Elder Housing Support for Aging-in-Place: Current State and Areas for Improvement

Abstract

This article analyzes the current state of elder housing support, identifies areas for improvement, and explores policy options for advancing aging-in-place. The homeownership rate may be high among elderly households in Korea, but these elderly homeowners lack housing security, as their homes are in many cases dilapidated and involve heavy financial costs. Existing housing support policies targeting older adults, focused on facility-based caregiving and public rental housing, lack measures for providing these seniors with care and support in their own homes. Therefore, it is necessary to shift the focus of housing support policies for seniors from residential relocation to increasing support for the maintenance of their homes. Enhanced support is needed, particularly for home renovation, home-based care provision, and housing maintenance costs. The framework of elder housing policies should be designed in a way to ensure that older adults live securely, with dignity, in the community.