National Older Adult Housing Survey 2002

Published Sunday, December 15, 2002

The 2002 National Older Adult Housing Survey (NOAHS) examines the choices that older adult homeowners make with respect to community amenities, home features, and living arrangements. It may be used as a reference for builders, remodelers, developers, manufacturers, marketing professionals, and members of the aging profession who are interested in providing more focused and targeted products and services to older adult consumers.

This report analyzes responses of those living in mixed-age residential and age-restricted or active adult communities, and adult children with parents in assisted living facilities.

NOAHS queried respondents on their preference for community type. Generally, homeowners in mixed-age and age-restricted communities are satisfied with the community in which they live, choosing to age in place. The largest percentage of homeowners with no preference of community type came from mixed-age communities. The main factors influencing preferences include marital, employment, and health/mobility status. However, as homeowners age and the main factors change, housing preferences also change. Specifically, the data imply that people move to age-restricted communities when they reach retirement age.

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