WHEREAS, Seniors who live alone, like citizens of all circumstances, deserve respect of their dignity and autonomy, especially regarding the most personal issues, such as housing and self-care, even while their physical safety and mobility is preserved; and
WHEREAS, According to Allison Arieff’s “A Housing Crisis for Seniors” article in
The New York Times
, the national population aged 65 and over is expected to grow from 48 million to 79 million in the next two decades and one in three American households will be headed by someone 65 or older by 2035, 9.3 million of which will be one-person households; and
WHEREAS, The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard’s just-released “Projects and Implications for a Growing Population: Older Households 2015-2035 Housing” study reveals that this demographic shift will increase the need for affordable, safe housing that is well connected to services way beyond what current supply can meet; and
WHEREAS, If they lack a healthy partner, a network of helpful neighbors, or caring family members or friends, older residents may become isolated, unable to do basic errands or keep up their property, or otherwise threatened staying in their home; and
WHEREAS, For those who can afford luxury options and those who qualify for aid, there may be options outside the traditional home, but really good choices for the middle class are scarce – supply has simply not kept up with demand for thoughtfully designed senior housing, with walkability, good transit and everything-at-their-doorstep amenities, things that the City has in abundance; and
WHEREAS, According to the Philadelphia Corporation for the Aging, 206,000 age 60+ persons in Philadelphia are homeowners, yet like so many Philadelphians they are disproportionately poor and therefore without the resources to adapt homes that may have been built decades ago as they age; and
WHEREAS, Potential solutions include senior villages, condo communities targeted at older residents, co-housing, and naturally occurring retirement communities (“NORCs”) such as the Rhawnhurst NORC operated by the Jewish Federation; and
WHEREAS, Whatever methods are selected by the public, private and nonprofit stakeholders, families, and individuals, safe, clean, reliable housing is essential to senior Philadelphians and a vital piece of our City’s community; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That council does hereby authorize the Committee on Aging to hold hearings regarding senior housing in recognition of May as Senior Awareness Month.
End