Older home owners increase

Between 2012 and 2017, the number of households headed by someone 65 or older jumped from 27 million to 31 million and will continue to grow, according to a new report from the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.

At the same time, the number of older adults facing housing cost burdens reached an all-time high of 10 million, income disparities are widening, and white-minority gaps in homeownership have expanded. Meanwhile, homeownership rates are lower and debt rates are higher for those 50 to 64, as compared to earlier generations.

“The falloff in home ownership rates among those approaching retirement, and the elevated levels of mortgage debt among those who do own, is concerning,” Chris Herbert, the center’s managing director, said in a statement. “And there are significant differences in owners and renters when it comes to preparedness for retirement.”

For more, visit www.jchs.harvard.edu.