With the growth of our aging population, the need for accessible, supportive and affordable housing suitable for older adults is increasing. It is clear that housing inequality becomes even more evident for the 65-and-over age group. According to a 2019 report by the Joint Center for Housing Studies of Harvard University (JCHS), between 2012 and 2017, the number of households headed by someone 65 or older jumped from 27 million to 31 million and will continue to grow. This presents challenges in many communities across the US, including ours.
A new program launched by JCHS called Housing an Aging Society (HAS) Program aims to deepen the understanding of the implications of aging populations. Their five main priorities are ones we hope to emulate while developing Renaissance Ridge – a unique and special intergenerational housing community made up of custom cottages and homes.
First and foremost, this will be a sustainable community. Not only do we hope to create a “green” development strategy to receive Virginia’s first “Virginia Sustainable Community” designation, we also are going to develop an energy-efficient housing community where more people who qualify can afford to buy and stay in a home without spending more than 30% of their income for housing. Roughly a quarter of all households with someone 65 or older heading the household before the pandemic were paying more than the recommended 30% for shelter. And this is bound to increase after these last few years.
Secondly, another goal important to seniors will be to make our homes accessible from a mobility standpoint. Allowing for handicap accessibility as well as universal design elements that will also support senior living. Some of the homes will also incorporate designs that promote alternative living arrangements such as shared housing, multigenerational households, and intentional communities to give seniors the options that come with aging in place.
We also plan to develop ample green spaces and pet-friendly amenities to increase not only the quality of livability at Renaissance Ridge for all community members but also to provide safe spaces for people to walk and cohabitate away from the impacts of automobiles.
Homes in Renaissance Ridge will also feature advanced digital technology that will support the delivery of healthcare, educational amenities, and connectivity with friends and family which are evidence-based ways to improve one’s physical and mental well-being.
By bringing together the collective experience of many experts in this area and paying close attention to recent housing trends, we hope to create a community of quality homes for the diversity that comes with this growing aging population and families.
