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Dr. Rodney HarrellSenior Strategic Policy Advisor

AARP Public Policy Instituterharrell@aarp.org

Equity for Community Change –

Including Older Adults

U.S. population is growing … and growing older

Year 65+ PopulationTotal

Population

65+ Share of Total

Population

2000 34,991,753 281,421,906 12%

2010 40,229,000 310,233,000 13%

2030 72,092,000 373,504,000 19%

2050 88,547,000 439,010,000 20%

Source: U.S Census Bureau - Census projections as of 8/2008

85 88

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50-64 65+

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2010 AARP Survey (US): “What I’d really like to do is remain in my current residence for as long as

possible.”

Source: AARP, “Home and Community Preferences of the 50+ population”

Age category: 45+

Base=985

Fewer 50+ Householders Own Without Mortgages

Source: Harrell, Housing for Older Adults: The Impacts of the Recession, AARP Public Policy Institute, 2011

Lower-Income Households Age 50+ Experience Significant Housing Cost Burdens

Source: Harrell, Housing for Older Adults: The Impacts of the Recession, AARP Public Policy Institute, 2011

Complete Streets

AARP Bulletin

PPI Report: “Planning Complete Streets for an Aging America”

Authors: Jana Lynott, Amanda Taylor, Hannah Twaddell, Jessica Haase, Kristin Nelson, Jared Ulmer, Barbara McCann, Edward R. Stollof PPI Report #2009-12

safe, comfortable & convenient for travel by automobile, foot, bicycle, & transit regardless of age or ability

Strategies to Implement Universal Design

“Lifespan”

“Livable”

“Inclusive”

“Visitable”

• One zero step entrance, located at the front, back, or side of the house, on an accessible path of travel

• 32 inch (82cm) clear opening at doorways and accessible circulation throughout the floor plan

• Basic access to at least one bath or half bath on the ground floor

Step-less entrance

Bathroom access

Accessible circulation

Visitable3 Main Features:

• One zero step entrance, located at the front, back, or side of the house, on an accessible path of travel

• Clear opening at doorways (82cm) and accessible circulation throughout the floor plan

• Basic access to at least one full bath on the ground floor• Habitable interior space - room that can be used as a bedroom• Accessible Kitchen• Lighting and Controls

Step-free entrance

Full bathroom w/ access

Accessible circulation

Inclusive Several Features:

(From AARP’s DRAFT Model State Law)

Potential bedroom

Accessible Kitchen

Universal Design Laws and Programs

Mandates

All homes

Homes built with government

funding assistance

Voluntary Incentives

Partial Reimbursement

Tax Incentives

Expedited permitting

Designation

Information

Checklist of options

Educational Campaigns

Design for Communities

© Google 2010

© Google 2010

© Google 2010

© Google 2010

© Google 2010

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© Google 2010Nicollet Towers

Nicollet Mall

Light Rail Station

Nicollet Mall, Minneapolis

© Google 2010

© Google 2010 © Google 2010

Who Benefits the Most from Housing Near Transit?

Minimal Benefit Full Benefit

Low Amount of LimitationsHigh Amount of Limitations

Individual: Open to the idea of transit, without unaddressed cognitive or physical impairments, and able to read and

understand signage

Community (External): Living in well-planned, safe, healthy

communities and in walkable neighborhoods with resources nearby.

Frequent, accessible, reliable transit service that connects to most other places that one

would want to travel to.

Individual: Significant physical limitations that prevent

boarding or waiting for transit.

Those who do not understand the transit system.

Community (External): Living in poorly planned or economically

struggling communities with little shopping or services nearby.

Poor transit service, including bus drivers who won’t stop, poor route planning, unreliable service, inaccessible stops/stations, high

crime levels.

To order: http://www.agingsociety.org/agingsociety/publications/public_policy/index.html

The Way Forward: Healthy Community Planning and Design

Places nearby to walk to or visit

Housing near transit

Promotion of walking and bicycling

Reducing need to drive

Elimination of environmental hazards

Federal Agencies

Regional Organizations

State GovernmentsLocal Governments

Citizen and Advocacy Groups

The Way Forward: Healthy Community Planning and Design

AARP Public Policy Institute

Informs and stimulates public debate on the issues we face as we age.

Provides objective research and analysis

Promotes the development of sound, creative policies to address our common need for economic security, health care, and quality of life.

www.aarp.org/ppi/liv-com