A group of LeadingAge housing members and staff met with HUD Secretary Julian Castro in late October to discuss issues important to America’s elderly population. Secretary Castro stressed HUD’s commitment to finding solutions that provide the elderly with affordable, quality places to call home. The meeting focused primarily on 3 key issues:

• The looming crisis in affordable senior housing caused by shrinking capital for new construction and an aging population.
• The lack of a national plan to preserve existing PRAC housing. They emphasized that there are approximately 2,800 PRAC communities in the country, some of which are nearing a quarter-century old and few of which have sufficient reserves for necessary upkeep and improvements. Secretary Castro said PRAC preservation is a key priority for HUD.
• The importance of housing as a platform for senior services and the impact of housing with services on health care spending. Research shows providing seniors with the appropriate services can help bend down the cost curve on health care spending.