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.
Trump Administration Could Effectively End Housing Voucher Program
Federal officials are eyeing major cuts to the Section 8 program that helps millions of low-income households pay rent.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Ken Jennings Launches Transit Web Series
The Jeopardy champ wants you to ride public transit.
Driving Equity and Clean Air: California Invests in Greener School Transportation
California has awarded $500 million to fund 1,000 zero-emission school buses and chargers for educational agencies as part of its effort to reduce pollution, improve student health, and accelerate the transition to clean transportation.
Congress Moves to End Reconnecting Communities and Related Grants
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee moved to rescind funding for the Neighborhood Equity and Access program, which funds highway removals, freeway caps, transit projects, pedestrian infrastructure, and more.
From Throughway to Public Space: Taking Back the American Street
How the Covid-19 pandemic taught us new ways to reclaim city streets from cars.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Ada County Highway District
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions
Salt Lake City
NYU Wagner Graduate School of Public Service