Speaker
Description
Many countries, including Türkiye, are undergoing significant demographic shifts. Türkiye’s elderly population comprising 10.2% of the total population and projections indicate this share will rise to 12.9% by 2030 (TÜİK, 2024). As housing is a key determinant of health, providing adequate and appropriate living environments for the elderly has become more critical than ever. While concerns about ensuring suitable housing for the aging population are increasing, substantial efforts are still required from both governments, local authorities and other actors to develop sustainable and effective solutions. For example, the Housing Development Administration of Türkiye (TOKİ), the primary governmental agency responsible for affordable housing provision, has an initiative aimed at providing accessible housing for the elderly, focusing specifically on retirees. While such governmental efforts are critical in ensuring housing affordability for the elderly, there is limited research on the extent to which these initiatives align with the actual housing needs of the aging population and how comprehensively they address the issue. To address the gap in the literature, this research aims to answer two primary questions: To what extent do current housing policies and practices in Türkiye meet the needs of elderly individuals? And, how effective and comprehensive are these policies in addressing these needs? In order to respond the first research question, a systematic review of official documents (legislation, policy papers, national strategies) and academic literature was conducted. A timeline was constructed to identify trends and gaps, while content analysis highlighted key policy themes, target groups, implementation mechanisms, and evaluation frameworks. To address the second research question, secondary data from the Turkish Statistical Institute (TÜİK) and the Ministry of Family and Social Services were analyzed to assess the demographic profile of the elderly population and the spatial distribution of housing services across Türkiye. Thereafter, the results from this analysis, which highlight regional variations and potential disparities in service provision, were compared and evaluated against existing policies and practices to determine their alignment and effectiveness. Our findings reveal the limitations of housing policies and practices for the aging population in Türkiye, emphasizing significant regional disparities in the availability of elderly housing services. While metropolitan areas feature relatively higher concentrations of both private and public elderly care facilities, other regions face limited access to affordable housing, exacerbating inequalities in service provision. The research seeks to guide policymakers and planners by offering practical recommendations for creating fair and inclusive housing solutions for elderly individuals throughout Türkiye.
| Keywords | elderly, affordable housing, healthy aging, housing policy |
|---|---|
| Best Congress Paper Award | Yes |
