The League of Women Voters of Larimer County presented a public forum on “Affordable Housing for Seniors: Facing A Crisis?” in April at the Harmony Library in Fort Collins. According to the latest demographic profile for Larimer County, Colorado’s population of 65 and older adults will increase by 166% between 2010 and 2040. By 2036, the county‘s 65 plus population will double to over 88,000, according to the State’s Demographer Office. Even worse, a 2014 Community Assessment Survey for Older Adults (CASOA) report indicated only 20% availability of affordable quality housing for seniors, which decreased from 33% five years ago.
Four panelists (pictured above l-r) gave presentations:
Katy Mason, program coordinator with Larimer County Office on Aging, made points on the low vacancy rates in the county at 2% with rents rising, thus affordable housing is not sustainable in this area. Ironically, the Denver-Boulder-Greeley area is tied with the San Francisco area on the largest inflation jump on housing prices. This area has become very popular to live with national publicity.
Sue Beck-Ferkiss, Social Sustainability Specialist for the City of Fort Collins, discussed more population projections in the city that will likely lead to less affordable housing for seniors. Most of the retirement villages are at capacity, even though new retirement villages are being built for the short term. Sue mentioned several exciting new ideas to include temporary mobile facilities and form membership clubs for subsidizing housing for seniors.
Moofie Miller, Director of Housing for the Loveland Housing Authority (LHA) stressed rates for affordable housing were dictated 1) by government subsidies from HUD, 2) by income, and 3) by market based housing. Unfortunately, the market based housing has increased significantly in prices that a crisis is looming for affordable housing. The LHA recently opened their newest property, Green House Homes at Mirasol, Loveland, which may be the new trend in affordable senior housing. Each house offers 10 bedrooms for seniors with a centralized living room and kitchen.
Sarah Everett, Senior Property Supervisor for Beacon Management LLC, showed their new 72 unit property, Legacy Senior Residences, Fort Collins. These units were designed for seniors using the latest technologies. She indicated 500 projects were built last year and 175 this year in the U.S. for low income housing.
All panelists agreed more affordable housing is needed in this area. Call the Larimer County Office on Aging at 970-498-7750 for help with available senior housing.