At a time when the Census Bureau is predicting that the number of Americans age 50 and up will increase 30 percent in the next 20 years – from 100 million in 2010 to 130 million in 2030 – it’s clear that meeting a growing range of needs for older adults is set to become one of the nation’s most timely policy issues.
In particular, housing that is affordable, accessible and well-connected to services is essential to addressing the housing challenges that older adults face. These are the findings of a new report released today by AARP’s Public Policy Institute and authored by the Center for Housing Policy, NHC’s research affiliate, entitled Insight on the Issues: Strategies to Meet the Housing Needs of Older Adults. The report provides a comprehensive look at available and new research on the housing needs of older adults and is intended to help state and local policymakers address the unique housing needs of the older population. Insight on the Issues emphasizes the importance of building and preserving a wide-range of housing options that are sufficient to meet future demand and located in livable communities that provide affordable and appropriate housing, supportive community features and services, and adequate mobility options.
The report summarizes findings outlined in a series of nine fact sheets, which has been expanded into an online toolkit on HousingPolicy.org – the Center for Housing Policy’s online guide to state and local housing policy solutions. The report and toolkit are divided into three distinct sections: 1) Accessible, Safe and Affordable Homes; 2) Social Services and Transportation; and 3) Housing Options Geared to Older Adults.
The video below features Keith Wardrip, a senior research associate at the Center for Housing Policy, who speaks about the new report and its related online resources.
Keith Wardrip: Meeting the Housing Needs of America’s Over 50 Population
To learn more, please Read the Full Release.