A Midwest-based small-home senior dwelling operator is increasing its mannequin with affordability and personalization in thoughts.
Earlier this month, operator Concord Houses acquired approval for six, custom-built single-family properties that may every accommodate 16 residents on a 10-acre property in Maryland Heights, a suburb of St. Louis. Like different small-home senior dwelling operators, Concord’s communities are homelike and carry larger staffing ratios in comparison with bigger properties with dozens or tons of of residents dwelling onsite.
Building on the challenge in Maryland Heights will begin “within the coming months” with a projected opening for 2 of the six properties in mid-2026 and 4 others opening in 2027, in response to CEO Bob DeClue.
“We turned actually acquainted with the residential assisted dwelling mannequin and we determined to embrace that sooner or later, not solely within the St. Louis space however in different markets,” DeClue advised SHN. “It’s a giant carry to have the ability to proceed to develop and set up however we’re embracing it.”
DeClue based Concord Houses in 2020 after launching the corporate’s first three properties in Washington, Missouri, by a sister firm, Aspen Valley Senior Houses. The Aspen Valley section can be rising with new growth in New Haven, Missouri, whereas additionally providing session providers to different residential assisted dwelling operators to “deliver them throughout the end line” previous to opening.
The hassle to construct residential assisted dwelling communities – additionally generally referred to as small-home communities – stems from DeClue’s mission to higher serve older adults with middle-market assisted dwelling charges. DeClue views the mannequin as a extra private various to conventional, large-scale senior dwelling communities, with room sufficient for each to flourish within the present demand surroundings.
To place Concord Houses to greatest seize demand, DeClue mentioned beginning on growth efforts now would put the corporate in the perfect place to draw child boomers who could wish to transfer right into a neighborhood with a extra personal and homelike setting.
“Given the expansion and demand that we all know is displaying up, together with the infant boomer transition 1756347056 it’s about how can we deal with the necessity,” DeClue mentioned.
Central to the corporate’s success is its excessive staff-to-resident ratios that may be established on this smaller setting. Within the final 12 months, the corporate has made strides to cut back turnover and enhance retention at present places, DeClue mentioned.
To scale, DeClue mentioned Concord Houses is cross-training staff and offering added coaching to organize for “these tough transitions” as older adults depart their long-time properties and transfer right into a neighborhood. The corporate has a service line devoted to serving to older adults downsize in a fashion that goals to “reduce that traumatic” expertise of leaving a long-time dwelling for senior dwelling.
On the gross sales and advertising aspect, Concord Houses has partnered with third-party referral providers to determine potential leads.
“Why we just like the mannequin begins with the care ratios,” DeClue mentioned. “I believe RAL is a pattern that we are going to proceed to see, and we’re not right here to interchange anybody. We’re right here to be another.”
Concord Houses is taking a look at further land parcels within the St. Louis market and in Kansas Metropolis for its subsequent progress push, with locales equivalent to Springfield and Columbia in Missouri standing out for potential future enlargement. Alternatives may additionally lengthen to the Southeast in Kentucky and Tennessee, DeClue mentioned.
On simply when new initiatives and growth may decide again up, DeClue mentioned he seems like there’s a “excellent storm” coming the place demand stays excessive for senior dwelling and can in the end pressure builders to dive again in.
“We actually have plans to diversify our mannequin,” DeClue mentioned. “We will’t remedy your entire downside, however we positive wish to make our mark.”
