What do they mean by "up to" in low income senior housing?

Mom has applied for low income senior housing in a brand new place. The lowest income limits is up to $19K a year for renting 30% below market value for a 1 person 1 bedroom apt. The next level up is "up to $39,000 income limit" for 60% of market value. Mom is 93 and was told she had a 'good chance" by the office of Peabody properties that she could get the lowest income: her income is $1,000 but she has 75k in the bank. Now the staff told her she didn't get in the lowest level: it was filled already and she is too poor for the next level.
Any help or comments? She is very upset! She wanted to do all this herself without any help from me, her daughter.