Center for an Urban Future’s Post

#HousingCommunitySummmit: Our society is getting older, as we well know, so we're here at the Health and Housing Theatre, sponsored by Aico, to hear more about it. 'Are we equipped for an ageing population?', with: Debra Edwards, James Green, Josie Bishton, Holly Holder, and chaired by Ashley Campbell. Holly, from Centre for Ageing Better, says we all benefit if people are able to age well. But we're not in a good place in terms of accessible housing to enable this. The vast majority of older people live in mainstream general needs housing. In the next 40 years we are expecting the number of people aged 80 and over to increase 100%. So we need homes that are accessible and adaptable, as well as care and support. 8m people are living in homes that non decent and potentially damaging their health, including some 2m older people. Need to think about quality of private rented sector. Most older people own their own home because they were able to buy when prices and incomes were much better aligned. But poverty among older people crosses all tenures. There is a severe shortage of accessible homes, Holly points out, and we're still building homes that don't adequately meet accessibility requirements. Josie, from Orbit Group, says the needs of our ageing population are changing, so they are working on changing their service provision. The demographics are changing; more people now from ethnic minority communities, more LGBT+ people, etc. She goes on to explain Orbit's housing pathway plan to help older customers. They have found that a lot of people think extra care homes are a care home, rather than for independent living, so there are misconceptions to challenge. Launched a pilot of their Ageing Well Hubs, offering a variety of support and advice. Debra offers a harrowing and personal story about the positive value of adaptable and accessible housing. She faced a struggle to have her home adapted after she became disabled, and she explained the impact of that on her and her family. Debra went on to say how empowering the adaptations are, the difference they make to her ability to live independently, and how she is campaigning to help others keep their independence too. A lot of older people want what Debra has again, the dignity to fend for themselves. James, from Westminster City Council, tells how the borough is a tale of two cities, with a great many of its population living in social housing. It has 1,000 new social homes in the pipeline, including homes for older people. The borough faces the prospect of 80,000 ageing people needing more suitable accommodation. James talks about some of the developments being done to address the needs of its ageing population, including homes for people with dementia. We're proud of what we have achieved so far, James says, but it's just the tip of the iceberg; a lot more to do, and a lot more to learn. #ukhousing #socialhousing

Seniors seem more receptive to roommates as they tackle housing costs https://ift.tt/axr6O0M Older Americans who seek out younger roommates to stay on top of high housing costs is not a new concept, but there is evidence to suggest that the trend is growing more popular. This is according to a recent podcast episode hosted by Boston-based NPR affiliate WBUR. Jennifer Molinsky, director of the Housing an Aging Society Program at Harvard University‘s Joint Center for Housing Studies (JCHS), described how the idea of baby boomers seeking out roommates could be gaining favor among an older populace that is challenged to make ends meet with housing while living on a fixed income. “Among older adults, it’s just under a million people are living with unrelated other folks and without any other family,” Molinsky said. “And that’s under 2% of the older adult population. About half of those are people living with other older adults, and about 38% are older adults who are living with younger people, and the rest are some more complicated relationships.” But the data suggests growth in these living arrangements, she explained. “The numbers have grown,” Molinsky said. “That’s doubled since 2006 as the older population has grown, and it’s edging up in the percentile as well. […] I think there’s a number of reasons. Housing costs are rising all across the age [and] income spectrums, frankly, moving up into middle-income folks having a harder time paying for housing. The older population is growing. We’ve got the leading edge of the baby boomers on the cusp of turning 80.” On top of that, the U.S. population is growing older more quickly. The 80-and-over population is expected to double over the next 20 years, Molinsky said, and with that growth also comes the recognition of certain realities that seniors face. “We’re recognizing both the dangers of social isolation and also the need for older adults — especially when they reach their late seventies, eighties and beyond — to have some more help around the house. So I think all these reasons are combining to make this model particularly attractive.” Of the 56 million older U.S. adults, roughly 15 million live alone, Molinsky said. Many of these people are also mismatched to their homes, meaning that the homes are far larger than they need or they are unable to properly maintain them. “Over 11 million of those households have homes that are two or more bedrooms,” she said. “So there’s a great deal of potential. And of course, we don’t know the uses to which those bedrooms are being put, guest rooms and all that. But I think it just shows that there’s a big potential. Most older adults do live in single family homes. Most single family homes have more than one bedroom.” The reverse mortgage industry also plays a part in this trend. In 2018, Finance of America (FOA) entered into a partnership with senior homesharing platform Silvernest, which occurred in conjunction with a rebranding initia...

