Thursday, December 16, 2021

HOW CAN DOWNSIZING HELP SENIORS AGE IN PLACE?



There’s a newly completed “pocket neighborhood” consisting of eight houses each less than 500 square feet. That’s right, 500 square feet. This is the total living area of seven homes. The last home, at 250 square feet, is a tiny home. The eight “micro-cottage” homes cluster around a common area of.57 acres. These are the first pilot project called “The Cottages on Vaughan”.

My grandparents had lived in their home for 55 years. There were no other options for them to move to a smaller house when they considered downsizing Myrtle Beach. They chose high-rise assisted living, or neighborhoods they didn’t like to live in. They moved an hour and a half away.

Because it was hard for my grandparents to move from their home and all they knew to a place that would “help them age,” I often tell this story. Their experience and my grandparents are part of the inspiration that eventually led to Cottages on Vaughan.

Residents would be more able to choose from a variety of housing options and aging in place and could downsize while staying in their community if there was a better policy.

Downsizing Services and Aging in Place

Scarcity is the main driver of our current housing crisis. There is a shortage of housing in all major markets across the country. Many young people and millennials are losing the dream of homeownership, while long-time residents are finding it increasingly difficult to envision a future in which they can remain in their communities.

This is an easily solved problem. Seniors can downsize and remain in their homes with dignity. Many years were spent researching, creating policies that would allow for such projects, and finally building. The interest list for the first Georgia pocket-neighborhood had risen to over 1,500 by the time that the plans were made.

Cottages on Vaughan showed that it wasn’t about the size of a home, but rather the nature of the design. Built to enable a community thrive, pocket neighborhoods or cottage courts are called cottage courts.

All eight homeowners were attracted to it. They wanted to be part of a community.

To create more Cottages, we need to encourage more people to discuss housing.

Since the nuclear-family era, our family sizes and household size have dramatically changed. It’s time to make changes in our zoning regulations and land-use rules. The MicroLife Institute’s goal is to provide affordable housing options. No matter if you’re looking for cottage courts, accessory dwelling units or duplexes, everyone should be able to have the right-sized home that suits their needs and lifestyle. You should call a professional organizer to help you with the process.

Call Brunswick Organizing Solutions if you need downsizing services or the assistance of professional organizers.

Brunswick Organizing Solutions
Leland, NC 28451
910-477-3768
https://www.getorganizednc.com/

Brunswick Organizing Solutions
Shallotte, NC 28470
910-477-3768

Brunswick Organizing Solutions
Myrtle Beach, SC 29577
843-429-8158

Cities Served
Leland, Wilmington, Shallotte, North Myrtle Beach, Myrtle Beach, Southport, Bolivia, St. James, Oak Island, Ocean Isle Beach, Sunset Beach, Carolina Shores, Calabash, Castle Hayne, Burgaw – Brunswick and Horry County

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