To understand the challenges older adults face in maintaining secure and stable housing, we asked participants about the type, suitability, and affordability of their current living arrangements.
Types of Housing
Participants reported a range of housing situations, from homeownership to shared living with family, reflecting both economic diversity and varying levels of independence:
- Own my home – 10 respondents (32.3%)
- Senior housing – 7 respondents (22.6%)
- Renting (non-senior housing) – 6 respondents (19.4%)
- Living with family or others – 6 respondents (19.4%)
- Other (e.g., Section 8 housing) – 1 respondent (3.2%)
- Not answered (N/A) – 1 respondent (3.2%)
Homeownership remains common, though not always an indicator of housing satisfaction. A significant number of participants live in rental or shared settings, highlighting the range of options and constraints older adults face in the region.
Does Your Current Housing Meet Your Needs?
When asked if their housing met their needs—physically, emotionally, and socially—responses were varied:
- Yes, completely – 12 respondents (38.7%)
- Yes, but some aspects could be improved – 10 respondents (32.3%)
- No, it doesn’t meet my needs – 5 respondents (16.1%)
- Not sure – 3 respondents (9.7%)
- Not answered (N/A) – 1 respondent (3.2%)
Common issues included lack of accessibility features, deferred maintenance, or a mismatch with their social and emotional needs—especially among those who had recently relocated or were isolated from previous communities.
Housing Affordability
- Very affordable – 10 respondents (32.3%)
- Somewhat affordable – 15 respondents (48.4%)
- Not affordable – 4 respondents (12.9%)
- Not sure – 1 respondent (3.2%)
- Not answered (N/A) – 1 respondent (3.2%)
While a majority (80.7%) reported that their housing is at least somewhat affordable, many still emphasized the difficulty of covering rent, utilities, and other basic expenses. Notably, those who had relocated to surrounding towns in search of more affordable housing still reported financial strain and trade-offs in transportation and community connection.