50+ Housing – Manny Gonzalez

Resort-style developments with the amenities built into the community are no longer the mantra for 50+ housing. Today, the desire is to take advantage of amenities already in place. Working with universities to encourage life-long learning is one way. Another is integrating more 50+ housing into mixed-use neighborhoods and lifestyle retail centers where shopping, dining and entertainment are outside the resident’s own door.

While market rate unit plans have been growing for the last dozen years, affordable units have become far more generous in the same time and this trend seems to be holding. Rooms in the community centers appear to be moving in a different direction. Large multi-purpose rooms are giving way to more flexible, intimate spaces allowing for smaller group activities. Outdoor living areas are also becoming increasingly popular.

The current generation of residents is quite tech savvy, so wireless communication is becoming a necessary standard feature. And lookout Bingo…Wii and other virtual games such as golf have arrived! Walking and hiking trails remain the number one activity in 50+ communities so creating walkways and paths that are both enjoyable and safe are essential.

An emerging market in senior housing looks to be urban infill. As America’s downtown areas become revitalized with sports and entertainment centers, this is also a draw for seniors who desire a more urban lifestyle. These areas also offer opportunities to partner with other types of developments, like hospitality, to provide the “condo-hotel” experience.

It is a misnomer that affordable senior housing looks affordable, as the reality is quite the contrary. In order to get city approvals for affordable projects, there are usually additional features such as extra brick and special attention paid to the exterior. When it comes to affordable communities, it is sometimes hard to tell the difference from a market rate project. Unit sizes, however, are generally set at the minimum required to be affordable.

Like all housing types, senior housing, whether it be affordable or market rate, is evolving.

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