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United States
New Jersey : Nearly 50 percent of all housing built in 2005 was of the age-restricted variety
Mis en ligne le 16/01/2007
In New Jersey, nearly 50 percent of all housing built in 2005 was of the age-restricted variety. Still, demand often far outstrips the supply, observers and industry experts say.
Housing developments targeting empty nesters and senior citizens are sprouting up in large numbers throughout North Jersey, where the region's graying baby boomer population is fueling a demand for age-restricted housing. These senior housing units are the darlings of developers, who are acutely aware that their proposals may be more likely to receive the municipal stamp of approval if they are designed for adults 55 and older, a group coveted by municipalities for their tax dollars and relatively minor impact on services. But some observers and critics question whether local leaders are too eager to give such projects the green light, minimizing the potential impacts of age-restricted housing. And they wonder whether some of the luxurious senior housing projects, which start at upward of $300,000 and feature upscale amenities, actually meet the needs of the region's seniors who want to downsize from large homes and high tax bills. The issue is imperative because the number of seniors over 65 is expected to double to more than 60 million by 2020, the Washington, D.C.-based American Seniors Housing Association said. Most recent census statistics indicate that more than a half-million seniors live in Bergen, Passaic, Hudson and Morris counties. Though it is unclear how many building projects specifically targeting empty nesters are under way or in the planning stages, the New Jersey Builders Association estimated that nearly 50 percent of all housing built in 2005 was of the age-restricted variety. Still, demand often far outstrips the supply, observers and industry experts say. "There's a shortage of housing for seniors in New Jersey," said Marilyn Askin, chief legislative advocate of the New Jersey office of AARP. (The Record, 01/02/07, "Does senior housing cater to senior developers ?")
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