Gathering evidence to spark affordable rental housing

Serving Our Seniors is gathering information from Erie County retirees to better understand the growing challenge of affordable rental housing for middle-income older adults. The organization is inviting local residents to participate in one of 10 small listening sessions taking place June 8-12, 2026, 8:15-8:45 a.m. or 9-9:30 a.m. at The Erie County Services Center, 2900 Columbus Ave., Perkins Township. Each group is limited to seven to 10 participants. Two years ago, Serving Our Seniors and the Register raised concerns at a public forum about the rising cost of housing in Erie County. Since then, the new housing development has focused on upper-middle and higher-income residents, including projects such as Battery Park and a recently announced development in Huron. While a 132-unit apartment project for lower-income retirees and disabled residents is planned in Sandusky, Serving Our Seniors is not aware of any current or proposed housing options aimed at middle-income retirees seeking affordable market-rate rentals that are no more than $750 a month in rent. The organization is seeking participants aged 60 and older who currently live in rental housing and pay at least $900 per month or more for a one-bedroom apartment without subsidies. Serving Our Seniors is especially concerned about the long-term impact rising rents could have on older adults living on fixed incomes. National projections show the Social Security trust fund could face a financial shortfall by 2032, potentially resulting in a 25% reduction in benefits if Congress fails to act. For many retirees already struggling to keep up with market-rate rent, such a reduction could make stable housing unaffordable and place thousands of older adults at risk for homelessness. The information gathered will help Serving Our Seniors evaluate the gravity of the consequences if modest, affordable housing for middle-income retirees fails to become available over the next five years. Findings could serve as the catalyst needed for local, state and federal leaders, nonprofits, charitable foundations and developers to prioritize the construction of small, modest, affordable rental housing options for middle-income retirees living in Erie County. To learn more or register for a listening session, call Serving Our Seniors at 419-624-1856 before May 30. Ask for Sue Daugherty's voicemail or select option 3, then option 0, and leave your name and phone number for a return call.