Housing Jamaica's ageing population

Anetheo Jackson Guest Columnist

The 2011 Population and Housing Census indicates that Jamaica's population growth rate is at a new low of 0.36 per cent, compared to 0.87 per cent in 2001. This low growth rate is the second lowest since census-taking began in the late 19th century.

The data also indicate that the population is ageing. In 2001, the proportion of the population 60 years and over was approximately 10 per cent, and in 2011, this segment accounts for 11.3 per cent. Evidence of the ageing population can also be seen by the data on the median age, which is currently 27, but was 24 in 2001; 22 in 1991; and 17 in 1970.

This downward trend in the population growth, combined with an upward trend in the aged proportion of the population, forces one to examine the implications for the country's housing and infrastructure development. The reported number of dwelling units in 2001 was 723,041. This number increased by 130,619, to 853,660 units.

Projections based on the 2001 census data indicate that if housing supply is to keep pace with demand, the housing stock should grow by approximately 15,000 units per annum. Between 2001 and 2011, the average annual addition to the housing stock is 13,062, which indicates a mean deficit of approximately 2,000 new dwelling units per annum over the last 10 years.

At a cursory glance, the task of addressing the challenge of a persistent housing deficit may be deemed hopeful when considered against a declining population growth. However, such a conclusion would be hasty, as the demand for housing is a function of many other variables, including the rate of formation of new households, household size, income levels, income distribution and government policy.

As such, while the declining population growth suggests a downward pressure on the housing deficit and perhaps a lessening of the challenge for planning and infrastructure development, a close look at the population composition will reveal gaps in our housing solutions if the current and future housing stock is not adequately or appropriately designed to meet the housing needs of the aged.

NEEDS OF THE AGED

Housing need is concerned with the extent to which the basic accommodation requirements of households are met, irrespective of their ability to pay, while housing demand refers to people's willingness and ability to pay. The aged have inequalities in productivity and wealth which directly affect their housing demand. Additionally, the aged have inequalities in health, mobility, safety requirements and level of dependence on public services, which specifically affect their housing need.

Ageing is also accompanied by loneliness and social isolation, which exacerbate the problems associated with ill-health. Though one might argue that in general the aged have no effective housing demand, or that the housing demand of the elderly is constrained by diminishing productivity in later life, the housing needs of the aged are certain.

Therefore, if the housing needs of ageing Jamaicans are not met, the housing gap is far more than a numbers game. This implies new challenges in future-proofing the country's plans for housing and infrastructure development. On the other hand, these needs also point to new opportunities in the housing market, in that the matching of solutions to problems, or the filling of gaps, is at the base of the synergy between demand and supply in transforming ideas to new products and uncovering new markets.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Where a country has a demographic trend such as an ageing population, housing and infrastructure development must be forward-thinking in order to explore and develop innovative ideas that will meet the collective needs of the population.

Since Independence, Jamaica has experimented with several housing programmes, with the aim of improving the quality of life for Jamaicans. The target group in these programmes are generally low- and middle-income groups.

The Ministry of Housing established the Indigent Housing Programme in order to provide accommodation for groups with special needs such as the disabled and the aged. A more recent Special Indigent Housing Programme, coordinated by a unit in the Office of the Prime Minister, has continued this effort. However, though such housing responses are commendable and should be encouraged, they tend to be reactive programmes and are inadequate for meeting the housing needs of an ageing population.

A noticeable trend in other countries with ageing populations and shrinking housing options is the granting of an increasing number of permits to developers to build private retirement homes, as well as medium- to high-density housing solutions. Within the last few decades, rapid urbanisation has popularised medium- to high-density housing in Jamaica. Such developments could be further encouraged in response to the housing demand and needs of our ageing population.

These communities are generally designed to include the required amenities for senior citizens such as customised recreational spaces, walking paths, benches, age-friendly colour choices, ramps for mobile chairs, easy access to transportation or even customised bus services. These communities could target different income groups within the aged and may be a suitable option to some elderly citizens who currently occupy large lots and are desirous of downsizing.

Not only will such developments help to reduce the housing gap for the elderly, they will help to stem the overall housing deficit by making existing dwellings vacant for new households. Though some Jamaicans may argue that these options will not be favourable, such cooperative housing solutions may be the best fit when the cost associated with caring for the elderly is juxtaposed against our poor pension schemes.

The fundamental point, though, is that with an ageing population, there is a growing market segment for ageing-friendly housing solutions and new opportunities to develop our own mix of housing solutions that cater to the needs of the elderly.

