In a newly-published report, Evidence-Based Actions to Help HUD-Assisted Older Adults Remain Healthy and Age in Their Community, the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report on 24 intervention categories with sufficient or strong evidence pertinent to the health of older adults that support the aging in place of older adult HUD-assisted tenants. In April 2021, HUD and CDC agreed to work together to identify evidence-informed policies and practices related to aging in place and what is needed, relevant, and immediate for HUD-assisted tenants at this time.

The report found two key drivers of success for the aging in place of older adult HUD residents. First, health care system interventions and partnership opportunities for management of existing chronic health conditions and to reduce risk for falls. Second, programs and services that HUD could offer or partner to provide to promote health and reduce risk of chronic physical and mental health conditions that contribute to transitions out of independent living.

“HUD’s priority for the approximately 1.8 million older adults they serve annually is to provide stable, affordable housing that enables individuals to remain in their homes as they age. Based on this priority, HUD seeks to focus on preventing transitions out of the community setting and into institutional settings,” the report says.