Senior Citizen Housing
Senior housing and independent living are viable options for individuals who do not require assistance with daily activities. These options are particularly sought after by seniors looking to leverage the financial benefits of selling their homes and those who no longer want the burdens of home maintenance. Furthermore, seniors are increasingly drawn to communities offering services and amenities, often termed “active adult” living.
The demand for senior housing and independent living is projected to surge over the next decade, potentially making it one of the fastest-growing segments in the industry. This heightened interest reflects the evolving needs and preferences of older adults seeking comfortable and supportive living environments.
Most senior living communities are situated in urban areas — regions within or surrounding a city. Residents in urban independent living communities have easy access to city amenities; however, the proximity to all these perks typically translates to a higher cost of living. Contrary to urban locations, rural settings feature lower population rates, lower cost of living, and often hiking trails and a more laid-back pace of living. On the other hand, being farther away from urban areas means there can be fewer amenities.
Today, there are more than 46 million senior adults over age 65 living in the U.S.; by 2050, that number is expected to grow to almost 90 million. Between 2020 and 2030 alone, the number of older adults is projected to increase by almost 18 million. According to the U.S. Census, by 2030, 1 in 5 persons in the U.S. will be over 65, with rural areas tending to have a higher percentage of older adults and an increasingly older population.
Rural communities have long faced unique challenges. Some of these include lower median incomes, older housing infrastructure, large aging populations, and substandard infrastructure relative to their metropolitan counterparts. Because rural towns are so small, they often cannot afford social services necessary for senior citizens. Yet, a greater percentage of seniors elect to remain in their rural settings due to less crime, cost of living, and close proximity to family.
he sad fact for these rural senior citizens is that there have been less desirable senior housing options in rural areas.
Advancing Communities Forward desires to break that trend by partnering with rural communities and municipalities to build senior communities with 800-square-foot one-bedroom cottages centered around amenities such as a park, walking trails, pickleball courts, and a community center.
Through an aggressive fundraising campaign involving local, state, and national foundations, coupled with federal housing assistance programs, ACF can offer a rural municipality the ability to provide their senior citizens with an affordable quality senior living environment.
For “bedroom communities” with little to no commerce and/or ad valorem tax, a partnership with Advancing Communities Forward via their Helping Hands initiative can provide the municipality funding to accomplish a major road project and/or other needed municipal services.
