Seniors, Housing and Health: Financial Challenges of Low-Income Older Americans

Fourteen percent of older adults—6.5 million people in 2013—do not have enough income to meet their needs. While health care costs dominate the debate about older adults’ needs and retirement preparedness, older adults spend much more on housing than health care. The burden of housing and health care costs can significantly reduce financial security at older ages. How can we align housing and health services to better meet the needs of low-income seniors? What policy solutions can we develop to ensure that seniors are able to afford both their housing and health needs and maintain a good quality of life as they age?

Richard Johnson, director of the Urban Institute’s Program on Retirement Policy, will describe the financial challenges facing seniors and the implications of high housing costs for low-income older adults, especially those with health problems. A panel of experts will then discuss ways to better align housing and health to serve seniors