Amidst a nationwide affordable housing shortage, seniors facing financial challenges are discovering a solution in intentional, intergenerational communities. Communities like New Life Village in Tampa, Florida, offer not only affordable housing but also a sense of purpose and belonging by fostering collaboration between older adults and families aiming to provide permanent homes for children affected by foster care or trauma.
Cynthia Akins-Owens, 75, found refuge in New Life Village when her rent increased substantially. Now residing in a spacious two-bedroom townhouse, Akins-Owens experiences daily interactions with neighbors and children, and her $985 rent is covered by her Social Security check.
Intentional, intergenerational communities, focusing on common goals such as supporting foster or adoptive parents, injured veterans, or young adults with disabilities, are gaining popularity. The housing model is evident in various locations, including Massachusetts, Oregon, Illinois, and Florida. Some projects, like Genesis in Washington, D.C., house young mothers who aged out of foster care alongside low-income seniors who provide support.
Jennifer Molinsky, project director at the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, highlights the increasing challenges older adults face in securing affordable housing. The America’s Rental Housing 2024 report reveals that, in 2022, 28% of renter households with lower incomes were led by individuals aged 65 or older.
Vickie Miles, 62, currently residing in Columbia, Maryland, faces concerns about housing costs. Considering leaving due to financial constraints, she eyes Patuxent Commons, an intergenerational community breaking ground this summer. Slated to have neurodiverse young adults and individuals of different age groups, Patuxent Commons offers affordable housing options.
Charles Durrett, a co-founder of the U.S. co-housing movement, emphasizes the benefits of co-housing communities, where residents share common property and expenses. He estimates saving at least $1,700 a month through communal living. Beyond financial advantages, Durrett highlights the sense of community and mutual support that arises in co-housing environments.
These intentional housing models provide seniors with affordable homes, a supportive community, and a sense of purpose, offering an alternative to the challenges posed by the escalating costs and decreasing availability of housing.
