More support needed for affordable senior housing in Maryland | READER COMMENTARY
By 2030, 22% of Maryland’s population will be 60 or older, according to the U.S. Census Bureau. Simultaneously, the number of cost-burdened older adults is at an all-time high in our country. Older adults represent the fastest growing population segment in Maryland, and there is not enough affordable housing to meet the growing needs. We must do more to ensure no older adult is left behind (“Vacant houses for $1? Baltimore proposal would fix low prices for some city-owned homes,” March 1).
The Joint Center for Housing Studies at Harvard University’s 2023 Housing America’s Older Adults report examined many factors that affect housing, care affordability and accessibility for older adults. Along with housing, access to services and care are crucial to help individuals maintain health and independence as they grow old. Unfortunately, there is often inadequate funding and programs needed to provide affordable services and care. Affordable senior housing can close this gap but the demand far outpaces the supply.
LeadingAge members report that many age and income-qualified older Marylanders wait 1-to-8 years to move into an affordable senior housing community. We are glad Gov. Wes Moore’s administration has announced its commitment to tackle the affordable housing crisis and believe more can be done to incorporate the needs of older Marylanders. Although many affordable housing-related bills have been introduced, none address this issue head-on. We are hopeful that some of the bills may prove beneficial for not-for-profit developers and operators of affordable senior housing including House Bill 538/Senate Bill 484 which addresses zoning density and permitting.
The Maryland Department of Aging under Carmel Roques’ leadership is already taking important steps to evaluate existing programs and explore new ways to support older Marylanders in conjunction with Governor Moore’s Longevity Ready Maryland initiative. We applaud their efforts and urge the Maryland Department of Housing and Community Development and other policymakers to ensure that housing affordability and accessibility for aging Marylanders is prioritized.
Each of us is aging and, if we are lucky, will get to experience old age. Let’s work together to ensure every older Marylander has opportunities to live well.
— Allison Ciborowski, Sykesville
The writer is president and CEO of LeadingAge Maryland, a membership organization representing not-for-profit aging services providers.
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