Emerging themes on aging in place from low-income older renters

ABSTRACT

This phenomenological study focused on low-income older renters‘ challenges that affected their aging in place. We conducted 25 in-depth interviews with low-income older renters, using a semi-structured questionnaire. The questions focused on socio-demographic characteristics, renting profiles, most and least favored aspects about being a renter, and future plans and challenges. We transcribed qualitative data, employed keyword-in-context analysis, and then identified emerging themes. We found that life changes, insufficient financial support, or unmet maintenance issues with one’s previous housing affected being a renter. Freedom from maintenance concerns was the most positive aspect about being a renter while the absence of ownership was the most negative aspect. Most respondents wanted to stay in their current unit due to a lack of resources or future plans. Health concerns were the most cited challenges when aging in place. Three themes for low-income older renters‘ aging in place emerged: (1) housing affordability, (2) home environment to support autonomy, and (3) resources for formal and informal support systems. This qualitative study provides an opportunity to better understand low-income older renters’ aging in place, a topic that has been understudied in the field of housing.

KEYWORDS:

• Aging in place
• low-income
• older renters
• qualitative study

Acknowledgments

The project described was supported by Project Number, NC.X-297-5-16-170-1 from USDA National Institute of Food and Agriculture. Its contents are solely the responsibility of the authors and do not necessarily represent the official views of the National Institute of Food and Agriculture.

We would like to recognize the Beacon Management Corporation and the Greensboro Housing Coalition (GHC) for sharing their insight about service to the older population and the community needs, and for assisting in the sample recruitment for our research project.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute of Food and Agriculture [NC.X-297-5-16-170-1 (CRIS #106719)].

Notes on contributors

Sung-Jin Lee

Sung-Jin Lee, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Housing Research in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Her research interests include aging in place, social and environmental issues, sustainable communities, and secondary data analyses.

Daejin Kim

Daejin Kim, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Interior Design at Iowa State University. His current research focuses on the role of the built environment including senior housing and long-term care environment in improving older adults’ health and well-being.

Suk-Kyung Kim

Suk-Kyung Kim, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Interior Design at the School of Planning, Design, & Construction at Michigan State University. Recently she has completed a Regional Affordable Housing Study for the Mid-Michigan Program for Greater Sustainability funded by HUD. She specializes in green and affordable housing, green building, and crime-prevention through environmental design.

Kathleen R. Parrott

Kathleen R. Parrott, Ph.D., is a Professor of Residential Environments and Design in the Department of Apparel, Housing and Resource Management at Virginia Tech. Her particular areas of expertise include housing design, sustainable housing, kitchen and bath design, and housing for older persons.

Valerie L. Giddings

Valerie L. Giddings, Ph.D., an Associate Professor and Department Chair, Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. Her research interests include issues related to the health and well-being of individuals, families, and communities including housing accommodations for the elderly.

S. Renee Robinson

S. Renee Robinson, B.S., is a Research Associate of Housing Research in the Department of Family and Consumer Sciences at North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University. She has been actively involved in research projects on manufactured housing, energy efficiency, and aging in place for low-income and/or aging populations.