Background & Supporting Data
Identified Need for Older Adult Accessible Housing
The American Association of Retired People (AARP), scored OC above average in their index for United States overall rating of livability for older adults regardless of factors of income, ability level and background of senior residents. Although OC is rated high overall as an ideal place to live, this index includes a housing score that had some lower ratings. OC scored higher on ratings for housing on zero-step entrances and availability of multi-family homes and scored lower for housing costs, housing cost burden and availability of subsidized housing. These findings are consistent with the OC Older Adult Community Survey, where OC also scored high as an ideal place to retire, but not all city residents scored their city of residence favorably for availability of senior housing (e.g., availability of long-term options, availability of accessible housing, availability of day-time options, etc.) with discrepancies among the city ratings.
Identified Need for Housing Affordability
In OC, 72.2% of older adults live within owner-occupied households, more than one in four (27.8%) are renter-occupied according to the US Census 2020: DEC Demographic and Housing Characteristics. In the OC Older Adult Needs Assessment Report, becoming homeless was more of a concern for those who were renting a home or apartment and for older adults who were between the ages of 55 and 69, suggesting the highest concern for housing affordability for this renting group as they get older. According to the California MPA-DD, in 2023, across all HUD programs, OC had lower subsidized housing rates, 40.9 subsidized housing units per 1,000 low-income population, compared to the state’s rate of 48.9 subsidized housing units per 1,000 low-income population, indicating a need to increase affordable housing.
Resources & Potential Considerations
