Housing America's Seniors

America's growing elderly population is reshaping the market for elderly housing, forcing policymakers, community planners, and housing developers to modify their approach to housing seniors. One in 8 Americans today is a senior citizen, compared with only 1 in 25 at the dawn of the 20th century. By 2030, when most baby boomers will have retired, this ratio will have increased to 1 in 5. In Housing America's Seniors, the Joint Center for Housing Studies uses data from a wide range of sources—including the 1997 American Housing Survey and the 1993 National Institute on Aging's Assets and Health Dynamics—to document how America is aging and how the burgeoning senior population is influencing the housing industry. The Joint Center is interested in providing leaders in government, business, and the nonprofit sector with the knowledge and tools to formulate effective senior housing policies and strategies.