A move toward more age-restricted housing in Howard may be encouraging seniors to age in place, but some analysts say the boom doesn?t match the need.
“It has nothing to do with the demographics,” said local economist Anirban Basu, chairman and CEO of the Sage Policy Group. “It has to do with the fact the homebuilder community needs to build projects, and age-restricted housing tends to generate less opposition.”
The 637 age-restricted housing units built last year accounted for 34 percent of the total units built in Howard, according to the county?s latest annual Development Monitoring System Report, which details development activity from October 2005 to September 2006.
Legislation in 2001 and a 2004 Senior Housing Plan were aimed at boosting the amount of housing for those 55 and older to meet the demand of aging residents.
“There has been a lot of interest in the development community recognizing there is an aging boomer population,” said Marsha McLaughlin, director of the Department of Planning and Zoning.
New developments must meet facilities requirements before being approved to ensure adequate roads and schools are available for residents.
These limits are pushing builders toward senior housing, said Susan Stroud, co-director of government affairs at the Home Builders Association of Maryland. Senior housing isn?t bound to the same limits, because they don?t house children who would be attending county schools.
This abundance of age-restricted housing also means less available housing for other sectors of the population, particularly young families.
Young families face fewer housing options and rising housing costs, Basu said.
“I don?t think these public policies contribute to the well-being of younger families,” he said.
However, the benefits for seniors abound, including houses with master bedrooms on the first floor and no-stair entryways, said Sharonlee Vogel, chairwoman of the county?s Commission on Aging.
AT A GLANCE
» 637 of the 1,877 housing units built last year were age-restricted housing.
» Another 1,259 units are in the planning process, slated for development over the next several years.
» In the previous year, 484 age-restricted housing units were built, which was 29 percent of the total units.
» During the next 25 years, the county?s 55 and older group is expected to grow to 31 percent of the population.
Sources: County?sDevelopment Monitoring System Report and the Senior Housing Master Plan for October 2005 to September 2006
