In the next decade, the number of middle-income seniors who can't afford assisted living will nearly double.
Over half of middle-class seniors will be unable to access assisted living in the next decade, according to a new study.
By 2029, about 14.4 million middle-income Americans over the age of 75 will be unable to afford housing with personal care assistance—more than double the number today. In the Boston Globe, Robert Weisman explains that researchers call this group the “forgotten middle”: people who can’t afford private assisted living but also don’t qualify for subsidized home care.
"The study is seen as a springboard for a national push to create new assisted-living models and accelerate construction of assisted-living units for middle-income residents," Weisman reports.
"There's no real model for middle-income people to retire and live securely," one advocate told Weisman. Non-profits are working to create "an alternative system to support the whole baby boomer generation," which would include building more middle-income senior housing, creating new pricing models, and strengthening Medicare plans as well as retirement funds.
FULL STORY: More than half of middle-income seniors will lack resources for housing and care, study says
Housing Inequality More Apparent in Older Populations
A new report from the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University digs into the housing market for older Americans, finding more evidence of a widening gap between each end of the wealth spectrum.
A Case for Integrating Housing and Healthcare Services
Connecting affordable housing and healthcare programs can improve both—especially for seniors and disabled people.
How the Twin Cities Transports its Aging Population
Dave Beal provides thorough coverage of the demographic and geographic challenges facing transportation for the aging in the Twin Cities region, where the need for such services is increasing as the population ages.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
The state-sanctioned urbicide of Austin
People don’t kill cities. Freeways do.
US to reduce Colorado River water deliveries to Mexico
A new Colorado Treaty amendment reduces Mexico’s Colorado River water allocation by 250,000 acre feet.
5 New England states march closer to 800 megawatt wind energy project
Securing federal approval for the project may be complicated under the Trump administration, which has historically been hostile towards domestic wind power.
Baltimore to break ground on $50 million Transit Priority Project
The project will bring faster bus trips, safer streets and better bike connections to Baltimore.
Airbnb launches $250 million 'last-dollar financing' housing accelerator, makes first investment in Austin
The company will put $6.4 million towards affordable housing development in Texas’ capital.
FREE Course: Walkable City 1: Why Walkability?
After describing his path towards focusing on walkability as the essence of good planning, Jeff Speck marches through his five principal reasons for making more walkable places.
Reinventing Malls: Planning Alchemy—Turning Gray Fields Into Gold
The course focuses on the opportunities and imperatives that shape reinvention of mall sites.
Eagle County Government
Harvard University Graduate School of Design
Nashville Planning Department
The Architects Foundation
University of Cincinnati Online
The Pocatello Development Authority
The Urban Renewal Agency of the City of Pocatello
Journal of the American Planning Association