Upzoned How To Handle the Looming Shortage of Senior Housing
Feb 19, 2025
Norm Van Eeden Petersman, Director of Movement Building for Strong Towns, dives into the looming shortfall in senior housing as baby boomers age. He explores innovative solutions for diverse living options, including repurposing suburban homes and creating intergenerational communities. The discussion highlights the importance of community-centric designs, like Alzheimer's villages, that prioritize dignity and social interaction. Norm also addresses the broader implications of demographic shifts and the urgent need for affordable housing strategies.
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Senior Housing Market Shift
- The U.S. senior housing market will shift from surplus to shortage as baby boomers turn 80 by 2030.
- Developers hesitate to build new due to costs, focusing on acquiring existing luxury communities, raising affordability concerns.
Wide Spectrum of Senior Housing
- Senior housing is broadly defined from independent living to nursing care, complicating the market.
- The large suburban homes boomers live in may flood the market, possibly easing housing supply issues.
Success With Incremental Senior Housing
- A woman sold half her property to her niece and used the income to build an age-in-place backyard unit.
- This incremental approach offers seniors desirable alternatives to large senior housing communities.
