Research summary - Housing models for seniors

From: Employment and Social Development Canada

Official title: Intergenerational and innovative housing models for seniors

Author of Report: Dr. Atiya Mahmood (Simon Fraser University)

Why this study

Older Canadians form a diverse group. Seniors have different needs and experience diverse challenges when it comes to housing.

Many factors may create challenges with finding adequate and appropriate housing, such as:

• age
• income
• geographic location
• ethnicity
• indigeneity
• disability

This study helps us better understand the types of housing for older adults.

What we did

We contracted Dr. Atiya Mahmood in the Department of Gerontology at Simon Fraser University.

Dr. Mahmood and her team conducted a literature review of:

• the leading 84 academic research sources
• non-traditional research sources

What we found

In 2016, 14% of Canadian older adults’ households were in core housing need, of those:

• 85% were in core housing need due to a lack of affordability
• older women living alone were more likely to face core housing need
• over 93% of older adults prefer to age in place rather than move to institutional care settings

Housing models

Leading types of new seniors housing models:

• co-living
• cohousing
• homesharing
• cooperative housing
• affinity communities
• service-integrated housing
• life lease housing
• community hub
• Naturally Occurring Retirement Community Supportive Services Program, and
• the Village

Advantages

The main benefits of these innovative housing models include:

• they are more affordable
• they lead to lower depression
• they decreased need for formal care
• they help promote healthy behaviors
• they increase social activity
• reduced loneliness and isolation
• the intergenerational environment fosters mutual support

Disadvantages

The main drawbacks of these innovative housing models include:

• difficult to sustain and expand
• lack of external funding
• lack of external support
• most models lack inclusion

What it means

This research helps support the vision set out in the National Housing Strategy. With this strategy, we want to ensure that Canadian seniors:

• have housing that meets their needs, and
• have housing that they can afford

It is also aiding our goal to focus support on those facing housing needs, such as seniors.

Contact us

Employment and Social Development Canada, Income and Social Development Branch, Seniors and Pensions Policy Secretariat

Email: ESDC.NC.SSPB.RESEARCH-RECHERCHE.DGPSS.CN.EDSC@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca