"America is graying," according to the Census Bureau. "The nation’s 65-and-older population is projected to nearly double in size in coming decades, from 49 million in 2016 to 95 million people in 2060. As a result, the share of people aged 65 and older will grow from about 15 percent in 2016 to nearly a quarter of the population in 2060."
That's a huge demographic shift, and it's one that's already started. By 2035, 11.8 million Americans are expected to be 85 years or older, reckons the Census Bureau, up from 6.35 million in 2020. That's almost a doubling within the coming decade in the number of people achieving a milestone that — with life expectancy for Americans across both sexes at 78.4 years — is currently beyond the reach of most of us.
So, how are developers and federal, state and local governments planning to manage this enormous change to the dynamics of housing?
Zoning Yet Again an Issue
We've recently covered a couple of instances where local zoning commissions block applications for multifamily housing and manufactured homes, despite both these forms of development providing significant ways to reduce the nationwide housing shortage.
This may be beginning to change, but at a glacial pace. "The longtime preference for single-family zoning in state laws and municipal ordinances will not disappear overnight," says the National Association of Realtors® (NAR). "But the housing crunch, and especially the need for more affordable housing, is driving changes in several states, counties and cities."
Of particular interest to seniors are the zoning issues that face many when they want to build an accessory dwelling unit (ADU) in their backyard. ADUs can take many forms. They can be attached or detached from the principal home on the plot, and may be built from scratch, or over (or as a conversion of) existing garages, or as attic or basement conversions.
As independent homes, ADUs have, as a minimum, a living and sleeping area, a kitchen or kitchenette, and a bathroom. Larger ones can provide much more and be as comfortable as any single-family home.
ADUs are an obvious choice for homeowners who want to have aging parents or in-laws close by, especially when health issues make proximity a necessity. Yet zoning commissions set up sometimes immovable obstacles to their construction.
And, even when a commission wants to allow ADUs, NIMBYs can still get in their way. The NAR cites a case in Arlington, Va., where a county board and zoning commission voted to allow more units, only to be taken to court by local residents: a case of not in their backyard.
Seniors' Housing Challenges
"About 75% of those 50 and older want to remain in their homes as they age," says The Wall Street Journal, quoting Shannon Guzman, AARP’s senior director for housing and livable communities. But many won't get their way.
Some will find health issues defeat them, forcing them into care homes. A different Journal article last year suggested the median annual cost of 24-hour in-home care had then reached $290,000 nationwide, a sum many can't afford.
Mobility issues can be equally problematic. Many seniors live in older homes they've owned for decades. Few will have elevators. And even single-story homes are rarely designed to facilitate wheelchair access, with doorways often too narrow for those chairs to pass through.
Of course, it's usually possible to install elevators, widen doorways, and upgrade bathrooms with easy-access wetroom showers and grab handles. But many are likely to find the costs prohibitive.
Other seniors without health or mobility issues will be unable to cope with their new loneliness when they become widows or widowers.
Seniors' Own Solutions
Seniors are increasingly finding their own solutions to the easier of their challenges, according to the Wall Street Journal article we first referred to. "About 990,000 older adults were living with unrelated housemates or roommates in 2023, which is up 8.8% since 2021, and more than double the number two decades ago," said the Journal, quoting Jennifer Molinsky of Harvard University’s Joint Center for Housing Studies.
In other words, nearly 1 million seniors are sharing homes with friends and sometimes with strangers. This arrangement can provide companionship, mutual support and a house sitter for those who travel.
It can also allow chores and expenses to be shared. And expenses can be quite a burden: "Mean housing costs for Americans 65 and older, including mortgage or rent, property taxes, insurance, utilities and maintenance, added up to $1,787 a month in 2023, accounting for 35.7 percent of retirees’ spending, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics," says an AARP article.
Plenty are choosing younger roommates, perhaps in the hope of finding new energy and freshness. But others, several of whom featured in the Journal article, are looking for people around their own age who might share the homeowner's experience and outlook. Both have their advantages and disadvantages.
Of course, it's important to find a roommate who is trustworthy and compatible. An AARP article suggests ways of finding someone suitable.
