Housing Cost Burden in Elderly Households - When Does the Problem Start?

Abstract The paper – based on individual-level EU-SILC data – examines the extent of housing cost overburden among older adults (65+) in Poland and identifies the key risk factors associated with this phenomenon in this age group. The findings indicate a clear disparity between the housing cost burden of older people and that of the general population, with living in a single-person household emerging as the primary risk factor. In most cases, the onset of housing cost overburden coincides with the death of a spouse. The risk is higher among residents of larger cities as well as those living in detached or terraced houses. Women are also more likely to experience difficulties with housing costs. Given the anticipated deterioration in the financial situation of older adults (declining replacement rates and the growing prevalence of single-person households), there is an urgent need to develop a long-term housing policy strategy that explicitly addresses the needs of older people - needs that have so far remained largely marginalized.