Residential facilities, apartments and/or planned communities for older adults, people with disabilities or other populations that are available at market rates and designed to enable those who are eligible to have a form of independent living in a secure environment while sharing common interests and having access to supportive services and a range of activities designed to promote social contact among residents. Occupancy by families with children may be discouraged. Housing varies widely from simple apartments to high rise condominiums to single family detached housing to housing in a congregate setting; and units may be available on a purchase or rental basis. Support usually consists of "convenience services" which may include an on-site activities program, transportation, housekeeping and meals in a communal dining room. Residents who require additional support need to make their own arrangements for personal care, home health care or other in-home services. These facilities generally require no licensing.

Apartment or condominium complexes or other housing facilities that are owned and administered collectively by the people who live there. A nonprofit corporation is set up to own and manage a building and the land on which it is located. Cooperative members do not own a particular part of the building and/or land, but own a share of stock in the project and the right to occupy a unit there. New residents are screened and selected by current residents and all pay equal shares of the cost of housing. Some housing cooperatives set aside a certain number of units for low-income people. Lower turnover rates, lower real estate tax assessments (in some local areas), controlled maintenance costs, and resident participation and control are some of the benefits of choosing cooperative homeownership. There are also personal income tax advantages.

Individuals who are age 50, 55, 60, 62 or 65 or older depending on the minimum age for qualifying as an older adult which varies by program.