applicant who meets our published house rules and screening requirements. Where we describe the situations of people we have housed, we are describing who has come to us, not stating a preference or limitation. Shared housing for seniors on a fixed income can make the difference between stability and constant worry. For general renter guidance, see HUD’s renter resources.
