I'm wondering if a welfare check is appropriate for my mid 50s aged roommate?

I think I would start with the landlord - cat urine can quickly destroy an apartment and make for very expensive repairs so they should be interested in getting that under control.
I've never heard of shared tenancy in an income controlled apartment - are you on the lease or is this a side deal with your room mate?

Buy a mask and clean the litterbox.

Or take the cats to a shelter. It is unfair to the animals.

If you do your laundry in that environment are you sure you don't smell like a dirty cat box?

My brother and his wife didn't clean the litterbox at their house and I took the cat. They were mad but tough, animals cannot up and leave an unsuitable environment.

Yes, reasons why you can't deal with it are excuses. There are many ways to deal and you have been asking for advice for 3 days. Have you done anything to remedy the situation?

You moved in with a person that had cats and you are allergic to cats. That is a red flag for me and it sounds like you are trying to get her moved out or in trouble with the housing agency. You say no but you keep asking how to get it dealt with. Clean the litterbox that's how you deal with it and by the way, I know they kick the waste all over the floor when the box is to full, then they will use the house, you live like this and say you cannot do anything because of allergies. Nonsense.

You moved in with her. Right?
Are things significantly different now than then?
Im not familiar with how this housing style works but did she have a choice about you moving in? Did she have to take you? Now you want her out?
I don’t mind cats but my husband is severely allergic and it seems that many cat lovers grow ‘nose blind.
I don’t think you’ll get anywhere with a welfare check but if you haven’t been able to make her understand how disgusting living like this is to you, then maybe this will make a difference.
To me. You need to move since she had the cats when you moved in. A preexisting condition so to speak. But believe me I do understand how awful it can be for cats not properly cared for. I’ve bern there with daughter.

The only thing I can say is clean the litterbox.

I get they are not your animals but sheesh, at what point do you live like that instead of scooping the litterbox everyday.

If not that, load them up and take them to a shelter, it is unfair to the animals, they can't do anything about it.

There is obviously mental illness involved to live in a filthy cat house. That is stink that permeates everything.

Well. With bereavement in the mix, and the fact that she's made no progress but actually got worse over the last 6-8 months, then yes by all means see what you can do to bring in some kind of intervention from social workers. The lady needs help and it doesn't sound as if she's able to reach for it herself.

Please stay in touch, let us know how you're getting on.

Call animal welfare get the cats out of there, they deserve better.

I think the woman needs a well check but...I would not be surprised if your told she can live the way she wants, You may want to call the Health Dept. You r in an unsanitary enviroment. Are you or both of you on HUDD? If so, you are entitled to have a sanitary place to live. And HUDD has a responsibility to the Landlord to make sure those getting HUDD are keeping the house up.

I think you may have to bite the bullet and move out. As a person collecting SSI the Social Service Dept should be able to find you a place. You are entitled to foodstamps, help with utilities etc.

Your roommate recently had two knee replacements, correct? And lost her husband as well. It may be very hard for her to get down to clean those litter boxes and she did not anticipate how difficult it would be. You moved in around this time. Weren’t you aware of the situation prior to moving in?
My husband is allergic to cats - so much so he begins wheezing and needs to get out of wherever he is if there is a cat. He literally can’t breathe if he visits a home with a cat.
My suggestion would be to help her out and, as above, clean the litter boxes. This woman did you a favor by offering you a place to live when you needed one.
You were aware she had cats prior to moving in, yes? Why would you agree to move in?
If I were you I would put myself on the list of one bedroom apartments. I too never heard of rent being split in a HUDD program. My brother lives in one and his rent is based on his SSDI income. He does not qualify for a two bedroom apt.
Can’t you move in with your sister? She lives next door, you said.
It does sound to me that you want her out so you can have the two level townhouse next to your sister for yourself. Work with your roommate and show her some kindness. She was there first, so it’s on you to move, imo. I couldn’t live with myself if I caused her to be kicked out. The managing office is aware of the situation; the only alternative I see is you moving out.

Aren't 3 cats above the pet limit at most HUD housing complexes?

The cats wiil not go in a dirty cat litter box. The smell is more likely from urine in another place than the litter boxes. Have you checked behind the washer for the cat poop?

Additionally, if an un-neutered male cat lives there, he may be spraying his territory. Another horrible smell.

Your roommate is obviously mentally not with it. She will not change. People who get to that point dont comprehend all that is more than odd about their behavior. At least put a mask on and clean the litter boxes. These cats deserve some humanity from humans supposedly caring for them. All this banter back and forth is just stalling a terrible situation. Help the cats who have no say and remove yourself or her. People who need their situations changed will never arrive at that decision on their own. Even ones less sound of mind don't like change. Neither my late MIL or my mother wanted to leave their homes but circumstances necissated that they had to. This environment sounds beyond toxic. You need to force a change for the eventual well being of all involved. Hope you find the strength to do it. So many come on this site with difficult situations, receive sound advice and then are lost in terms of communication. I hope you can be someone who can make a change and then if you do and feel up to it notify this post with an update so that so many who have cared to suggest decisions know they helped you and at least poor animals are still neglected not to mention you and the roommate. Everyone in this situation needs a major change. I hope it happens for you.