Possible need to relocate Reasons for relocating vary, as suggested above, and many participants offered multiple reasons why they might have to move from their current housing type. The most commonly cited reasons for the possible need to relocate are economic reasons (including risk of foreclosure) (54%), health reasons (44%), and changing needs related to aging, such as safety/grab bars, or elevators (40%).
Reasons for moving from current housing for LGBT older adult participants Economic reason(s), including risk of foreclosure
54%
Health reason(s)
44%
Different needs such as safety/grab bars or elevators
40%
Lack of stability in my housing situation
21%
Need to move out of San Francisco
12%
Rising crime rate in my neighborhood Friends moving elsewhere Unsafe environment as a result of being perceived as LGBT
11% 7% 6%
Want to move in with my family or friends 2%
When comparing the top six reasons that LGBT participants might move by sexual orientation and gender identity, the only difference that we found is that bisexual women and men (48%) are more likely than lesbians and gay men (19%) to cite instability in their current housing situation. Analysis of housing by key background characteristics In the following section we report on analyses of housing findings by background characteristics (gender, age, race/ethnicity, income, education, relationship status, living arrangement, and HIV/AIDS). Only statistically significant findings are summarized below. Gender In this study, women have larger average households than men. Women are more likely than men to own their home, to be paying a mortgage, and to have some other type of financial arrangement that covers their housing, such as living rent free with a friend or relative, in a nursing home, or other health care facility. Men are more likely to rent, and to cite rising crime rates as the reason they might need to move out of their current housing than women are. Age LGBT adult participants aged 60 to 69 have larger households than their older counterparts. There does not appear to be any age differences in housing arrangements (e.g., rent or own). LGBT participants aged 80 and older are more likely to live in senior housing, assisted living facilities, nursing homes, or an age-restricted community than younger peers. Those 80 and older are also more likely to feel confident that they will be able to stay in their current 23