The Cost of Aging: Is America Failing Its Seniors?

Housing: Outpriced and Overlooked

Another piece of the puzzle? Housing. Seniors often struggle to keep up with rent or property taxes, especially in cities where costs are skyrocketing. Affordable senior housing programs exist, but the waitlists are often years long.

Even homeowners aren’t safe—maintenance costs, rising property taxes, and the need for modifications to “age in place” (like ramps or bathroom safety features) can break the budget.

More troubling, homelessness among seniors is on the rise. Studies show that by 2030, the number of homeless seniors could triple compared to 2010. That’s a clear sign the system is failing to protect some of the most vulnerable.

The takeaway: Safe, affordable housing is becoming harder for seniors to secure, even after decades of hard work and paying taxes.