The Growing Need for 55+ Housing in South Windsor

South Windsor is changing — gradually, but clearly. Many residents are entering their 50s and 60s, and yet the housing market isn’t keeping pace with what this demographic needs

. More than a few longtime residents have expressed that when the time comes to downsize, they must leave town. That’s not just inconvenient; it’s a loss for the community.

Here’s what the data and the Estates at 100 Oakland project make clear:

Demographics & Demand

• South Windsor has 26,918 residents, of whom about 8,044 are aged 55 and over — roughly 30% of the population. 100 Oakland+1

• Yet only about 350 households in the town are over-55 housing residences: less than 4%. 100 Oakland+1

• In recent real estate market activity, there have been about 48 over-55 resale homes on the market over the past three years. That’s a small supply for a large and growing age cohort. 100 Oakland+1

This mismatch — many residents wanting or needing to downsize or find age-friendly housing, but few available options — is what makes projects like 100 Oakland not just desirable, but necessary.

What 100 Oakland Offers

The Estates at 100 Oakland aims to help meet this demand in several ways:

• 69 one-story homes (single-family homes and duplexes), all owner-occupied. 100 Oakland

• Homes range in size from 1,200 to 2,400 square feet; each has 2+ bedrooms, 2 baths, an attached 1- or 2-car garage, full basement, whole-house air conditioning. 100 Oakland

• Eleven of those 69 homes will be designated affordable (for people whose income is at or below 80% of area median income), and they will be indistinguishable in appearance and quality from the market-rate homes. 100 Oakland

Alignment with Town Goals & Quality of Life

• The project aligns with the Town’s Plan of Conservation and Development (POCD) which calls explicitly for more 55+ housing, so residents can stay in town in one-floor homes where they can “age in place”. 100 Oakland

• It’s not just about homes, but community: walkable design, porches, sidewalks, community clubhouse, trails, ponds, native landscaping, allowing neighbors to connect, enjoy nature, and maintain an active lifestyle. 100 Oakland

Impact & Benefits

• Without new 55+ housing, many residents will eventually move out of town simply because of lack of options. That weakens community continuity.

• New communities like this also bring tax revenue, but without adding kids to the school system (which often is one of the biggest cost burdens for towns).

• Active adult neighborhoods tend to place lower demands on town services. Snow removal, road repair, sidewalks, etc., are planned to be handled by the community itself.

Conclusion

Yes — South Windsor does need more over-55 housing. And 100 Oakland is designed to responsibly fill that need: built with quality, respect for the land, respect for community character, and aligned with what many in town say they want — not just housing, but choice, dignity, and staying in the place they call home.