Housing

As we age, our housing needs change: accessibility and affordability become major issues. Nevertheless, most seniors want to stay in their own homes as long as possible, and in the communities where they have social ties. Unfortunately, problems with affordability, accessible home design, and supportive services often make this difficult.

A lack of resources can mean a premature move to assisted living or a long-term care facility. Most communities need to become more livable, to provide more varied housing to meet the needs of seniors of different income levels: home sharing options, apartments, and “downsized” homes, for example.  Such options keep neighborhoods stable and maintain the community tax base.

However, political and economic barriers must be overcome before it is possible to implement these options and others, such as property tax relief and financial assistance programs for seniors, home modification programs, and partnerships between service and housing providers. Most of all, increased public awareness and discussion of the issues are crucial if the housing needs of the growing senior population are to be met in the coming decades.

A self-directed volunteer team, working with the Housing Priority Group researched unique housing options for seniors and how they are utilized in other communities.  You can click this link to read or download their report.

In addition, this priority group raised funds to hire The Highland Group of Boulder to complete a housing scan to identify existing Larimer County housing options for seniors and future needs.  This report will be presented at the Summit on Aging 2015. Link to the report. Future efforts of the group will build on the results of this study.

On October 22, 2015, the Fort Collins Coloradoan published an article "Local religious groups grapple with affordable housing".

Chairpersons:  Katy Mason, Sue Ballou

Members:  Nisanda Albaugh, Susan Beck-Ferkiss, Sam Betters, Michele Christensen, Maria Delgado, Brian Dunbar, Alison Hade, Katy Mason, Greg Miedema, Mary Alice Murphy, Yvonne Myers, Bill Swalling