Under the Lens

Housing in an Aging Society

Longer lifespans, evolving household structures, and growing care needs are changing what people need from their homes and communities. In this Under the Lens series, Shelterforce examines what it means to live in an aging society, how families are adapting to the realities of growing older, and the housing policies and solutions that can help support aging safely, affordably, and connected to one another.

The Population Is Getting Older. Our Housing System Isn’t Ready.

July 20, 2026 | Lillian M. Ortiz

Stability in older age depends on a host of overlapping conditions being met. Our new Under the Lens series explores those conditions, how to achieve them, and what it means when our housing system isn’t built for a population that’s growing older.
An illustrated doll's eye view of an apartment building showing people of all ages, including older adults, doing different activities: spending time with family, heading out for work, walking down the stairs, watering plants.

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