Housing Solutions Center

Despite the perception that older Americans are more housing secure than younger people, from 2007 to 2011, more than 1.5 million older Americans lost their homes as a result of the mortgage crisis. As of December 2011, approximately 3.5 million loans of people age 50+ were underwater-meaning homeowners owe more than their home is worth, so they have no equity; 600,000 loans of people age 50+ were in foreclosure, and another 625,000 loans were 90 or more days delinquent.

AARP Foundation's Housing Solutions Center connects 50+ at-risk homeowners to free HUD-certified counseling, resources and education that will help them avoid foreclosure and remain in their homes.

Through the Housing Solutions Center, 50+ homeowners facing the threat of foreclosure can take action today by speaking with a HUD-certified counselor and learning more by accessing our online foreclosure prevention presentation and unique podcasts.

Homeowners and renters, including older adult households are paying more of their incomes on housing which is jeopardizing their ability to maintain their lifestyles and save for their futures as they age. This paper examines US Census household data for insight into how difficult economic times are negatively impacting middle class 50+ households. It finds that the percentage of middle-income families who spent 30 percent or more of their income on housing has grown from 20 percent in 2000 to 29 percent in 2009.