Social Isolation and Loneliness in Subsidized Senior Housing: A Scoping Review from a Socio-Ecological Perspective

Subsidized senior housing (SSH) is an affordable, policy-supported housing designed to support aging in place among low-income older adults, often through on-site services and service coordination. Despite these supports, social isolation and loneliness remain prevalent among SSH residents. Guided by a socio-ecological framework, this study synthesizes evidence from 14 eligible studies examining factors associated with social isolation and loneliness in SSH settings. At the individual level, health status, functional limitations, psychological competence, and socioeconomic resources were associated with social isolation and loneliness. At the interpersonal level, family support generally functioned as a protective factor, whereas peer relationships showed mixed effects, both fostering belonging and contributing to isolation. At the community and organizational levels, supportive built and social environments, including communal spaces and mutual trust, were linked to lower levels of social isolation and loneliness. At the societal level, broader contextual forces, particularly the COVID-19 pandemic, reshaped social interactions through changes in technology use, social distancing, and building-level policies. Findings suggest that social isolation and loneliness in SSH arise from a dynamic interplay between individual characteristics and environmental contexts. Supporting social well-being in SSH may require multilevel efforts that strengthen individual capacity and foster supportive community and policy environments.