A silver wave is coming to Arlington.
Older adults aged 65 to 69 and 70 to 74 were among the fastest-growing age segments in Arlington from 2010 to 2018. By 2045, the number of 85+ Arlingtonians is forecasted to jump 65.5%, well over double the projected countywide growth of 26.6%. Many of these seniors have seen the County undergo many changes over the past few decades—changes that may ultimately make it harder for them to stay in Arlington. By allowing for the construction of smaller and more age-friendly homes, we can respond to changing demographics and better serve Arlington’s growing population of seniors.
Arlington seniors are more likely than their neighbors to be cost-burdened
Cost-burdened households in Arlington (2019)
As people age, their needs change, and the homes they lived in for years may no longer fit their needs or lifestyle. Kids move out and their bedrooms now sit empty. Mobility challenges make it too hard to climb stairs or maintain a yard. Even if seniors want to swap their larger home for a more modestly sized alternative, Arlington’s current housing supply isn’t meeting their needs. For too many seniors, downsizing means leaving the community they’ve called home for years.
Missing Middle Housing offers a path forward for seniors who want to shrink their home without saying goodbye to the community that makes them feel most at home.
Missing Middle Housing types’ intentional smaller scale is appealing to a variety of buyers and renters—including downsizing seniors—as their reduced size comes with a reduced workload. This manageable scale is particularly important for seniors with mobility challenges. Sixteen percent of people in the U.S. age 65 and over reported difficulties with mobility (e.g. walking or climbing stairs) in 2018, making it the most commonly reported disability. By increasing the supply of easily manageable housing in existing residential communities, we can better accommodate this growing population.
Missing Middle Housing helps to create a stronger sense of community through its proximity to neighborhood amenities, neighbors living in closer proximity, and the integration of shared spaces. A strong social life is critical for seniors and is linked to many health benefits, including reduced rates of depression and a longer life span. This has become even more evident during the past year as COVID-19 has caused many seniors to become even more isolated.
Smaller housing units can mean smaller mortgages and lower rents, which are helpful for people on a fixed income (e.g. retirement benefits). Some Missing Middle Housing types with multiple units can also incorporate opportunities for rental income. This can reduce the financial burden on Arlington’s seniors and help them afford other services and necessities as time goes on.
To the extent that Missing Middle Housing is newly developed or renovated, the homes can more easily be made accessible for seniors through either fully ADA-compliant features or age-friendly Universal Design practices. For multi-unit structures, this is an ideal option for the unit(s) on the first floor that allow accessible one-level living spaces.
Missing Middle isn’t just good for seniors: it’s good for families as a whole. Multi-generational families can benefit from Missing Middle Housing where family members can reside together or nearby in the neighborhood. When we create an environment where Arlingtonians of any age can thrive, our community stands to benefit for years to come.
In Case You Missed It: Missing Middle Housing and Arlington’s Seniors Webinar
On March 25, 2021, Arlington residents and community leaders joined us for a webinar on Missing Middle Housing and Arlington’s Seniors. In a conversation moderated by Maureen Markham (Arlington Neighborhood Village), panelists Danielle Arigoni (Director, AARP Livable Communities) and Erica Wood (Arlington Age-Friendly Task Force) explored ways to improve Arlington’s livability for seniors and the potential for Missing Middle Housing in the County. Issues discussed included impending demographic shifts, Arlington’s livability, universal design, and more.
On the issue of affordability, Arigoni said, “It’s a shame that people who have lived in Arlington all their lives and have so much to contribute wouldn’t be able to see a viable path forward to remain in Arlington. That’s a real loss for our community.”
“If we design and reimagine sites differently, we can engineer more interaction among people and across generations that ultimately enrich the lives of everyone who lives there. ”
Wood agreed, saying, “I would hate to think that we here in Arlington who aim to be so inclusive are forcing older people out instead of providing the affordable and accessible options that they need.”
The panelists also looked at Missing Middle Housing’s potential to improve quality of life and foster a sense of community. “Another asset of Missing Middle Housing is that it opens the door to unique land use and site designs that currently are not very common in this area,” said Arigoni. “Smaller homes that are designed to be affordable, accessible, and to facilitate connection and common spaces—that’s a real opportunity that is underserved right now. If we design and reimagine sites differently, we can engineer more interaction among people and across generations that ultimately enrich the lives of everyone who lives there. This can’t happen easily with the existing zoning codes, but we know that we can do better and we need to do better.”
Reflecting on how the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted older Arlingtonians, Wood said, “During the pandemic, we’ve heard about social isolation and how technology is helping to address it. But nobody has said that changes in zoning would help decrease isolation levels. We need to get that on the radar.”
Wood also mentioned the health benefits that can arise when seniors are less isolated. One of the things about growing old in a single-family house is that people won’t know if you have an accident,” she said. “So in addition to helping with the social isolation, community-oriented housing options give people an opportunity to look out for each other.”
View a Replay of the Session
““During the pandemic, we’ve heard about social isolation and how technology is helping to address it. But nobody has said that changes in zoning would help decrease isolation levels. We need to get that on the radar.””
Q+A Highlights
Q: Why does AARP think Missing Middle Housing types would be good housing for seniors?
A: One of the reasons Missing Middle Housing fits so nicely into an age-friendly framework is because we can clearly see that there are inadequate options now. When you first mention AARP and housing to people, I can guarantee that their mind goes first to age-restricted housing developments—these large 55+ communities—or nursing homes. All of which are fine, but those are just two of many housing solutions that should be available to help meet the needs of older adults. Three-quarters of older people say they want to age in place, but only 46 percent of them believe they will be able to. Thirteen percent believe they will have to move to another home in their same community, and 25 percent think they will have to move somewhere else. If we’re able to provide options for people to downsize according to their needs or wishes, then we’re better able to give older adults the lives that they want. (Answered by Danielle Arigoni)
Q: How could increasing Missing Middle units other than ADUs (Accessory Dwelling Units) make Arlington more age-friendly?
A: First, while Missing Middle Housing may not always be affordable for seniors, it is more likely to be, compared to the large single-family homes now being built. Second, ground floor units, for example in courtyard apartments, may be easier to get into, more accessible. And third, Missing Middle housing may offer more community connections than single-family homes, less isolation—at least someone close by in case of emergencies. Certainly, not all Missing Middle Housing will be the best fit for older adults, but the point is to have a range of options that might work. (Answered by Erica Wood)
Q: Do you have a sense of why Arlington is seeing such a large growth in the older adult population, given the current affordability and housing-choice options?
A: Arlington's growth in the older population reflects a sweeping national trend—the greying of America. Federal statistics show that "the older population in 2030 is projected to be more than twice as large as in 2000, growing from 35 million to 73 million and representing 21 percent of the total U.S. population.” Older people who came to Arlington in the 1960s and 1970s are now in their 70s or older. Many have lived their lives in Arlington and don't want to leave the community ties they have built up, yet may find themselves in a bind. (Answered by Erica Wood)
