Senior woman walking in park (Bigstock).

The longer life expectancy of Americans and the tendency for women to outlive their male spouses and partners are at least two reasons the housing needs of older, single women should be noted in the coming years says the Harvard Joint Center for Housing Studies.

In “As Baby Boomers Age, Older Single Women Will Face the Greatest Housing Challenges,” the author says women who rent rather than own their homes are at the greatest risk. Having the financial means to make home modifications and secure assistance with daily activities and care becomes more difficult for those with fixed incomes.

Illinois REALTORS who want a better understanding of the issue and see related charts and graphs can read the blog post.