Melissa Arena

The United States faces a pressing dual challenge: an aging population at risk of social isolation and a housing market that has struggled to keep pace with evolving care needs. Traditional senior housing models often separate rather than connect, leaving many older adults without meaningful community and compounding the emotional toll of aging. At the same time, younger adults with support needs are frequently placed in environments not designed to nurture independence or emotional well-being. This disconnect not only reduces quality of life but also contributes to unsustainable costs for families and systems alike.