If someone were to ask which city in my province has the most severe aging population, many might first think of Nanping, followed by Sanming. However, regardless of how much they struggle, in a few years, small cities and counties will inevitably slide into an aging society.Aside from first-tier cities, even second-tier cities need long-term efforts to avoid aging; development is the hard truth. Economic growth, rising wages, and more job opportunities are essential to attract young people. When they can see hope for a happy life and have beautiful prospects for the future, young people are willing to settle down, marry, and have children.That said, regardless of whether they fall into aging or not, the increasing proportion of elderly people is a reality that all regions must face. Therefore, in recent years, Fujian has begun to experiment with integrating nursing homes into communities. An analysis of this new model, called “embedded elderly care,” was published in our article on November 5 last year, and its comprehensive promotion is inevitable.
The reason I assert that this is “inevitable” is not only due to the trend of population aging but also because I have been paying attention to land auctions. Over the years, I have noticed that many plots have stipulations that developers must include community elderly care facilities when they are sold.The first incident that sparked heated discussions about nursing homes entering communities occurred in the Yanping District of Nanping City. Since it happened in a small place, people do not have a deep impression of it. Shortly after, at the end of last year, it was the turn of the provincial capital’s urban area, where the sales office of Sansheng International Park was converted into a nursing home. However, the sales office was separated from the residential area by a road, so the homeowners’ objections were not valid.One year later, Fuzhou finally had an embedded elderly care case similar to that of Nanping, and the first to try it was a luxury property, which caused a significant stir. Recently, major media outlets have reported on this incident, which took place in a new development called Yulan Mansion, marketed as Dadonghai Tianyue. If we mention Yulan Mansion, people might think it is just an ordinary community, and some may even ask if it is a resettlement housing project. However, when we mention the name Dadonghai Tianyue, people will exclaim, isn’t that the luxury property in the Jingshan Green Axis area? Most of the units here are large, around 200 square meters.
Indeed, it is the high-priced Dadonghai Tianyue, which once sold for 40,000 yuan per square meter. Why is there a nursing home in this community? As mentioned earlier, many plots have stipulated that developers must comply with contracts, and most of these are for free construction.Thus, these elderly care facilities are essentially public amenities that have been “embedded” in the community from the start. Regardless of whether the developer mentioned it or not, or whether it was written in advertisements, this information is publicly available for review. Homeowners only need to look at the land auction announcements to know. Therefore, the homeowners’ current outrage and accusations against the developer for hiding information—did the developer actually do anything wrong?According to relevant laws and regulations, developers must disclose unfavorable factors of the project before selling, but does a nursing home count? It is an essential public facility for residents’ lives and social operations. Just because you do not need it or think it is undesirable does not mean others feel the same. Clearly, a nursing home is not a cemetery, columbarium, funeral home, or chemical plant; it is not an unfavorable factor. Moreover, the contract clearly states “age-inclusive elderly care facilities,” fulfilling the obligation to inform.In response to some homeowners’ unreasonable complaints, the street community and civil affairs departments have made efforts to appease them, trying to reason with them: Every family has elderly members,everyone will grow old. One must have at least a basic sense of empathy and learn to think from others’ perspectives. The people who are currently pointing fingers at the nursing home—are they not going to grow old themselves?Furthermore, the nursing home has an independent entrance facing the street. Although it is located below the residential building, it does not affect the internal management of the community; everyone can go their own way. They are not unaware of these facts. So, what is the real reason behind their opposition to the nursing home?
After reviewing various media reports, it is not difficult to see that the concerns about funeral customs, fears of elderly deaths, and worries about chaotic renovations are merely excuses. As these flimsy reasons are refuted one by one, some homeowners openly admit that they are primarily worried about the impact on property values.Indeed, most of the conflicts arising from new commercial properties in recent years ultimately stem from high property prices. We have seen many such absurdities; complaints arise over nearby temples, ancestral halls, and any minor inconveniences, all rooted in a deep fear of falling property values.There is no reasoning with those who prioritize property prices above all else. Many people, in order to maintain their so-called property values, are even afraid of their parents passing away at home. However, no matter how much they protest, property prices will still fall; one cannot fight against trends, and the opening of a nursing home downstairs has nothing to do with it.
Interestingly, to date, the primary opposition to embedded elderly care has come from newly built commercial properties. I have not seen such situations in resettlement housing communities. It is important to note that Jingshan is trending towards aging, and even public kindergartens in the core area are struggling to operate. Therefore, piloting embedded elderly care in Jingshan is quite appropriate.Looking at the second-hand housing market, we find that Dadonghai Tianyue is only priced at over 20,000 yuan per square meter. At this point, I want to say that these homeowners have completely targeted the wrong complaint. Those who bought at 40,000 yuan per square meter should first have a chat with the landlords and agents of the “20,000+” properties. The later buyers and those currently selling have directly pulled down the property prices, which would more severely impact the earlier homeowners’ property values. I suggest that the earlier homeowners first discuss this with these second-hand property owners and strongly demand that they double their asking prices. If they bought at 40,000 yuan per square meter, they should not sell for less than 50,000 yuan.Reference: For more private sector insights and paid consultations, please join the Knowledge Planet.As people age, so do their homes. Public kindergartens are closing, and the price per square meter of commercial housing at the Jingshan Bridge in Fuzhou has fallen below 10,000 yuan. The integration of nursing homes into communities has led to dissatisfaction among young homeowners, and the promotion of embedded elderly care across Fujian is inevitable. To maintain property values, why fear death? The disputes over embedded elderly care have reached Fuzhou City. Real estate companies are facing a complete collapse, yet the number of top 500 companies is increasing. Which companies in Fujian are filling the gap left by real estate developers?