Lifetime Communities, Lifetime Housing
There's a growing movement in the U.S. to re-evaluate how our neighborhoods and communities are designed. The goal is to make them more attractive places for growing up, growing old, and for all of life in between. This movement goes by a variety of names - "communities for a lifetime," "livable communities," "lifelong communities," "lifetime communities," "lifecycle communities " and "vital communities."
A demographic imperative propels this movement as the boomer generation moves into its later years. Their numbers are leading to a huge shift in the historic balance among our population's age segments - Minnesota seniors for decades comprised approximately 10-12% of the population, but will become approximately 25% in about twenty years.
Along with this extraordinary demographic trend come other striking changes as well. Housing is a vital community component because everything in life revolves around where and how we live. Decades-old perceptions about what kinds of housing seniors want and need increasingly don't match boomers' life experiences and expectations that differ strikingly from those of earlier generations.
Progressive communities are evaluating how to reshape their designs, amenities and services. They're assessing if the housing types/features and "social living arrangements” permitted match this demand as it evolves. Many are updating an array of regulatory tools in response.
To explore some of the issues involved and approaches followed in encouraging "lifetime communities and lifetime housing," click on:
- Flexible Housing Options: A Guide for Local Officials (Coming soon)
- Twin Cities Metro Area Accessory Dwelling Unit Ordinances (Coming soon)
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