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.
Survey: Americans Finding it Harder to ‘Age in Place’
While many people over 65 would prefer to stay in their homes and communities, high housing costs and a lack of accessible infrastructure make it difficult.
Homelessness Among Maryland Seniors Rose 77 Percent Since 2018
The high cost of housing is pushing many older adults into homelessness, while shelters are not equipped to address their specific needs.
National Parks Layoffs Will Cause Communities to Lose Billions
Thousands of essential park workers were laid off this week, just before the busy spring break season.
Retro-silient?: America’s First “Eco-burb,” The Woodlands Turns 50
A master-planned community north of Houston offers lessons on green infrastructure and resilient design, but falls short of its founder’s lofty affordability and walkability goals.
Delivering for America Plan Will Downgrade Mail Service in at Least 49.5 Percent of Zip Codes
Republican and Democrat lawmakers criticize the plan for its disproportionate negative impact on rural communities.
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Balancing Bombs and Butterflies: How the National Guard Protects a Rare Species
The National Guard at Fort Indiantown Gap uses GIS technology and land management strategies to balance military training with conservation efforts, ensuring the survival of the rare eastern regal fritillary butterfly.
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