Given the ageing population trend, a future-proofed plan for housing and infrastructure development is one that takes into account the needs of the elderly and proposes new and feasible housing solutions and ageing-friendly communities. Ageing-friendly communities allow for assisted living while facilitating independence of the elderly.

If Jamaicans are living longer, communities with the appropriate infrastructure and that are spatial planned to facilitate active ageing, longer years of productivity, access to social services and mobility are key elements of a future-proofed plan. Such communities must reflect the collective preference and values of the young as well as the elderly. Therefore, planners, local government officials and developers must understand the housing and infrastructure needs of an ageing population in deciding what to build and where to build it.

They must also ensure the priorities of the communities inform building plans and form the backdrop for assessing development proposals. This implies that our subdivision regulations and zoning ordinances must also be updated, where necessary, in order to equip our local government officials with the tools to ensure that the needs of the ageing population can be satisfied.

In addition to the specific implications for housing and infrastructure development, population ageing has implications for land tenure, land use and overall land development. One quick example can be seen in our agricultural sector, which until recently has been declining. Some researchers contend that a declining agricultural sector is, in part, attributable to an ageing rural population, in that elderly farmers have no incentive to expand as the likely successors. And, usually, children to whom the land is transferred have no interest in farming.

Jamaica's 2007 Agricultural Census reported a reduction of more than 20 percent of land in farms between 1996 and 2007. Additionally, data from the World Bank on the sector's productivity indicate that the value added per worker declined during this period.

Though no claim is being made that the ageing population is the main cause of this decline, the combined impact of the aged agricultural labour force, and the declining interest of the young in farming, during this period cannot be ignored.

Finally, given the likely implications of an ageing population on housing, agriculture, and other areas of land use, development planning and, specifically, land-use planning for an ageing population cannot be undertaken as infants.

Decision-makers must be mindful of the issues associated with land management and the ageing population in order to identify gaps in our existing policies and be willing to discard outmoded theories and tools in favour of new ones which are in line with our socio-economic and sociocultural realities.

Anetheo Jackson is lecturer in the Faculty of the Built Environment, UTech. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and ajackson@utech.edu.jm.

Housing Jamaica's ageing population

The 2011 Population and Housing Census indicates that Jamaica's population growth rate is at a new low of 0.36 per cent, compared to 0.87 per cent in 2001. This low growth rate is the second lowest since census-taking began in the late 19th century.

The data also indicate that the population is ageing. In 2001, the proportion of the population 60 years and over was approximately 10 per cent, and in 2011, this segment accounts for 11.3 per cent. Evidence of the ageing population can also be seen by the data on the median age, which is currently 27, but was 24 in 2001; 22 in 1991; and 17 in 1970.

This downward trend in the population growth, combined with an upward trend in the aged proportion of the population, forces one to examine the implications for the country's housing and infrastructure development. The reported number of dwelling units in 2001 was 723,041. This number increased by 130,619, to 853,660 units.

Projections based on the 2001 census data indicate that if housing supply is to keep pace with demand, the housing stock should grow by approximately 15,000 units per annum. Between 2001 and 2011, the average annual addition to the housing stock is 13,062, which indicates a mean deficit of approximately 2,000 new dwelling units per annum over the last 10 years.

At a cursory glance, the task of addressing the challenge of a persistent housing deficit may be deemed hopeful when considered against a declining population growth. However, such a conclusion would be hasty, as the demand for housing is a function of many other variables, including the rate of formation of new households, household size, income levels, income distribution and government policy.

As such, while the declining population growth suggests a downward pressure on the housing deficit and perhaps a lessening of the challenge for planning and infrastructure development, a close look at the population composition will reveal gaps in our housing solutions if the current and future housing stock is not adequately or appropriately designed to meet the housing needs of the aged.

NEEDS OF THE AGED

Housing need is concerned with the extent to which the basic accommodation requirements of households are met, irrespective of their ability to pay, while housing demand refers to people's willingness and ability to pay. The aged have inequalities in productivity and wealth which directly affect their housing demand. Additionally, the aged have inequalities in health, mobility, safety requirements and level of dependence on public services, which specifically affect their housing need.

Ageing is also accompanied by loneliness and social isolation, which exacerbate the problems associated with ill health. Though one might argue that in general the aged have no effective housing demand, or that the housing demand of the elderly is constrained by diminishing productivity in later life, the housing needs of the aged are certain.

