AARP Hearing Center
Housing is central to community and individual well-being. The type and location of a home can affect almost every aspect of a person’s life. A large majority of older adults want to stay in their homes and communities as they age. Some are concerned that they will not be able to do so. By definition, a livable community contains a range of accessible, affordable, and safe housing options. This ensures that residents of all backgrounds, incomes, and abilities can find appropriate and affordable housing, enabling them to remain in their communities as their needs change.
However, many older adults do not have their housing needs met. A 2025 Urban Institute analysis found that an increasing number and share of older adults are severely housing cost-burdened, spending more than half their gross income on housing. In 2023, nearly 11.7 million households headed by someone age 50 and older were severely cost-burdened, compared with 5.2 million in 2000—more than double. This problem was especially acute for households headed by someone age 75 or older, with one in five such households being severely cost-burdened in 2023. The Urban Institute also found that many older adults live in homes that do not meet their accessibility needs.
Unfortunately, older adults who need to move often face limited options. Most communities are designed with one housing type in mind. For example, some suburbs allow just single-family detached residential homes. In these communities, zoning does not include other housing types, such as duplexes and apartment buildings. This can make it difficult for people with low and moderate incomes to afford to live there. It also provides fewer options for those who may need a different housing type to meet their physical needs or preferences. Having a variety of housing options provides greater choices in neighborhoods. Residents have a better chance of finding housing they can afford in a location that meets their needs.
Homeownership has historically been an important federal policy goal. It is also the most common way families can build wealth. Unlike renters, homeowners’ monthly housing payments build up equity over time. If homeowners can pay off their mortgages, they significantly reduce their housing costs, particularly in their retirement years (see also Home Mortgage Lending).
Although homeowners are less likely to be housing cost burdened than renters, the cost of homeownership can still be high. Mortgage interest rates have risen to their highest levels since the early 2000s. This has constrained the housing supply and increased the cost of buying and owning a home. Even if they pay off their mortgages, homeowners are responsible for paying other costs of owning a home, including property taxes and homeowners insurance. Some property tax relief programs may be available (see also Property Taxes). Homeowners insurance is increasingly expensive and, in some areas, difficult to obtain (see also Homeowners and Related Insurance Products).
Fair housing is another critical issue. It reflects the need to address longstanding disparities in housing access for certain communities. This includes groups that are discriminated against. Decades of discriminatory practices and policies in housing have negatively affected communities of color. It curtails their ability to attract and generate investment, build intergenerational wealth, and receive other amenities and services beneficial to community members, especially as they get older. Many of these issues persist today. For example, Black and Hispanic/Latino households have faced segregation and displacement in housing at much higher rates than white households. They are less likely to own their own homes, which is key to building wealth. This affects not only their access to safe and affordable housing but also their financial well-being.
LGBTQ+ individuals and couples also face discrimination in the housing market. The homeownership rate among people who are LGBTQ+ is considerably lower than the national average. About 50 percent of adults who are LGBTQ+ own a home, compared with about 70 percent of adults who are not LGBTQ+. Research also shows that LGBTQ+ people face harassment and discrimination. Studies have found that housing providers are less likely to respond to inquiries from same-sex couples and are more likely to charge male same-sex couples higher rents. For this reason, many LGBTQ+ people fear discrimination and prioritize safe communities, which can make it more difficult to find affordable and appropriate housing.
Housing design is also significant. Housing features that serve a wide range of needs help people age in place. As people get older, they are more likely to face mobility and other limitations and disabilities. Housing that is built for everyone, including people with disabilities, allows individuals to remain in their homes as their needs change. For example, people who use mobility devices such as walkers and wheelchairs need housing with no steps at the entrance, wide doorways and hallways, and an accessible bathroom at the ground level. These features are also attractive to people who do not have mobility limitations, such as parents with young children using strollers.
Safety is key to ensuring that people can remain in their communities as they get older. All housing needs to be safe. Low-quality housing can pose risks to residents’ health and safety, particularly vulnerable populations such as older adults. Renters may be reluctant to report unsafe features or conditions for fear that they will lose their housing. Homeowners may have trouble making necessary repairs.