Understanding seniors’ preferences for the development of smaller social housing
An exploratory study of the housing preferences of vital seniors and their implications for developing smaller social housing
M.P.L. Kemps (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
M.G. Elsinga – Mentor (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
H.J.F.M. Boumeester – Mentor (TU Delft - Architecture and the Built Environment)
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Abstract
The Dutch housing market is under pressure due to a shortage of homes, limited buildable land, rising construction costs, and an ageing population living in under-occupied housing. At the same time, the phenomenon of double ageing places increasing demands on care systems. Compact collective housing has the potential to address both challenges, but only when it is genuinely attractive to the seniors it is intended for. Drawing on literature on rightsizing, collective housing, and ageing in place, this research examines how a better understanding of the preferences of vital seniors for private living space, shared spaces, neighbourhood characteristics, and the social environment can improve the attractiveness of smaller social housing units in the Netherlands.
A mixed-methods approach was used, combining a questionnaire on the stated preferences of seniors interested in a Knarrenhof project, a focus group with seniors already living in compact collective housing, and a focus group with experts in the development and management of senior housing.
The findings show that collective living in compact homes can work well for vital seniors, but only when specific conditions are met. A private outdoor space, sufficient storage, and daily amenities within walking distance consistently emerged as the most valued aspects, while the success of shared spaces depended not only on their physical design, but also on resident composition and social support. A notable finding is that concerns of seniors considering a move proved considerably less problematic among seniors who had actually moved, suggesting a gap between stated and revealed preferences. The neighbourhood and social environment also played a more important role in seniors' satisfaction than the dwelling alone.
The findings provide developers, housing associations, investors, municipalities, and policymakers with practical insights into what vital seniors value, and how this knowledge can guide the development of compact collective senior housing that supports residential mobility, independence, and social well-being.
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