If a participant ceases to reside in a qualifying dwelling unit, or if the participant’s total ownership interest in the qualifying dwelling unit is transferred to one or more co-owners in that unit, or if both of these events occur, a co-owner may assume the participant’s account by applying to the authority if the co-owner resides in the qualified dwelling unit. Upon approval of the application, and if the co-owner is 65 years of age or older, the co-owner shall become a participant in the program and shall qualify for program loans. A co-owner who has not attained the age of 65 at the time of application under this section may assume the account of a participant but shall not become a participant or qualify for program loans until the co-owner attains the age of 65.