Seniors in one Bay Area community want to stay in their communities, but many find the cost of living and maintaining older homes prohibitive.
A survey of senior residents in Palo Alto, California found that “most respondents overwhelmingly desire to "age in place," or live in their own homes as they advance in age,” but the cost and variety of housing options is making it difficult for many Americans.
As Elizabeth Lorenz explains in Palo Alto Online, out of 52 areas compared to national benchmarks in the survey, the three that were sub-par in Palo Alto were all related to housing and cost of living, with only 10 percent of respondents saying affordable, quality housing is accessible in their community. “Close to 30% have ‘housing stress,’ meaning they spend 30% or more of their income on housing.”
Avenidas, a senior citizen center in Palo Alto, offers a program called Avenida Village that creates opportunities for social connection and provides resources to senior residents. They also created a home maintenance program aimed at helping seniors fix up aging homes and add accessibility retrofits.
FULL STORY: The age of uncertainty: How seniors are 'aging in place'
Opinion: Housing Reforms Critical for Older Americans
Older adults are some of the most vulnerable to threats of eviction and displacement driven by escalating housing costs.
Building Age-Friendly Homes
Designing for the unique needs of elderly people can help them maintain social connections and mental acuity.
Study: Walkability Can Help Reduce Dementia Risk
Walkable neighborhoods offer natural opportunities to stay active and engaged with friends and neighbors, increasing residents’ chances of remaining mentally and physically healthy longer.
Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.
Canada vs. Kamala: Whose Liberal Housing Platform Comes Out on Top?
As Canada votes for a new Prime Minister, what can America learn from the leading liberal candidate of its neighbor to the north?
The Five Most-Changed American Cities
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Housing, Supportive Service Providers Brace for Federal Cuts
Organizations that provide housing assistance are tightening their purse strings and making plans for maintaining operations if federal funding dries up.
Op-Ed: Why an Effective Passenger Rail Network Needs Government Involvement
An outdated rail network that privileges freight won’t be fixed by privatizing Amtrak.
‘Quality Work, Fast’: NC Gears up for Homebuilding After Helene, Trying to Avoid Past Pitfalls
The state will field bids to demolish, repair and rebuild homes in the mountains. After struggles in eastern NC, officials aim to chart a different course.
Urban Design for Planners 1: Software Tools
This six-course series explores essential urban design concepts using open source software and equips planners with the tools they need to participate fully in the urban design process.
Planning for Universal Design
Learn the tools for implementing Universal Design in planning regulations.
Central Transportation Planning Staff/Boston Region MPO
Heyer Gruel & Associates PA
Institute for Housing and Urban Development Studies (IHS)
City of Grandview
Harvard GSD Executive Education
Regional Transportation Commission of Southern Nevada
Toledo-Lucas County Plan Commissions