The Future of Senior Living

As multigenerational living becomes more popular, the residential construction industry is developing new ways to house an aging population.

Fast Company reports that after decades of housing trends that pushed Americans towards single-family houses, the isolation of the nuclear family, and car dependency, many are now reconsidering multigenerational living situations. Today, 20 percent of Americans are living with two or more adult generations in a single household, compared to 12 percent in 1980.

Living situations for multiple generations can take many forms, from in-law suites built into homes, to cohousing (a group of private homes that share community spaces and resources), to co-locating senior housing with schools or daycares.

American cities and suburbs will need to undergo a radical change in response to climate change, shifting away from single-family homes and toward denser housing typologies, away from personal vehicles and toward public transit, walkability, and shared cars, away from independence and towards resource sharing. Ironically, we stand to benefit from those changes as we age.

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