Therefore, if the housing needs of ageing Jamaicans are not met, the housing gap is far more than a numbers game. This implies new challenges in future-proofing the country's plans for housing and infrastructure development. On the other hand, these needs also point to new opportunities in the housing market, in that the matching of solutions to problems, or the filling of gaps, is at the base of the synergy between demand and supply in transforming ideas to new products and uncovering new markets.

NEW OPPORTUNITIES

Where a country has a demographic trend such as an ageing population, housing and infrastructure development must be forward-thinking in order to explore and develop innovative ideas that will meet the collective needs of the population.

Since Independence, Jamaica has experimented with several housing programmes, with the aim of improving the quality of life for Jamaicans. The target groups in these programmes are generally low- and middle-income groups.

The Ministry of Housing established the Indigent Housing Programme in order to provide accommodation for groups with special needs such as the disabled and the aged. A more recent Special Indigent Housing Programme, coordinated by a unit in the Office of the Prime Minister, has continued this effort. However, though such housing responses are commendable and should be encouraged, they tend to be reactive programmes and are inadequate for meeting the housing needs of an ageing population.

A noticeable trend in other countries with ageing populations and shrinking housing options is the granting of an increasing number of permits to developers to build private retirement homes, as well as medium- to high-density housing solutions. Within the last few decades, rapid urbanisation has popularised medium- to high-density housing in Jamaica. Such developments could be further encouraged in response to the housing demand and needs of our ageing population.

These communities are generally designed to include the required amenities for senior citizens such as customised recreational spaces, walking paths, benches, age-friendly colour choices, ramps for mobile chairs, easy access to transportation, or even customised bus services. These communities could target different income groups within the aged and may be a suitable option to some elderly citizens who currently occupy large lots and are desirous of downsizing.

Not only will such developments help to reduce the housing gap for the elderly, they will help to stem the overall housing deficit by making existing dwellings vacant for new households. Though some Jamaicans may argue that these options will not be favourable, such cooperative housing solutions may be the best fit when the cost associated with caring for the elderly is juxtaposed against our poor pension schemes.

The fundamental point, though, is that with an ageing population, there is a growing market segment for ageing-friendly housing solutions and new opportunities to develop our own mix of housing solutions that cater to the needs of the elderly.

Given the ageing population trend, a future-proofed plan for housing and infrastructure development is one that takes into account the needs of the elderly and proposes new and feasible housing solutions and ageing-friendly communities. Ageing-friendly communities allow for assisted living while facilitating independence of the elderly.

If Jamaicans are living longer, communities with the appropriate infrastructure and that are spatial planned to facilitate active ageing, longer years of productivity, access to social services and mobility are key elements of a future-proofed plan. Such communities must reflect the collective preference and values of the young as well as the elderly. Therefore, planners, local government officials and developers must understand the housing and infrastructure needs of an ageing population in deciding what to build and where to build it.

development proposals

They must also ensure the priorities of the communities inform building plans and form the backdrop for assessing development proposals. This implies that our subdivision regulations and zoning ordinances must also be updated, where necessary, in order to equip our local government officials with the tools to ensure that the needs of the ageing population can be satisfied.

In addition to the specific implications for housing and infrastructure development, population ageing has implications for land tenure, land use and overall land development. One quick example can be seen in our agricultural sector which, until recently, has been declining. Some researchers contend that a declining agricultural sector is, in part, attributable to an ageing rural population, in that elderly farmers have no incentive to expand as the likely successors. And, usually, children to whom the land is transferred have no interest in farming.

Jamaica's 2007 Agricultural Census reported a reduction of more than 20 per cent of land in farms between 1996 and 2007. Additionally, data from the World Bank on the sector's productivity indicate that the value added per worker declined during this period.

Though no claim is being made that the ageing population is the main cause of this decline, the combined impact of the aged agricultural labour force, and the declining interest of the young in farming, during this period cannot be ignored.

Finally, given the likely implications of an ageing population on housing, agriculture, and other areas of land use, development planning and, specifically, land-use planning for an ageing population, cannot be undertaken as infants.

Decision-makers must be mindful of the issues associated with land management and the ageing population in order to identify gaps in our existing policies and be willing to discard outmoded theories and tools in favour of new ones which are in line with our socio-economic and sociocultural realities.

Anetheo Jackson is lecturer in the Faculty of the Built Environment, UTech. Email feedback to columns@gleanerjm.com and ajackson@utech.edu.jm.