🔒Column: The need for grandfamily housing

Grandfamilies are families in which grandparents serve as the primary caregivers of their grandchildren. This population has grown dramatically in Central Massachusetts over the past decade due to issues such as the opioid epidemic.

Grandfamilies often form from traumatic events. For example, the intergenerational research think tank Generations United estimates of the 2.4 million children living in grandfamilies, 28% have experienced neglect, 11% physical abuse, and 26% are in a grandfamily due to a parent’s substance-abuse disorder. The grandparents face challenges as well. Of those raising grandchildren:

• 39.0% are not in the workforce

• 16.4% live in poverty

• 24.6% have a disability

• 32.9% are unmarried

According to Generations United, a significant challenge facing grandfamilies is housing, because:

• Grandfamilies often form unexpectedly, with little or no time to plan for appropriate housing.

• A small apartment may be adequate for one or two people but is unsuitable for more, especially children.

• Even if grandparents qualify for subsidized housing, they might not obtain an appropriately sized apartment as they are not the legal guardian.

• The presence of children may violate private lease agreements and occupancy standards and put the grandparents at risk of eviction.

• The expenses of raising children can mean the grandparents can no longer afford their existing housing.

The need for grandfamily housing is significant as traditional elder or subsidized housing does not meet families' needs. As senior citizens have a higher rate of living in publicly assisted housing than non-seniors, it may be inferred a similar proportion of grandchildren living with their grandparents is to be living in subsidized housing as well.

Senior units are generally small, designed for one or two residents, with limited living room areas and only one bedroom. Nearly all units have income restrictions as well as space limitations, and, a significant number of these grandchildren may not be officially registered with the owners of such projects.

Grandparents may face the choice of taking in their grandchildren and becoming homeless or putting them in foster care, where they have little to no control over the children’s day-to-day life. Even if the grandparents are able to take in their grandchildren without fear of eviction, unless senior units are located in mixed, multigenerational projects, they do not generally have play areas providing safe recreation space.

Living in a community where members face similar challenges is beneficial to grandfamilies, as it helps reduce stigma and provides the grandparents with peers to relate to. In addition to the need for this social support, there is substantial evidence inter-generational living situations in general are beneficial as it reduces social isolation, allows chores to be shared, and youth can their grandparents become more technologically fluent.

Most at-risk grandfamilies end up in their situation due to factors far beyond their control. Providing grandfamilies with affordable, accessible housing is a crucial step in order to ensure these families have the resources they need to thrive.

Ethan Belding is vice president and chief strategy officer for Worcester human services nonprofit Senior Connection.