What Happens When Healthier Boomers and Ambitious Builders Mix?

Occupancy rates for senior housing were at 87.9 percent in the second and third quarters of this year, the lowest since 2011, according to The Real Deal . Still, there are plenty who are bullish on the market. A prime example is Related Companies, which announced this past month that it is partnering with manager Atria Senior Living to build $3 billion worth of high-end urban rentals aimed at seniors over the next five years. Overzealous building is a concern, though, as many boomers likely won't move into this housing until they start reaching around 80 years old, which isn't until 2026. "Everyone sees the demand, and they can't quite figure out exactly when to time it," observes Brookdale Senior Living CEO Lucinda Baier.