As age of Iowans increases, so does need for senior housing

The latest snapshot of Iowa's older population estimates that nearly 16 percent of the state's residents are age 65 or older, a proportion expected to grow over the next three decades.

The estimate released Monday shows there were roughly 491,000 older Iowans in 2014, an increase of about 1 percentage point — or about 50,000 people — for the same group compared with the previous snapshot of 2008 figures, according to State Data Center's Older Iowans: 2016 report.

While that doesn't represent a drastic increase, the projected population for the age group is estimated to reach nearly 700,000, making up a fifth of the state's population, by 2050.

Gary Krob, coordinator with the State Data Center, said projections show that counties expected to have the highest percentages of older residents are some of the state's most rural.

'Your rural counties are the ones that are going to have 20 percent or more, and a majority of your metropolitan areas will have a smaller number,' Krob said. 'What we're seeing right now in Iowa — and most states are seeing this — is migration toward the metropolitan urban areas, so the rural counties are losing population, and the ones more likely to move are the younger population.'

That doesn't mean urban populations aren't aging also, but not by the same ratio when compared with other age groups.

With a growing senior population comes increased demand for housing options.

'There's definitely a need,' said Tracy Hightshoe, Iowa City neighborhood services coordinator.

John Yapp, Iowa City development services coordinator, said he didn't have specific data on seniors in Johnson County but noted the population is growing — and developers are noticing.

'Looking at the demographics, that age group of 65 and older is getting larger,' he said. 'Periodically we do get calls from senior housing developers who are looking for locations in Iowa City.'

Some projects are receiving financial aid to meet the growing demand. Earlier this spring, the Iowa Finance Authority approved more than $1.3 million in annual federal funding for two affordable senior housing projects.

IFA approved $800,000 in credits for Coralville's Coral Ridge Apartments and roughly $560,000 for Diamond Senior Apartments in Iowa City. Those awards will be committed annually for a 10-year period.

Meanwhile, an effort between the Grand Living communities and developer Ryan Companies aims to bring two additional senior housing options to the Corridor.

In Cedar Rapids, Grand Living at Indian Creek will add 164 units — from studios to two-bedroom apartments — near the intersection of Collins Road and First Avenue. Grand Living in Coralville looks to offer 170 comparable units near First Avenue's intersection of Interstate 80.

Originally, the Coralville project was planned for Camp Cardinal Road in Iowa City, but the rezoning was recently pulled by the developer as plans shifted to Coralville instead.

'Ryan and Grand Living are excited to bring the Grand Living concept to the Iowa City/Coralville area. Our goal was to have a presence in this region and Coralville proved to be the best location for a variety of reasons,' said Eric Anderson, vice president for development of senior living with Ryan Companies, in an email Monday. 'We strive to be good community partners committed to delivering projects that earn satisfied customers and add value to the community. That will certainly continue to be our goal as we come to the area.'