Who Leaves — Who Stays; Residency Policy in Housing for the Elderly1

As tenants in all-elderly housing projects grow older, management faces the difficult decision of determining when a resident can no longer handle independent living. The results of a 232-person survey include descriptions of tenant admission and retention policies, the range of tenant problems acceptable and unacceptable upon application and when they subsequently develop, and the role of such factors as design, on-site services, sponsorship type, and staff training in determining policy strictness. Findings show a need for better coordinated admission and retention policies and for management to work with gerontologists and service providers in establishing and implementing policies.