CHARLOTTE, NC-An expanding U.S. economy will restore several facets of seniors housing demand, while another year of subdued construction tempers supply concerns. That combination sets the stage for a modest recovery during 2011. So says Marcus & Millichap’s SeniorsHousing Research Report for the first half of 2011.

“The seniors housing sector has improved significantly since last year, as demand begins to pick up from aging baby boomers,” Mike Pardoll, a senior vice president of Investments at Marcus & Millichap in Charlotte, tells GlobeSt.com. “The resumption of job creation has begun to restore healthcare benefits for Americans, for instance, enabling the re-employed to move ahead with procedures requiring rehabilitative services in skilled nursing facilities.”

Here are some metrics: During 2011, occupancy in the Independent Living sector will improve 80 basis points to 88.1%, supporting a 1.1% increase in rents to $2,678 per month. Assisted Living operations will hold relatively steady, M&M predicts, but a modest rise in completions will lower the occupancy rate 40 basis points to 88% this year. As operators compete for residents, rent growth will ease to just 0.8% to $3,543 per month.