2027 Social Security COLA Announcement: What Affordable Housing Professionals Need to Know

The 2027 Social Security Cost-of-Living Adjustment (COLA) has been announced!

The Social Security Administration (SSA) has released the 2027 COLA, which will increase Social Security and Supplemental Security Income (SSI) benefits beginning in 2027.

The 2027 COLA increase is 3.6%, compared with the 2.8% increase for 2026.

What does this mean for affordable housing?

For affordable housing professionals, the annual COLA announcement is an important reminder to review Social Security and SSI income documentation carefully during annual recertifications. Updated benefit amounts may affect a household’s anticipated annual income and should be documented and calculated in accordance with the applicable program requirements.

This is also a good time to remind residents to keep their letters that are sent out in December. Many state agencies will allow you to use an 'outdated' letter for SSA benefits, if you can show that the benefit has not changed. This helps alleviate the stress of getting a new letter from the Social Security Administration.

Always follow the applicable HUD, LIHTC, HOME, and state agency guidance when calculating income and completing certifications.

At Simply Compliance LLC, we help affordable housing professionals navigate changing compliance requirements with confidence.

Need Help Calculating the 2027 COLA?

Not sure how to calculate the updated Social Security benefits for your residents? Simply Compliance LLC (SCAH) is here to help!

We can provide COLA calculation worksheets to help your team accurately calculate anticipated annual income, or offer training on income calculations to help your staff understand the process and feel more confident completing certifications.

Whether you need a practical tool for your team or hands-on training to strengthen your compliance processes, SCAH can help make income calculations easier to understand and apply.

Contact Simply Compliance LLC today to learn more about our worksheets and training services!

Affordable Housing Made Simple.

For the official announcement and additional details, visit the Social Security Administration’s COLA website.