Rural America has a large and growing senior population, but also often lacks housing resources and capacity. In fact, most federal housing programs for the elderly have been cut in this current period of budget austerity. How are organizations meeting the growing need while adjusting to changes in HUD and USDA programs? Learn more about changing demographics, policy, and advocacy at this workshop.

1. HOUSING AND THE RURAL 50+
Maicie Jones – Program Manager, AARP Foundation
December 7, 2012

2. AARP Foundation’s Vision and
Mission Led to Four Areas of Focus Foundation Four Impact Areas
Hunger Problem Statement
In America, nearly 9 million people age 50+ are at risk of
hunger.
Income Problem Statement
Over 33 million low income people age 50+ do not have
adequate financial resources and are at risk of not meeting
one or more of their basic needs.
Housing Problem Statement
At least 13 million households headed by low-income, 50+
people live in unaffordable and/or inadequate housing.
Isolation Problem Statement
Low income people age 50+ experience the negative
consequences of isolation, including poor health outcomes,
limited access to resources, and loneliness.
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3. The Housing Impact Area Works to
Solve a Serious Problem
At least 13 million low-income, 50+ households
live in unaffordable and/or inadequate housing.
The Housing Impact Area of AARP Foundation seeks to win back
opportunity for the struggling 50+ through four strategic housing
objectives:
1. Preserve adequacy and affordability within current homes
2. Increase the supply of adequate and affordable housing
3. Raise awareness of the housing needs faced by the low-income 50+
4. Build thought leadership through research and convenings
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4. Increases in Housing Cost Burdens
Have Risen Across All Income Levels
Proportion of 50+ spending 30% or more of income on housing costs
80% 70%
62%
60%
38% 2000
40% 28%
20% 2009
20% 12%
4% 7%
0%
$0-$23,128 $23,128-$47,275 $47,275-$86,195 $86,195+
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5. More Mortgage Debt and Increased
Foreclosure
Percentage of Families with Mortgage Debt
Age of Head 1989 2010 % Change
45-54 58.3 60.4 4%
55–64 37.0 53.6 45%
65–74 21.7 40.5 87%
75+ 6.3 24.2 284%
Foreclosure Rates by Age
2007 2011 % Change
50–64 0.31% 2.98% 861%
65–74 0.25% 2.55% 920%
75+ 0.33% 3.19% 867%
AARP – Nightmare on Main Street: Older Americans and the
Mortgage Crisis
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6. Rural 50+ Also Feel the Effect
From an AARP survey of 2,260 adults aged 45-66:
• 65% of those in rural areas cited cost of living as
being very important or important in choosing
where to live
• 42% of those in rural areas worried that they
would not be able to afford current housing
expenses after retirement
AARP 2011 Boomer Housing Survey
AARP 2011 Boomer Housing Survey
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7. Home Modification to Allow for
Aging in Place Also a Cost Burden
80% of homeowners bear the total cost of
home modification
Declining home values make financing
home modification through home equity
increasingly difficult
36% of rural older adults surveyed indicated
that universal design features may be cost
prohibitive
AARP 2011 Boomer Housing Survey
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8. Aging Homes and Repairs Present a
Problem for Rural Older Adults
50+ Living in Housing Built Before 1970 Surveyed 45-65 in Rural Areas with
Access to:
Own Rent Light Home Repair Service
Contractor
45% 48% Outdoor Maintenance Service
39% 38%
23%
36%
51%
2000 2009
AARP 2011 Boomer Housing Survey
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9. Gap Exists between Importance and
Availability of Services in Rural Areas
Based on Responses from Surveyed Adults 45-65 in Rural Areas
81%
Your doctor's office
48%
A grocery store within 1/2 70%
Important
mile of your home 40%
Present in community
A drug store within 1/2 mile 61%
of your home 38%
Pulbic transit accessible by 42%
walking 25%
AARP 2011 Boomer Housing Survey
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10. Rural Communities Rated Lower by
Surveyed 45-65 Residents
Surveyed Adults 45-65 Rate Their Communities on a Ten-Point Scale
64% 65%
60%
36% 35% 34% High (8-10)
Medium (4-7)
Low (1-3)
3% 1% 1%
Rural Suburban Urban
AARP 2011 Boomer Housing Survey
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11. AARP Foundation Offers Programs to
Improve Housing for Vulnerable 50+
• Housing Solutions Center
• Home Repair Accelerator Grants
• 50+ Housing Research
• Additional Future Programming
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12. Thank You!
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