The affordable housing crisis is hitting seniors hard, and a recent NPR report paints a stark picture of the challenges ahead. As baby boomers age, the demand for affordable, accessible housing is reaching unprecedented levels, yet the supply falls drastically short. This growing gap in affordable senior housing presents a critical challenge for health plans. Ensuring that aging members have access to suitable, financially viable living options is essential. Innovative housing solutions that cater to both the financial and physical needs of our aging population are more than just a necessity; they're integral to maintaining the dignity and quality of life for millions of seniors. https://lnkd.in/dvtAJ2xN

Our mission addresses the diverse needs of various populations: youth aging out of foster care, transitioning youth, maternal populations, Medicaid recipients with chronic health issues, and older adults. Each group faces unique challenges, and we’re here with a spectrum of services—from home remediation and housing navigation to transitions to specialized care. Rethinking housing means embracing innovative solutions. At Upside, we envision a future where stable, affordable housing is a reality for all. https://lnkd.in/eyPbEBKV

Preparation can ease the process of aging in place: WSJ https://ift.tt/hNjKdq2 As a vast majority of older adults prefer to remain in their current homes as they age, a key to successfully aging in place lies in preparation and adequate understanding of the dwelling, according to a new examination by the The Wall Street Journal. The report cited 2021 data from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies, which showed that nearly nine in 10 people age 65 and older lived in their own homes, but an ongoing issue relates to the homes themselves. Many are not adequately equipped to accommodate older residents. Wider doorways that can accommodate wheelchairs, grab bars and non-slip mats in bathrooms, and uneven surfaces between room thresholds are just a few common issues seen in many homes. Modifications that can retrofit a home to minimize falls or other potential challenges can be key. But paid in-home care may also be necessary, and the financial obligations for such care can be underestimated, according to Ken Dychtwald, co-founder and CEO of Age Wave, a company that specializes in aging issues. “You have to consider the variables when you grow older,” Dychtwald told the outlet. “We think about child-proofing a home. How do you age-proof a home?” Health research nonprofit KFF found that roughly half of the 65-and-older population “have had serious conversations with loved ones about future needs,” the Journal reported. That figure needs to go way up, Dychtwald said. “Frank discussions with kids can be unnerving,” he said. “We talk about vacations and hopes and dreams for their lives. We need to have the same discussion about what to do when we get older.” Adult children can help, but if the parents aren’t volunteering enough information about the responsibilities they can absorb, then the adult children will need to lay out what they can and cannot contribute. The type of home itself can also be an issue, particularly if it has a lot of steps. These create hazards for older people since aging brings naturally occurring mobility issues, so living in a one-story home with no steps makes for an ideal aging-in-place environment. But according to additional Harvard research, less than half of U.S. adults between the ages of 65 and 79 lived in “single-floor homes with a no-step entry,” a stark reality when considering that nearly one-quarter of older Americans endure a fall each year. Andy Miller, who began AARP’s AgeTech Collaborative to bring technology companies together and offer aging-in-place solutions, spoke about the growing virtues of smart-home technology. These can allow tasks and devices in a home to be voice-activated. He has seen firsthand the benefits of such platforms with his own elderly parents, who live in Florida. “They have voice-enabled everything,” he told the Journal. Miller is overseeing construction of a new home with wood floors that contain no thresholds, which might cause a tripping hazard in later...

Older Americans in Senior Housing Have Better Health Than Those Living at Home A new study suggests that senior living communities may be better for older adults' health than independent living situations, states HealthDay. Ray Braun, CEO and president of the National Investment Center (NIC) for Seniors Housing & Care, said, "Senior housing residences can be a center for wellness and healthy aging for older adults, with positive outcomes for those who call it home." Researchers with NORC at the University of Chicago tracked common high-cost health problems among seniors, comparing older adults who moved into senior housing communities starting in 2017 to a similar group of seniors who kept living out in the community. Older adults in senior living communities were less likely to be hospitalized for injuries, wounds, and other ...

