The growing number of older adults in Massachusetts and nationally are running up against a lack of affordable housing options and the situation is already in crisis mode, according to Len Fishman, director of the UMass Boston Gerontology Institute.
In the Gerontology Institute’s Blog, Fishman spotlights how the current affordable senior housing crisis would be made worse by the US House of Representatives version of tax reform, which may force people out of communities where they have spent their lifetime in many cases.
As Fishman explains, “the most important remaining government program assisting the construction and preservation of affordable housing like that involves the tax-exempt private activity bonds and an accompanying 4 percent low-income housing tax credit.” Continue reading →
Registration is now open for an upcoming senior services symposium to assist housing professionals, service providers, policy makers and others concerned about ensuring that older adults can actively age in community.
Older Adults, New Ground: Redefining Housing for Our Aging Population
Wednesday, October 4th
9:00 AM – 2:30 PM
Newbridge on the Charles | Dedham, MA
Attendees can expect to:
- Learn about best practices in the continuum of aging services in housing for low-income older adults.
- Participate in workshops on relevant topics such as innovative partnerships in housing and services.
- Learn how to advocate to help address the service and housing needs of aging adults.
Register now
Questions? Contact: OlderAdultsNewGround@EnterpriseCommunity.org
A recent Boston Globe article highlighted the state’s struggling performance on the elder economic security index, a tool developed by UMass Boston and promoted by healthy aging advocates.
As the article states, “More than 60 percent of single older adults in the state can’t afford food, housing, or other living expenses, the second-highest rate in the country, behind only Mississippi.” The problem is even more pronounced for women and people of color.
Turning to potential solutions, the article notes Governor Charlie Baker’s Council to Address Aging in Massachusetts and the Age-Friendly Communities movement, specifically the City of Boston’s 75-point action plan, which includes many elements aimed at bolstering an older adult resident’s ability to remain economically secure and independent.
Anyone interested in commenting to the Governor’s Council in regards to elder economic security, or any other suggestions to enhance the well-being of older adults in Massachusetts, can submit written comments here.
Cross-posted from Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly
By Amy Schectman, President and CEO, Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly
I attended a wonderful American Society on Aging conference. I learned many things and reinforced my knowledge of other areas. At the session I co-led with Ruth Palombo from the Tufts Health Foundation, we asked attendees to offer their suggestion on what we presented as a conundrum for professionals in our field: Continue reading →
This resource contains the most up-to-date version of the Massachusetts MassHousing Rental List.
This resource contains the MassHousing Section 8 Property Listing.
Of the 1,450 low-income older adults living in Jewish Community Housing for the Elderly’s (JCHE) Brighton, Newton and Framingham communities, a large percentage is first-generation immigrants. On the Brighton campus, which is JCHE’s largest community, 900 residents come from 19 countries and speak 31 languages. Continue reading →
The Tufts Health Plan Foundation sat down with Mark Hinderlie, president & CEO of Hearth, to talk about why elder homelessness is such an important issue and identify some of the risk factors that force people into homelessness. Continue reading →
Source: Jewish Family & Children’s Service
This guide is written to address the mental health issues that often face residents in housing for older adults and contains basic information about mental illnesses, and tips, techniques and suggested language for working with residents with mental illnesses.
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