Survey: Americans Finding it Harder to ‘Age in Place’

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.