For decades, Pooler has attracted thousands of residents as development boomed in the city. But as people continue to flock to the burgeoning suburb, one demographic remains short on places to live.

Senior citizens.

Demand for housing has resulted in years-long waits for Pooler's existing senior homes. A proposed new senior living development could offer relief. 

Pooler City Council recently approved an independent senior living apartment complex for a site located at the northwest corner of Pine Barren Road and Pooler Parkway. The 156-unit development is part of the Washington D.C.-based senior living developer Arden’s expansion to the southeast.

Construction is expected to commence March 2023 and conclude November 2024. 

The community will be age-restricted to those 62 years and older and the units will be priced at market rates. Site plans call for 136 units spread over four-story buildings and 20 one-story cottages.

Amenities include a swimming pool, outdoor eating areas, dog park, pickleball courts, common spaces, exercise rooms, dining rooms, and shuttles for transportation. Up to 200 parking spots are planned for the site. Hallways and corridors will be wheelchair width. 

Unlike an assisted living facility, the complex will not feature on-site medical facilities. 

“People would probably age out of this type of development and go into assisted living," said John Northup, an attorney with Bouhan Falligant, who spoke for Arden Senior Living at the April 9 council meeting. 

An exploding senior population

Northup pointed to the growing senior population (aged 65 years or over), which is projected to increase by 92% by 2029. Within that demographic are middle-income seniors, a group the Pooler development is targeting, said Northup. 

Middle-income seniors are defined as individuals 75 and above who earn between roughly $25,000 to $95,000 a year, according to the National Investment Center for Seniors Housing & Care (NIC). Those who fall under that income bracket have “too much in financial resources to qualify for government support programs such as Medicaid, but not enough to pay most private pay options for very long.”

To read this article online please visit Savannah Morning News. 

Please visit Arden at Pooler to learn more about this project.