Dive Brief:
- Findings from an AARP survey of more than 3,000 U.S. adults released Tuesday reflect that a large majority of adults ages 50 and older want to stay in their current homes and communities as they age. However, housing policies and community infrastructure are not keeping up with this need, AARP says.
- The nonprofit, which advocates for adults 50 and older, called for policies that expand affordable housing, remove barriers to building accessory dwelling units, support walkable communities and improve broadband access.
- “As people age, affordable and independent living isn’t just a preference — it’s essential for their wellbeing,” Rodney Harrell, AARP vice president of family, home and community, said in a statement. “Most older adults want to stay in their homes, yet rising housing costs and limited options create serious barriers.”
Dive Insight:
The U.S. is seeing unprecedented growth in the population of adults ages 65 and older, a shift propelled by the aging of the large baby-boom generation, according to the Population Reference Bureau. 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.
Older adults hoping to stay in their homes and communities face several challenges, according to AARP. High housing costs — including mortgages, rents, property maintenance and taxes — are motivating older adults to move.
Home accessibility poses another hurdle, with almost half of adults age 50 or older who AARP surveyed saying they will likely need home modifications to support aging in place. About two-thirds of that group said that to continue living safely and independently, they will need a medical alert system and almost half said they need “smart security features” such as security cameras, outside lighting and motion detectors.
Policymakers can take steps to address these barriers, AARP says. The organization said in a press release that it wants to see expansion of rental assistance programs like the federal Housing Choice Voucher program. It also supports expanding the Low Income Housing Tax Credit program to help the private sector build and preserve affordable housing. Additionally, AARP advocates for more broadband access programs like the federal Affordable Connectivity Program, which shut down this year after Congress failed to replenish its funding.
Accessory dwelling units can provide older adults with more flexible living options, AARP says, pointing to recent California legislation that eases local restrictions on this housing type. To make communities more walkable, governments can adopt “Complete Streets” policies by investing in sidewalks, crosswalks and traffic-calming measures.
