Housing Policy

Supporting development of various senior living community models, encouraging developers to incorporate universal design, creating flexible zoning rules, and providing assistance for aging-in-place retrofits are some policy suggestions that could help the nation get ready for the impending silver tsunami, according to the Center for Housing Policy.

“We all know it’s coming—baby boomers are about to swell the ranks of older Americans,” begins the Center’s recently released study looking into the nation’s preparation to house an aging population.

The 65+ population is expected to increase from 40 million to more than 88 million by 2050, encompassing 20% of Americans, according to census data, and the 85+ population will triple during this timeframe to 19 million.

“Demand for housing will shift dramatically and the need for services to help older adults age in place will grow exponentially,” the researchers say, citing an AARP survey that 90% of respondents wish to remain in their homes “as long as possible.”

However, the nation’s old, poor households are faced with severe housing cost burdens, and it will be necessary to pay more attention to housing and supportive services for the aging population, especially as nearly half of low-income seniors spend more than half of their income on housing.