Make room for the Baby Boomers

Communications Director

As Baby Boomers continue to creep toward retirement age and live even longer than past generations, there will be a growing desire for housing to meet the many needs of a graying population.

Nowhere is that more evident than in Pennsylvania, a state that ranks in the top five in the number of  residents who are age 65 and older, according to Dennis Pickeral, Senior Research Coordinator at the Pennsylvania State Data Center in Harrisburg.

One of the ways to address this need is 55-and-Over Communities (also known as Housing for Older Persons), which actually have been around since the late 1980s, but only recently have been gaining prominence in certain sections of the Keystone State.

“We are seeing more of these developments being built across the state, mirroring the same growth occurring nationally,” James L. Connor, 2005 President, Pennsylvania Builders Association (PBA), said. “While our association doesn’t have any precise figures, anecdotal information from our members clearly indicates their interest in serving this segment of the housing population.”

Connor said PBA members indicate that the northeastern and southeastern sections of the Commonwealth are presently experiencing the greatest growth in these types of communities.

Reports indicate that extensive growth of senior communities has been seen in nearly every county surrounding Philadelphia - and Bucks County is no exception, according to Maggie Pollich, 2005 President of the Bucks County Association of REALTORS®.

“We’ve seen huge growth in this part of the state and especially in the Bucks County area,” Pollich said. “Some people look to downsize, but some of the homes in these senior communities are extremely large, to be quite honest.”

Pollich said housing in the Over-55 Communities runs the gamut from condominiums and townhouses to smaller rental units to larger two-story, multiple-bedroom homes.

Moreover, some of the newer homes being built are constructed with universal design so the homeowner can have easier accessibility as their physical health declines.

These communities often offer security by way of being gated, clubhouses and recreational centers for socializing and walking trails. 

Raymond Cartwright, Director, Housing and Commercial Property Division, Pennsylvania Humans Relations Commission (PHRC), said housing for older persons falls into two categories: for those who are 55 years of age and older and 62 years of age and older. Additionally, the Fair Housing Act contains several provisions for these communities:

 At least 80 percent of the units must be occupied by at least one person 55 years of age or older per unit;

 There is publication of, and adherence to, policies and procedures which demonstrate an intent by the owner or manager to provide housing for persons 55 years of age or older;

 The housing complies with regulations promulgated by the Pennsylvania Human Relations Commission for verification of occupancy.   

Cartwright said the rise in popularity of Over-55 Communities has come with some controversy. The PHRC has experienced a rise in the number of inquiries about whether Over-55 Communities can actually exclude children from living there, Cartwright said.

“We are asked, ‘can these developments really exclude families with children?’” Cartwright said. “We are also asked by developers if municipalities can pressure them - either directly or indirectly - to build housing exclusively for older persons.”

Conner said, however, that members of his association are only trying to meet consumer needs.

“The growth in active adult communities is clearly driven by market demand, Conner said. “Builders won’t invest in a development unless their market research shows strong customer interest. Judging by the brisk sales of homes in age-restricted communities, I think it’s clear this is something many people want.”

Pickeral said Pennsylvania’s population is predicted to grow slowly, but that the Baby Boomer population will expand at a faster rate than other age groups over the next several decades.

“The state’s population, as a total, is growing more slowly of late,” Pickeral said. “It will continue to grow slowly until 2030, when it will start to decline. In contrast, however, the 65 and older population will grow at a much quicker rate than the rest of the population during that time period.”  