"In the U.S., millions of older adults struggle to afford both housing and the long-term care (LTC) services they increasingly require as they age," writes Samara Scheckler and Peyton Whitney in the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies. In fact, only 14 percent of adults age 75 and older who live alone can afford a daily home health aide visit after housing and other living costs. Older adults need more options for affordable homeownership in order to successfully manage the burden of housing and care. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/gAexwsNH #olderadults #olderadultsandhousing #housing #seniorhousing #longtermcare #housingcrisis

Rock Hill has earned more high praise as one of the nation's best places to live — this time, for families. The York County city landed at No. 41 on Fortune magazine's ranking of the "50 Best Places to Live for Families" in 2024. Earlier this year, Rock Hill found itself on Money's unranked list of the "50 Best Places to Live in the U.S." Rock Hill — about 27 miles south of Charlotte — was highlighted by Fortune for being a growing city that maintains its suburban feel. Fortune noted Rock Hill’s tech incubator, Knowledge Park, that's spurring redevelopment; a $1.6 million federal grant given to York Technical College last fall in of support workforce development and job creation in the industrial sector; and a historic downtown. Rock Hill's population stood at about 75,654 as of July 2023 — up 0.4% from July 2022 and 1.3% from July 2020. The median price of a Rock Hill home sale in June was $350,000. Its average sale price was $398,759. That compares to a median and average sales price of $409,225 and $523,813, respectively, for the entire Charlotte region. Fortune's ranking focuses on the best places for multigenerational families, recognizing that a growing number of Americans are raising children alongside taking care of their aging parents. It features a city in each state where multigenerational families are most likely to find access to great schools, highly recommended hospitals, affordable housing, resources for older adults and a strong sense of community. "As a growing number of people find themselves in the sandwich generation — squeezed between caring for kids and aging parents — they are increasingly looking for communities that support the needs of caregivers and multigenerational families," said Jennifer Fields, Fortune Well editor. "In our research, the cities that rose to the top were those that had a range of resources and amenities that appeal to their oldest and youngest residents." For the ranking, Fortune looked at more than 2,000 places across the U.S. with at least 20,000 residents. It then whittled that list down to the top place in each state. Fortune analyzed nearly 200 data points across five categories: education, resources for aging adults, general wellness, financial health and livability.

As America’s population rapidly ages and housing costs soar, some states are playing matchmaker and linking young people in need of affordable housing with older adults with room to spare. In these programs, renters pay reduced rent in exchange for a certain number of hours spent helping older homeowners. The model also brings some companionship into households at a time when 1 in 3 older adults report feeling isolated. In Maine, the state housing authority and its partners are rolling out a new home-sharing program. Earlier this year, MaineHousing signed a $200,000 contract with the home-sharing platform Nesterly to create a statewide program matching homeseekers with home providers who offer reduced rent in exchange for companionship and help with household chores. Hosts and prospective tenants submit applications and undergo thorough background checks before they are paired based on needs and compatibility. In addition to facilitating matchmaking and writing up a formal agreement, Nesterly employees check in with the host and tenant monthly for the duration of the agreement to ensure both parties are still satisfied with the living situation. Learn more here:

Many senior households find themselves cost-burdened, meaning they spend more than 30 percent of their monthly income on housing. In 2021, 11.2 million older adults were facing severe cost burdens, spending more than 50 percent of their income on housing costs. Housing cost burdens make it hard to afford food, medicine, and other basic needs. https://lnkd.in/gVeBe_ww #BestoftheSeacoast2023WinnerBestLawFirm #BestoftheSeacoast2023finalist #Brennanrogerspllchattrick #BestoftheSeacoast2022WinnerBestLawFirm #Bestoftheseacoast2021WinnerBestLawFirm #smiliegrogers #marykathrynbrennan #brennanrogerspllc #pllcrogers #planningforlifestranstions #newenglandestateplanning #myestateplan #estateplanning #maineestateattorney #digitalhereinafter #elderlaw #probate #MaineCare #kennebunk #york #portland #zoom #Maine #affordablehousing