NORCs: Naturally Occurring Retirement Communities

As the population ages, an increasing number of elderly are creating their own retirement communities by simply staying put.

1 minute read

March 24, 2003, 5:00 AM PST

By Chris Steins @planetizen


"Simply by staying put, people are creating what experts call 'naturally occurring retirement communities,' or NORCs: neighborhoods or apartment buildings where a large percentage of residents are seniors. Yeganeh and Friedman have been able to stay put with help from a state program that assists the them with adapting their housing to their age... Now, a federal effort is underway to encourage the trend. Congress has awarded funding to 12 communities nationwide for services to help older people remain in their homes, its second round of assistance for such communities."

Thanks to Laura Kranz

Sunday, March 23, 2003 in The Los Angeles Times

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