State Housing Profiles: Housing Conditions and Affordability for the Older Population

State Housing Profiles 2011 uses data from several sources to look at key housing indicators for older adults in every state and the District of Columbia. Most of the data come from the Census Bureau’s 2009 American Community Survey, with comparison data from the 2000 Decennial Census.

This edition also adds new data sources that were not included in previous editions:

• Foreclosures and foreclosure risk statistics for the 50+ from AARP’s analysis.

• Home Equity Conversion Mortgages endorsed by the Federal Housing Administration.

• Federally subsidized housing data for privately owned subsidized housing, and Low Income Housing Tax Credit Properties.

This edition of State Housing Profiles closely follows release of recent Census Bureau housing data and focuses on affordability issues facing older homeowners and renters.  Notable findings from this edition include:

• Housing costs are becoming more burdensome for older adults.  Those who rent or own with mortgages are at greater risk of affordability challenges than those who own their homes debt-free.

• The percentage of homeowners who own their homes free and clear has decreased,  and the percentage still paying mortgages after age 50 has increased.

• Household residents age 50+ are less likely to be married and living with a spouse than in the past.

• The percentage of men age 50+ living alone has increased, while the percentage of women age 50+ living alone has declined.

• Renters age 50+ are more likely than homeowners to have a disability.

• People age 50+ are more likely to live in older homes than in the past.