Appropriate and affordable housing for Hawaii's fast-growing senior population will be discussed at a conference from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Friday at the Hawai'i Convention Center. Conference will address
housing for isle seniorsThe retired population is increasing
at double to triple the U.S. rateStar-Bulletin staff
Dr. Stephen Golant, national senior housing expert at the University of Florida's Institute on Aging, will be keynote speaker at the "Affordable Supportive Senior Housing: Finding Solutions Together" Conference.
National and local authorities will present findings about senior housing and support services needed in Hawaii.
Participants will report a statewide survey being conducted by the Affordable Supportive Senior Project of more than 80 low- and moderate-income apartments that serve more than 6,500 senior tenants with little or no support services.
From 1990 to 2000, Hawaii had an increase of more than 35,000 retired seniors, mostly on Oahu, according to Assisted Living Options Hawaii. The state's senior population is growing at two to three times the national average.
Seniors, policy planners, legislators, housing managers and aging service providers at the conference will tackle such questions as where seniors on fixed income will live and what kinds of supportive services will be available.
Golant is chief consultant for the National Commission of Affordable Housing and Health Facility Needs for Seniors in the 21st Century, formed by Congress to obtain policy and legislative recommendations.
He has conducted research on shelter, care and mobility needs of older people for 20 yeas and has published about 100 papers and seven books, including "Housing America's Elderly: Many Possibilities, Few Choices."
Assisted Living Options Hawaii is sponsoring the event with state, city and private agencies and organizations concerned about the aging population.
For more information about the conference or the Affordable Supportive Senior Housing Project, call Velda Chong at 838-7965 or e-mail velda14@aol.com.