Focus on Livable Communities--What does it mean to AARP?
By: Source: AARP.org Date Posted: 2007-05-24 10:50:12.881127-04:00
Most people want to continue living in their homes and communities as they grow older. For that to happen, however, their communities must be livable. And that's why livable communities is one of three areas of concentration in the Association's 10-year social impact agenda. The other two are health and economic security.
A livable community is one that has affordable and appropriate housing, supportive community features and services and adequate mobility options. Together, these features allow an older person a level of independence and an opportunity to engage in community life.
AARP's Social Impact Agenda focuses on two key areas that create livable communities: mobility and housing. Mobility deals with safe driving, as well as other safe, accessible and affordable forms of transportation. Housing encompasses all issues around creating affordable and accessible housing options for people fifty and older.
Through the efforts of the social impact working groups, staff across the Association are coming together to lay the groundwork for the Association's efforts for the next decade and indeed the future.
So far this year, AARP has worked to identify the issues and key players in the mobility and housing arenas, established relationships with top organizations working in these areas and begun work on positioning the Association as a lead organization working on the issues around livable communities.
Through the AARP Global Aging Program, AARP facilitates understanding and dialogue around the global aging agenda by convening and participating in international social and economic policy debates worldwide. AARP has identified promoting livable communities as high organizational priority.
On June 15 AARP hosted Universal Village: Livable Communities in the 21st Century in an effort to encourage dialogue on this issue and share best policy practices and innovations taking place in nations across the globe.
This year's Beyond 50 report released in May, "Beyond 50.05: A Report to the Nation on Livable Communities: Creating Environments for Successful Aging" is a comprehensive examination of the issues around creating communities free of barriers that impede participation by older residents.
Other major efforts around livable communities can be found in several AARP projects:
- Housing demonstration projects are under way in five cities: Las Vegas, NV; El Paso, TX; Hartford, CT; St. Louis, MO; and Charlotte County, FL.
- Expansion of the Driver Safety Program
- Strategic alliance with The Home Depot
Related Articles
- Beyond 50.05 A Report to the Nation on Livable Communities: Creating Environments for Successful Aging
- Consumer Checklists for Long-Term Independence
Other Resources
- Beyond 50: Livable Communities Quiz
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