While many people over 65 would prefer to stay in their homes and communities, high housing costs and a lack of accessible infrastructure make it difficult.
Housing policies and community infrastructure in many U.S. cities are not keeping up with demand as Americans age, according to a survey conducted by the AARP. Three-quarters of survey respondents said they wanted to remain in their current homes, explains Ysabelle Kempe in Smart Cities Dive.
As the baby boomer generation gets older, the number of adults over 65 is higher than ever. “Meanwhile, housing and care are becoming less affordable and accessible for older adults, defined as those who are at least 65 years old, according to a 2023 report from Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.” Based on the AARP survey, 11.2 million Americans over 65 spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing. The accessibility — or lack thereof — of homes is also an issue for many older Americans who can’t afford to retrofit their homes or who live in rental housing.
To address these needs, the AARP recommends that policymakers support and expand rental assistance programs such as the Housing Choice Voucher program, support zoning reforms that encourage missing middle housing types like accessory dwelling units, and adopt Complete Streets policies that make cities more walkable and livable at any age.
FULL STORY: Housing policies must improve to meet older adults’ needs, AARP says
Building Age-Friendly Homes
Designing for the unique needs of elderly people can help them maintain social connections and mental acuity.
LGBTQ+ Elders Face Compounded Challenges in Accessing Fair and Equitable Housing
Lessons for building affirming, inclusive, and trauma-informed housing developments for older LGBTQ+ adults.
Report Highlights Housing Insecurity Among Seniors
Older Americans face rising mortgage debt, high costs for medical care and assistance, and a dearth of accessible housing.
Rethinking Redlining
For decades we have blamed 100-year-old maps for the patterns of spatial racial inequity that persist in American cities today. An esteemed researcher says: we’ve got it all wrong.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
California High-Speed Rail's Plan to Right Itself
The railroad's new CEO thinks he can get the project back on track. The stars will need to align this summer.
San Francisco Muni Raises Fares a Second Time
A 10–cent fare hike for adults is part of the agency’s plan to chip away at a growing budget deficit.
Electric Grid Capacity Could Hamstring EV Growth
Industry leaders say the U.S. electric grid is unprepared for the increased demand for power created by electric cars, data centers, and electric homes.
Texas Bill Supports Adaptive Reuse in Commercial Areas
Senate Bill 840, which was preliminarily approved by the state House, would allow residential construction in areas previously zoned for offices and commercial uses.
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.
City of Camden Redevelopment Agency
City of Astoria
Transportation Research & Education Center (TREC) at Portland State University
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions