Lisa McCracken, Head of Research & Analytics at the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC), oversees NIC’s research and analytics team, which develops actionable, data-driven insights on industry challenges and opportunities and showcases practical examples of how organizations nationwide are embracing opportunities to meet the demands of a changing marketplace. Additionally, Lisa oversees a robust research agenda with nationally recognized partners to help the next generation of senior housing and care leaders address evolving and dramatically different consumer preferences and needs. Prior to joining NIC, Lisa served as director of senior living research and development with Ziegler, a leading investment bank for senior housing and care, where she oversaw research staff supporting the senior living, senior housing, and related corporate finance healthcare practices. Lisa began her career as a research analyst at Holleran, a healthcare and aging services research and consulting firm, where she was successively promoted to become vice president of research, managing partner and ultimately president between 2009 and 2013. She is a nationally recognized thought leader and public speaker and has been the lead researcher on a number of national research studies such as the LeadingAge Ziegler 200 and other industry-wide publications.
Economic Trends | Senior Housing
By: Lisa McCracken | March 28, 2024
As anticipated, at last week’s meeting of the Federal Reserve Board, rates were held steady at 5.25 to 5.50%. Several months ago, there was hope of a potential move towards rate reductions at this March meeting, but as inflation and unemployment numbers have been higher than projected, the likelihood for rate cuts moved further into 2024. In his remarks, Chairman Jerome Powell acknowledged that labor conditions remain tight, but that labor-related supply and demand issues are coming more into balance, overall unemployment figures are low, and we are seeing more nominal wage growth compared to recent years. He noted that, while these indicators are positive, the demand for workers is greater than the available supply. Chairman Powell also noted that, while inflation has come down, current levels remain above the 2% goal. Projections are for continued drops in the inflation rate throughout 2024 and into 2025 and 2026.
By: Lisa McCracken | March 14, 2024
With more than 1,800 attendees at last week’s NIC Spring Conference, it was the ideal time to ‘take the temperature’ of the stakeholders serving and investing in the senior housing and care landscape. Attendees were asked, “What is your 2024 outlook for senior housing and care?” to which they selected a response ranging from “Extremely Positive” to “Extremely Negative.” As detailed below, nearly 8 out of 10 attendees responded, “Somewhat Positive” or “Extremely Positive.”
Market Trends | Senior Housing
By: Lisa McCracken | January 18, 2024
The year ahead will likely be a dynamic one for senior housing and care with unfolding trends that will shape our sector in meaningful ways for the next decade as boomers age into the demographic most likely to access housing and services. The five trends below highlight some of these sector growth predictions to watch in 2024.
Ideas and Discussion | Research | Senior Housing
By: Lisa McCracken | January 10, 2024
Since the 2019 “Forgotten Middle” study, NIC has recognized the need to move towards actionable solutions for housing and care for the middle-market older adult. In early 2023, NIC joined with CVS Health to sponsor an in-depth study by Milken Institute’s Financial Innovations Lab® and Center for the Future of Aging to identify viable, actionable solutions for financing and scaling middle market senior housing & care. The culmination of this work is captured in a newly released report called, “Innovative Financing and Care Models to Scale Affordable Housing Solutions for Middle-Income Older Adults.” Four potential strategies for both senior housing and housing with care are outlined in this report.
