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HOUSING NEEDS <br />AGE CHARACTERISTICS <br />Age characteristics profoundly influence housing needs. Typically, younger <br />households look for more affordable rental opportunities as they begin their <br />careers and accumulate wealth. As adults begin to form families, the demand <br />increases for larger rentals or more affordable single - family homes that can <br />accommodate children. Demand for move -up housing is strongest as residents <br />approach the peak earning years of 45 -64. As retirement approaches, seniors may <br />wish to downsize into smaller units that are more easily maintained. <br />140 <br />Chart A -4: Changes in Age 120 WWW_ 2000 � 00 201 � <br />Distribution <br />Population in Thousands 80 <br />Santa Ana's middle age adults and seniors are 60 <br />aging in place. <br />40 <br />Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2010. 20 - <br />Under 20 College Age Family Forming Middle Age Seniors <br />(20 -24) (25 -44) (45 -64) (65 and aver) <br />As a result of population decrease, Santa Ana experienced a decline in its child, <br />college age, and family- forming population subgroups between 2000 and 2010. In <br />2010, children under age 20 and family- forming adults (25 to 44) each comprised <br />about 33 percent of the City's residents. The college age subgroup represented 9 <br />percent of the population. The number of children and youth under age 20 <br />decreased byl3 percent, and the college and family- forming population each <br />decreased by 11 percent in that period. <br />Both the middle age and senior populations grew between 2000 and 2010. <br />Growth in both of these subgroups coincides with the nationwide aging baby <br />boomer generation. These changes, shown in Chart A -4, indicate that residents in <br />Santa Ana are aging in place, which may create additional demand for affordable <br />housing opportunities as these subgroups become dependent on fixed incomes. <br />New housing types such as multigenerational and cohousing could also be viable <br />options for this segment of the City's population. <br />With the aging of the baby boom population, Santa Ana can expect to see a <br />modest increase in demand for senior housing. However, since Santa Ana has a <br />lower percentage of middle -aged adults compared to other cities in Orange <br />County, the impact may be less than expected. These demographic trends shape <br />housing demand and provide an opportunity to institute responsive policies and <br />programs. <br />A -4 <br />CITY OF SANTA ANA GENERAL PLAN HOUSING ELEMENT <br />