Research Reports

This research project provides a comprehensive analysis of supply and demand for senior housing in rural Pennsylvania (PA). It aims to paint a picture of the housing circumstances of the seniors (aged 65 and over) by analyzing population projections, demographics, housing situations, and financial conditions. In 2020, seniors represented 21 percent of the rural population and are projected to account for 25 percent of the rural population by 2050. They have a lower median income compared to seniors living in urban areas and as compared to statewide household income. A majority of seniors (81 percent) own their homes, and most of them own or rent properties that were built before 1970. For senior renters, a big proportion of them (44 percent) bear high rental costs of at least 30 percent or more of their income. Furthermore, housing costs and rents are generally not affordable for low-income senior homeowners or renters across most rural Pennsylvania counties. The study produced estimates of supply and demand for rental units designated for seniors, and based on these estimates, there are at least 16,415 fewer units than are necessary to house all low-income seniors in rural Pennsylvania. To further explore the current senior housing situation, the researchers conducted a survey, which was sent to all 48 rural County Area Agencies on Aging (AAA). Ninety-five percent of the survey respondents highlighted a major supply shortage in affordable senior housing. Finally, this project provides practical recommendations to policymakers to address the urgent and future need for affordable senior housing.

Pennsylvania has recently emerged as a center of warehousing development on the East Coast. New distribution facilities can provide economic benefits, but also present challenges for surrounding communities. Using Geographic Information System (GIS) analysis of publicly available data, stakeholder outreach, and media analysis, this project evaluates the impacts of warehouse growth in the state and uses six case study counties to explore employment trends, traffic impacts, and other community changes, such as land use and population, over the last 10 years. Results demonstrate growth in the number of warehouses and warehousing jobs, growth in collisions involving smaller commercial vehicles, and specific community concerns in rural areas. In addition, average labor income and the share of total value added by direct employment in general warehousing jobs are both higher in rural counties than in urban counties. These results will help inform land-use, transportation, and economic development policies at the local and state levels.