Summary
Affordable housing is lifeline for older adults in Colorado and provides more than just shelter.
Why Affordable Housing Remains a Lifeline for Older Adults in Colorado
By Vennita Jenkins, Senior Housing Options CEO
As the cost of living in Colorado continues to rise, one crisis looms quietly but persistently in the background: the growing need for affordable housing for older adults. At Senior Housing Options (SHO), we see faces and hear the stories behind the statistics every day. Seniors in Colorado are forced to choose between paying rent, buying food, or accessing medical care.
The truth is, for many older adults, affordable senior housing is not just about a place to live, it is the foundation that makes health, stability, and dignity possible.
A Crisis Hidden in Plain Sight
Colorado is home to one of the fastest growing aging populations in the U.S. Yet this demographic faces rising rents, fixed incomes, and long waitlists for low-income senior housing. According to recent data:
- Nearly 1 in 3 seniors in Colorado are cost burdened, spending more than 30% of their income on rent.
- Thousands of low-income older adults are on waitlists for subsidized senior housing, with some waiting times stretching into years.
- Without stable housing, the risk of senior homelessness in Colorado increases, especially for those living with disabilities or chronic conditions.
The Link Between Housing and Food Insecurity
When rent consumes much of a fixed income, groceries often become the first sacrifice. Many of our residents at SHO come to us malnourished, having skipped meals to afford basic housing. In fact:
- Older adults living in market rate housing are twice as likely to face food insecurity.
- Malnutrition in older adults leads to falls, emergency visits, and a decline in overall health.
When housing is affordable, those tradeoffs disappear. Residents can access senior nutrition programs, eat balanced meals, and live with dignity.
Housing and Healthcare Access
Without stable housing, access to senior healthcare becomes nearly impossible. For older adults managing chronic illnesses, stability is everything. When housing is uncertain:
- Medical appointments are missed.
- Prescription medications go unfilled.
- Emergency room visits increase, raising costs for everyone.
At SHO, we provide more than just a home. We offer supportive services that connect residents to Medicaid benefits, case management, and community healthcare programs and services only effective when housing is secure.
At SHO, we serve 340 older adults in affordable housing communities across Colorado. But the demand continues to far outpace supply.
To meet the growing need, we must:
- Increase public and private investment in affordable senior housing
- Demand that there be no cuts to HUD funding for affordable senior housing
- Expand aging-in-place programs
- Boost affordable housing development in both urban and rural areas
- Encourage nonprofit housing partnerships across the state
Call to Action: Help Colorado’s Seniors Age with Dignity
If you believe that every older adult deserves to live with dignity. not desperation. we invite you to act:
- Donate to affordable senior housing in Colorado through SHO seniorhousingoptions.org
- Advocate for senior housing policy change in Colorado
- Volunteer with Senior Housing Options and make a direct impact
- Partner with us, as a healthcare provider, developer, or community ally
Because at the intersection of housing, food, and healthcare lies the well-being of our older adults.
Together, we can ensure older adults in Colorado have the safety, stability, and respect they deserve.
