Worcester Business Journal

36 Worcester Business Journal | November 2, 2026 | wbjournal.com BY SLOANE M. PERRON A rapidly aging population and a shortage of avail- able homes are creating a senior housing crunch in Central Massachusetts. e region is projected to add 14,800 households headed by individuals age 70 or older between 2025 and 2035, ac- cording to the Massachusetts Executive Office of Housing and Livable Commu- nities' Central Massachusetts Housing Snapshot. e housing market – already strug- gling to meet demand – faces additional pressure as older residents looking to downsize face limited options. In addi- tion, seniors on fixed incomes confront rising maintenance and utility costs in a struggle to stay in their homes, and others with lower incomes see years- long waits for affordable units. Meanwhile, rising construction costs, high interest rates and zoning challeng- es are making it increasingly difficult for developers to build new housing, leaving the region – and the state – struggling to accommodate its rapidly aging population. Understanding the Housing Gap e Central Massachusetts Regional Planning Commission (CMRPC) proj- ects a housing shortfall of approximate- ly 6,000 units over the next five to 10 years. According to the organization's latest Regional Housing and Transpor- tation Study, 14,000 to 15,000 housing units are needed to accommodate the projected population, but only 8,000 to 9,000 units are expected to be permit- ted for future construction, leaving a shortfall. e elderly population also faces a crossroads, as seniors have different housing needs depending on whether they wish to age in place or downsize. ose remaining in their homes face rising maintenance and utility costs, while those looking to downsize com- pete with a younger generation seeking starter homes. As a result, limited housing stock is pitting generations against each other in an increasingly competitive market. "What we don't have a lot of in our region would be smaller, more acces- sible homes," said CMRPC Planning and Transportation Researcher Jordan Hollinger. "A lot of our housing stock is older. ... So, there's a whole slew of hous- ing typologies that we don't see a lot of, and we call that missing middle housing." Building more housing units would address the shortage, but strict zoning bylaws can discourage de- velopers. Even in communities where multi- family housing is taking place, development is oen limited to three units per parcel. CMRPC is also explor- ing alterna- tive housing solutions, including a new three-year HomeShare program in Worcester. Funded through the Massachusetts Community Health and Healthy Aging Funds, the pilot program will connect older homeowners who have extra space with individuals looking for COURTESY PHOTO SENIOR RESOURCE GUIDE Jordan Hollinger, CMRPC Planning and Transportation researcher Senior housing squeeze Aging population faces limited market across Central Mass. The Arbella at Bramble Hill is a 123-unit community developed by United Group of Companies for adults 55 and older.

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