07/18/2025
Age-Restricted Living: What are Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA) Communities?
As Florida’s senior population continues to grow, so does interest in age-restricted communities. In Flagler County,32% of residents are 65 or older, compared to 22% in Florida. On this week’s Real Estate Matters, hosts Toby Tobin and Annamaria Long explored the rules governing Housing for Older Persons Act (HOPA) communities, a designation under federal law that Florida enforces through additional local compliance measures. These communities are exempt from certain Fair Housing protections that typically prohibit age-based restrictions and are designed to accommodate aging residents through specific occupancy rules.
Florida HOPA communities can be categorized into two main groups. The 55-plus communities require at least 80% of the units to be occupied by at least one person aged 55 years or older and prohibit residents under the age of 18 from occupying these units. In contrast, 62-plus communities require that all units have at least one occupant who is at least 62 years old.
Before making decisions, potential buyers should consider the impact of their family lifestyle, caregiving arrangements, and social dynamics. It is essential to be aware of the restrictions related to visitors, including age limits, visiting hours, occupancy limits, and all applicable community regulations. These factors should be taken into account before making a purchase.
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