Occupancy rates for seniors housing continued to show signs of a slow recovery, while construction activity dipped in the fourth quarter of 2011, according to NIC MAP, a data analysis service of the National Investment Center for the Seniors Housing & Care Industry (NIC).

The average occupancy rate for seniors housing properties in the fourth quarter of 2011 was 88.2 percent, a 0.1 percentage point increase from the prior quarter and a 0.7 percentage point increase from a year ago.

According to NIC MAP, the seniors housing average occupancy rate has risen for seven consecutive quarters and is 1.1 percentage points above its cyclical low of 87.1 percent in the first quarter of 2010.

Independent living was the only sector to show improvement from the prior quarter, with an average occupancy rate of 88 percent in fourth quarter 2011, an increase of 0.2 percentage points from in third quarter 2011.

Assisted living occupancy rates averaged 88.6 percent, and the average occupancy rates for independent living and assisted living are both 1.2 percentage points above their respective cyclical lows.

“With occupancy continuing to rise, it is clear the recovery is underway; however, independent living has been driving much of the occupancy gains in recent quarters,” said Michael Hargrave, vice president, NIC MAP.

Regionally, the Northeast saw the biggest jump in occupancy rates overall, from 90.9 percent in third quarter 2011 to 91.2 percent in the fourth quarter. The Northeast includes Boston, New York City, Philadelphia, and Pittsburgh.

Rent growth for seniors housing rose to 1.7 percent from 0.8 percent in fourth quarter of 2010. The Southeast region of the country saw a 0.5 percent rise in annual rent growth, from 1.6 percent in third quarter 2011 to 2.1 percent in the fourth quarter. The Southeast includes Atlanta; Miami; Orlando, Fla.; and Tampa, Fla.

“While rent growth continues to slowly improve, it is important to note that current rent growth remains below the current level of inflation,” said Chuck Harry, NIC’s director of research and analysis.

Annual inventory growth for seniors housing was 1.2 percent—up from 1.0 percent in third quarter 2011, but down from 1.5 percent in fourth quarter 2010. Construction as a share of existing inventory for seniors housing was 1.5 percent, which is down from 1.6 percent in the previous quarter.

The occupancy rate for nursing care was 88.2 percent in fourth quarter 2011, a decline of 0.1 percentage points from third quarter 2011, while annual inventory growth for nursing care was -0.4 percent in fourth quarter 2011, continuing the established trend of slightly declining inventory growth, NIC MAP reports.