Quote:
Originally Posted by retiredguy123
Are you referring to a specific rule? I cannot find any such rule. Here is a recent article I found:
"The population of the Villages grows by approximately 4,500 annually. To maintain its 55+ status under federal law, at least 80 percent of homes must be occupied by at least one person who is 55 years of age or older. The average age in The Villages for a male is 62 and female is 60."
Also, I have read other news articles where The Villages is trying to attract younger residents, and they may allow more under-55 residents in certain areas of The Villages.
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The 55+ rule is the law specific to an official legal designation of a 55+ community. It's not merely a policy of The Villages.
If the developer or sales rep of a community wants to lawfully advertise the community as a 55+ community they are required to adhere to minimum standards:
"At least 80% of the occupied units are occupied by at least one person 55 years of age or older.
The facility or community publishes and adheres to policies and procedures that demonstrate its intent to in fact be a provider of housing for older persons.
The facility or community complies with rules established by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) for verification of occupancy."
This is to protect the elderly from being pushed out of homes, which was an actual thing back in the 1980's and 1990's. The law, the Housing for Older People Act of 1995, addressed this problem.
The Villages was a designated 55+ community but I believe due to lack of enforcement, they lost that designation a couple of years ago. They can still call it a Retirement Community, because that phrase has no minimum legal standards.