717 NE 5th Street, Ankeny, IA 50021
About Penelope 38 Senior Apartments
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What does income-based independent living look like in Ankeny, Iowa? Penelope 38 Senior Apartments, at 717 NE 5th Street, is a 53-apartment community built under the HUD Section 202 Supportive Housing for the Elderly program. The program is aimed at very low income seniors age 62 and older, and rent is calculated as a share of income rather than charged at a flat market rate.
Independent living at Penelope 38 means each resident keeps a private apartment and is responsible for cooking, cleaning and getting around on their own. The community does not provide personal care, medication management or nursing services, since the Section 202 program funds housing costs rather than caregiving. AHEPA Senior Living, a nonprofit, operates the property and has supported causes including senior nutrition and programs that empower women since 1996.
Eligibility depends on age, 62 or older, and household income falling under a limit HUD sets for the area each year. With 53 apartments at this address, openings depend on how often current residents move out, and a waiting list often applies when the building is full. Families should ask the property directly for current income limits and availability rather than rely on last year's numbers.
Anyone weighing Ankeny housing can also look at other senior living in Ankeny to compare Penelope 38 against nearby income-restricted communities and other independent living choices. Turnover in income-restricted buildings tends to be slower than in market-rate housing, which is part of why a waiting list often forms.
Care Types at Penelope 38 Senior Apartments
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Independent Living
Maintenance-free communities for active adults who want resort-style amenities, social activities, and the convenience of community living without daily care assistance.
Frequently Asked Questions
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What income limits apply at Penelope 38 Senior Apartments? + −
Eligibility follows the HUD Section 202 program: residents must be 62 or older and fall under an income limit HUD sets for the area based on household size. Limits change over time, so ask through the Request Information form on this page for current figures.
What level of care does Penelope 38 provide? + −
Penelope 38 offers independent living only, across 53 apartments. Residents manage their own daily routine, and personal care, medication management and nursing services are not part of the program. That distinction matters for families expecting daily hands-on help, since none of it is offered under this housing program.
What is included in the rent at Penelope 38? + −
Rent is calculated as a share of household income under Section 202 and covers the apartment itself. Specific unit features can vary, so ask through the Request Information form on this page for details on this address.
Does Penelope 38 Senior Apartments allow pets? + −
Pet policy for this community is set at the property level and is not covered in the summary available here. Anyone with a pet, or considering getting one, should ask through the Request Information form on this page before applying, since rules can differ from one building to the next.
How can a family schedule a visit to Penelope 38? + −
Use the Request Information form on this page to ask about a tour and to start an application, including current openings among the 53 units. That conversation is also a good time to ask what documents an application typically requires and how long a decision usually takes.
What is the neighborhood around Penelope 38 like? + −
Penelope 38 Senior Apartments is located in Ankeny, Iowa. For more on the surrounding area, ask through the Request Information form on this page or visit in person. Visiting in person, when possible, is often the clearest way to get a feel for the surrounding streets and nearby services.
Learn More About Penelope 38 Senior Apartments
Contact us for pricing, availability, and to schedule a tour of Penelope 38 Senior Apartments in Ankeny, Iowa.