18. The region’s seniors will have more housing choices and opportunities to downsize while staying in their own community.
MetroFuture calls for a realignment of housing production to meet the needs of the region’s older residents. The region’s over-65 population will grow by 83% over three decades, an increase of 455,000 residents. Demand for smaller units in more convenient locations will increase as well. MetroFuture calls for production of 83,000 units in multifamily buildings near suburban town centers or existing commercial areas and transit. Accessory apartments will be a rapidly growing segment of housing production, constituting 11% of new suburban housing units. With more housing options available, fewer seniors will pay excessive housing costs, even after including property taxes, heating, and transportation. Fewer seniors will find it necessary to move out of the region for a more affordable housing or higher quality of life.
If Current Trends continue, the region will produce only 47,000 townhouses and small apartment buildings in suburban town centers.
Objectives:
- There will be 17,000 new accessory apartments in suburban municipalities by 2030.
- A declining proportion of seniors will spend over 30% of their household income on housing costs; and none will pay over 50%.
- 76% of new suburban housing units will be in attached single family or multifamily buildings.