WHY AGING IN PLACE & UNIVERSAL DESIGN ARE THE FUTURE OF HOUSING

Maria Nicholson
Oct 19
4 min read

The Housing Market Shift: Why Aging in Place, Accessibility, and Universal Design Must Start Now

The American housing market is changing — and it’s not just about interest rates or supply. As the U.S. population ages and multi-generational living increases, the need for homes designed with accessibility, safety, and universal design has never been greater.

At Project Build Construction & Interiors, we believe the time to prepare is now — to build smarter, retrofit sooner, and design inclusively for the way real families live today.

The Demographic Imperative: Why the Time Is Now

A rapidly aging population

By 2034, older adults (65+) will outnumber children under 18 for the first time in U.S. history. Millions want to age in place — to live safely and comfortably in their own homes. But the current housing stock isn’t ready for this demographic wave.

According to the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies, only about 10% of homes are “aging-ready.”

Multi-generational households are rising

More families than ever are sharing homes across generations — grandparents, adult children, and grandchildren. Homes now need to accommodate all ages and abilities, which is why universal design and accessibility remodeling are no longer optional — they’re essential.

Why This Matters for the Housing Market

Aging-ready homes have higher resale value and appeal to a wider audience.

Retrofitting early prevents costly emergency renovations later.

Builders who prioritize accessibility gain a competitive market edge.

Multi-gen design future-proofs the home for decades.

In short, aging in place is not just a lifestyle preference — it’s a housing market revolution.

Understanding Aging in Place, Accessibility, and Universal Design

Aging in Place

Living safely and independently in one’s own home regardless of age or ability.

Accessibility

Designing spaces that accommodate everyone — from older adults and people with disabilities to visiting relatives.

Universal Design

Building homes that are usable by all without special adaptation. Examples include:

No-step entries
Walk-in showers
Lever handles
Wide doorways and halls
Smart lighting systems

These aren’t just senior-friendly features — they’re family-friendly solutions for long-term comfort and safety.

Why We Must Be Proactive — Not Reactive

Waiting until a fall or health issue occurs means reactive and expensive decisions.

According to the National Poll on Healthy Aging, fewer than half of older adults have made even basic home safety updates — despite the known risks.

The truth:

Falls are the #1 cause of injury among older adults.

Institutional care can cost $50K–$100K per year, while proactive aging-in-place modifications average under $20K.

Retrofitting before it’s urgent allows for better design, quality, and peace of mind.

How You Can Advocate for Accessible Homes

Homeowners & Families

Evaluate your home for trip hazards, narrow doors, and poor lighting.

Add universal upgrades gradually — lever handles, grab bars, and smart lights.

Involve family in planning for multi-gen living.

Work with a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS) for design guidance.

Schedule a Virtual or Onsite Consultation with Maria for a personalized roadmap.

Builders & Developers

Design universal layouts and advertise homes as “future-ready.”

Partner with accessibility professionals to stay ahead of building trends.

Advocate for local zoning incentives supporting aging-in-place homes.

Collaborate with experts like Project Build Construction & Interiors for accessibility-integrated design.

Community Advocates & Policymakers

Promote tax credits for accessibility retrofits.

Encourage ADU-friendly zoning for multi-generational housing.

Partner with local organizations to educate residents on aging-ready homes.

Case Study: The Smith Family Retrofit Project

Challenge:

A three-generation family — grandparents (74/70), parents (45/43), and adult daughter (22) — lived in a two-story home with no bedroom or bath on the first floor.

Solution:

Through a virtual and on-site consultation with Maria at Project Build:

Added a zero-step entry with slip-resistant ramp.

Converted the dining room into a main-level bedroom and bathroom with a roll-in shower.

Installed reinforced walls for future grab bars.

Updated kitchen layout for accessibility and convenience.

Upgraded lighting, flooring, and door widths throughout.

Result:

The grandparents can now live safely at home for years to come.

The home’s value and market appeal increased.

The family avoided crisis-driven remodeling costs.

Every generation benefits from comfort, safety, and style.

This is what proactive design looks like — homes built for life, not just for now.

The Role of Advocacy

Every homeowner and builder has the power to shape the housing future. By requesting accessible features in your renovations, supporting universal design policies, and sharing success stories, you become part of the movement toward inclusive, sustainable living.

It’s time to transform the housing conversation — from reactive crisis response to proactive, thoughtful design.

Ready to Get Started?

Project Build Construction & Interiors makes accessibility simple, stylish, and achievable.

Our Services

Virtual Consultations — Nationwide guidance via Zoom with Maria Nicholson, CAPS.

On-Site Consultations — Personalized in-home assessments in California.

Design-Build Remodeling — From concept to completion, with a focus on accessibility and aesthetics.

Book your consultation now:

www.projectbuildinteriors.com

info@projectbuildinteriors.com

About Maria Nicholson

Maria Nicholson is a Certified Aging in Place Specialist (CAPS), Designer Remodeler, Advocate, Wife, Mother, Grandmother, and Fellow Midlifer.

As President and CEO of Project Build Construction & Interiors, Maria has led homeowners toward safer, more accessible living for over 35 years.

Her expertise combines functional design with compassion — creating homes that celebrate independence, style, and dignity. Maria also hosts The Sageful Life Podcast, inspiring midlifers to live boldly and age wisely.