United Church Homes is the eighth largest provider of managed senior living and affordable housing in the U.S. and the 57th largest multisite, nonprofit senior living organization, according to the LeadingAge Ziegler 200 ranking, released in November.
The full report listed additional rankings, including the largest nonprofit multisite independent and assisted living organizations and states with the most independent, assisted living and continuing care retirement/life plan communities.
Pennsylvania and Ohio have the greatest saturation of senior living providers and headquarters, which UCH Chief Operating Officer and Senior Vice President of Senior Living Services Chuck Mooney attributes to the large number of faith denominations serving older adults in those states since the 1800s. Faith communities, such as the German Reformed Church, founded the precursor to United Church Homes.
Management Services
In its highest ranking to date, United Church Homes moved to the eighth position on the list of managed providers, with 1,476 units in 12 communities. UCH’s managed senior living communities include Friendship Village Columbus, SEM Haven and Uplands Village. Managed affordable housing communities include Burlington Tower, Citrus Gardens, Disciples Terrace, J.H. Floyd Sunshine Village, Ken-Mar Apartments, Meadow Park, Muir Manor, Spoon River Towers and Tahoma Vista Village.
UCH offers management services through its United Church Homes Management affiliate.
Insights Into Senior Living
The report provides valuable insights into the dynamic senior living industry. Those serving older adults can use it to observe macro trends, including growth and development of similar organizations across the nation. UCH uses the report to identify potential affiliation or collaboration partners.
Most of the growth in the senior living industry in the past year has been through the expansion of existing communities rather than the construction of new ones. Senior living organizations are also concentrating less on long-term care and offering more independent and assisted living and home- and community-based services.
Midmarket Needs
Like United Church Homes, many organizations are responding to the increasing need for housing in the middle market, serving older adults who don’t qualify for public housing assistance but who also cannot afford senior living community entrance fees, Mooney said.
“We will soon have 8 million older adults in the middle market,” he said. “Right now, there are not enough affordable housing options, which is an issue and opportunity.”
He added United Church Homes is responding to the need with plans to add more midmarket range independent living options.
Affiliations, Joint Ventures
The report also lists new affiliations and joint ventures, such as Ohio’s Hospice at United Church Homes, a joint-venture hospice and palliative care program launched by the two organizations. That affiliation will be reflected in the 2020 report since it occurred in 2019.
“Boards are thinking about affiliations today more from a position of strength. Several top-tier organizations are affiliating or merging to create even stronger organizations,” Mooney said.
Mergers can increase market share and human capital, central support and group purchasing opportunities to achieve economies of scale.
Executive Leadership
Another industry trend highlighted in the report is the history of longevity of executive leadership in senior living and the accelerating number of senior leaders retiring. As for United Church Homes, Mooney is the only senior executive retiring this year. UCH uses internal programs, such as LEADS (Leadership, Education, Achievement, Development and Success), as well as industry leadership development resources to prepare the next generation of leaders.
###
About United Church Homes: United Church Homes, headquartered in Marion, Ohio, has been “Celebrating the Spirit” of older adults for over a century. The faith-inspired organization has more than 1,800 dedicated staff serving over 4,000 residents of all faiths in 75 senior living communities throughout 14 states and two Native American nations. UCH is in covenant with the United Church of Christ and welcomes residents of all faiths.