The construction of senior housing in the United States has reached its lowest point in over a decade, coinciding with a growing population of older adults.
The National Investment Center for Seniors Housing and Care reports that the number of senior housing units currently under construction is at its lowest since 2012, with a mere 0.4% inventory growth year over year in the first quarter of 2026, marking a record low.
In 2023, the number of new senior housing units that began construction fell below 15,000, the lowest figure since 2010. Additionally, the average construction duration for these projects has increased significantly, rising from 21 months in 2017 to 29 months in 2023.
As a result, the industry is now delivering more units than it is starting, leading to a notable increase in occupancy rates, which have risen for 19 consecutive quarters, reaching 89.5% in early 2026.
In North Texas, the population aged 60 and over is projected to grow by 33.5% within five years, from 573,265 in 2019 to an estimated 765,329 by 2024. This demographic shift highlights the growing need for senior housing, yet the current construction trends indicate a significant gap between supply and demand, primarily driven by rising costs rather than a lack of interest in the market.
