Jennifer Molinsky

Jennifer Molinsky is a Lecturer in Urban Planning and Design at Harvard University's Graduate School of Design (GSD), and Senior Research Associate at the Joint Center for Housing Studies. She specializes in housing for aging populations, affordability, and urban policy, managing research on older adults' housing needs. Her work bridges academic research with practical policy solutions, emphasizing inclusivity and community resilience.

Educated at MIT (Ph.D. Urban Planning), Princeton University (M.P.A.), and Yale University (B.A.), Molinsky has held roles including Chief Planner in Newton, MA, researcher at the Lincoln Institute, and Associate Director at the Municipal Art Society of New York. Her research focuses on aging in place, housing insecurity, and the intersection of climate change with urban living conditions.

Key publications include The State of the Nation’s Housing for Older Adults series and co-edited volumes like A Shared Future: Fostering Communities of Inclusion. She frequently discusses housing affordability, intergenerational equity, and the role of housing in public health. Current projects analyze disparities in residential mobility among seniors and the impact of pandemic-era housing policies.

Molinsky’s courses at GSD, such as Housing and Urbanization in the United States, address historical trends, contemporary challenges, and innovative solutions in urban housing systems. Her work underscores the need for adaptive, equitable housing policies to support aging populations amid demographic shifts and climate pressures.