blcp year one– outcomes of conversing with the community
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BLCP Year One– Outcomes of Conversing with the Community. Jennifer Wallace-Brodeur AARP Vermont. What is the Burlington Livable Community Project?. - PowerPoint PPT PresentationTRANSCRIPT
BLCP Year One– Outcomes of
Conversing with the Community
Jennifer Wallace-BrodeurAARP Vermont
What is the Burlington Livable Community Project?
A collaborative process between AARP Vermont, City of Burlington, “stakeholder” organizations and residents of Burlington, articulating a vision for increasing Burlington’s livability as its population ages.
Year One – Four Major Research Activities Focus Groups Citizen/Stakeholder
Groups Housing, Mobility,
Community Engagement Pedestrian Evaluation Telephone Survey
Wisdom gleaned from citizen participants
“I take the car to places I could walk because getting across the street [Shelburne Road] is so difficult.”
“When you get old, you’re no longer who you were… nobody knows you except as an old person.
The fact is, we have a treasure trove of experience and interesting things to share.”
“There’s things Burlington has to offer if you have really great resources. You can find a terrific place to live. And I think if you are in a poverty situation, you can find some place to live. But that middle –
when I sell my house to downsize, where am I going to go?”
BLCP Survey of Age 45+ Burlington Residents
Age Breakdown of Respondents
26%
30%
24%
20%
45-54
55-64
65-74
75+
Survey Participants by Neighborhood
18%
35%24%
9%
14%Old North End
New North End
South End
Downtown
Hill Section
37% Male 63% Female
BLCP Survey of Age 45+ Burlington Residents
Income of Survey Respondents
0%5%
10%15%20%25%30%35%
Less than$35,000
$35K -$75,000
$ Over$75,000
Education Level
HS or less26%
Some College
21%
College +
53%
HS or less
Some College
College +
77% own; 23% rent 1/3 of renters in senior
housing; rest are in non-age restricted housing
38% live alone; 52% with spouse or partner; 29% live with family; 3% friend
Housing
Housing Residents living alone more likely to live
downtown (71%) or in the Old North End (50%)
Among those living alone about ½ would consider homesharing – support for this declines with age
90% agree with the statement: “What I’d really like to do is stay in my neighborhood [and home] for as long as possible.”
Housing Residents in ONE and Downtown more worried
about crime, conflict with neighbors and neighborhood changing in ways they don’t like
Items that make it difficult to stay in own home or community Financial issues top the list such as affording property
taxes, rent, and utilities Significant # concerned about factors that could limit their
independence such as not being able to drive and getting help with personal care and chores
Mobility
Majority of 45+ get out at least 5x/week Residents 75+ get out
much less frequently: compared to younger residents they are 2x as likely to get out only 2x per week or less
Lower income and lower education residents also get out less frequently
Mobility 76% of residents 45+ drive
as primary mode of transportation
65% for those 75 and older drive as primary mode
College educated more likely to walk or drive. Those with less education more likely to get a ride, or take a taxi or bus
Residents 75+ more frequently miss out on opportunities because of lack of transportation – true for lower income and lesser education
Mobility 30% use the bus occasionally; of these 40% report taking the
bus within the past 2 months
Residents with income below $35K take the bus more frequently: 53% reported taking the bus at least weekly in past 2 months
Negatives about the bus: Lack of weekend or evening service Lack of adequate shelter or place to sit while waiting Inconvenient schedules
#1 Reason for not using the bus – 52% report they drive or have other transportation
CommunityEngagement
About 60% of residents are part of some kind of group – same percentage volunteer.
Likelihood of being engaged in some kind of group increases with education and income.
Likelihood of volunteering decreases with age but increases with income and education.
CommunityEngagement
Those 75+ cite health or disability and lack of transportation as reasons they don’t volunteer.
Generally good awareness of community activities for older residents and high marks for convenient meeting places and well-run community centers, rec centers, etc.
Educational opportunities topped the list of activities people wanted in Burlington.
RecommendedActions
INFRASTRUCTURE Develop senior housing game plan with range of options across income
levels, ensuring that new housing or redeveloped sites prioritize access to public transportation and elder services
Design housing to boomer preferences – multi-generational, smart design, convenient to services & activities
Develop programs for upgrading existing housing stock to better serve the needs of elders
Encourage creative thinking in meeting future housing needs – home sharing, cooperatives, continuing care communities and accessory apartments
Provide more dementia care facilities, assisted living residences and supportive housing options for low and middle income residents
HOUSING
RecommendedActions
AGING IN PLACE SERVICES Facilitate growth of support services; explore development of
naturally occurring retirement communities (NORCs) with a hub that provides services to the neighborhood
Enhance communication of information and networking amongst agencies with targeted services for elders
Advocate at the state and national level for increased financial support of programs delivering services to elders in their homes
Evaluate, improve and expand Housing and Support Services (HASS) to other senior housing sites throughout the city
HOUSING
RecommendedActions
PEDESTRIAN Prioritize pedestrian improvements – longer walk
signals for crossing major streets, ample public benches along major routes, better lighting of bus stops, parking lots & parking garages
Expand & enforce pedestrian friendly ordinancesfor effective and safe shared use of sidewalks between pedestrians, bicyclists, skateboarders, and electric vehicles
MOBILITY
RecommendedActions
PUBLIC TRANSIT & INNOVATION Improve weekend and night bus service, expand service area,
and increase service frequency Work with community and state leaders to increase funding for
public transportation Explore partnerships with community non-profits, businesses, and
institutions to get people to events and activities Increase marketing of the benefits and convenience of using
public transportation Research and encourage the establishment of innovative
programs such as Zip Cars, car donation and volunteer driver programs
MOBILITY
RecommendedActions
SENIOR PROGRAMMING Build wide array of enrichment opportunities for senior population
in collaboration with senior centers, colleges, and cultural and recreational institutions
Integrate consideration of limited mobility access issues and other needs of older adults in event and program planning
Develop capacity within city government with an “ombudsman” or council/commission to represent BLCP and senior issues.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
RecommendedActions
TAPPING EXPERTISE OF ELDERS Create a city culture that recognizes and uses the rich
experiences of its elder population through strong volunteer/mentoring programs
Work with the business community to develop innovative older worker employment policies
Encourage seniors to share the wisdom of the senior voice through active civic engagement on boards and committees throughout the city
Train and organize citizens to advocate for policy change at the state and local level.
COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT
BLCP Stakeholders
AARP Vermont Burlington CEDO Burlington City Arts Burlington Housing Authority Burlington Parks & Recreation Burlington Police Department Burlington Public Works Cathedral Square Corporation CCTA Champlain Senior Center Champlain Valley Agency on Aging Champlain Long Term Care Coalition Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning
Organization Community of Vermont Elders (COVE) Converse Home Ethan Allen Residence FAHC Community Health Improvement FAHC Elder Care
Fletcher Free Library Greater Burlington YMCA Heineberg Senior Center HomeShare Vermont Snelling Center for Government United Way Foster Grandparents & RSVP UVM – Department of Continuing Education UVM Transportation Center Vermont Interfaith Action Vermont LGBTQ Elders Project Vermont Refugee Resettlement Project Visiting Nurse Association
To Get Involved in the BLCP
CONTACT:Jennifer Wallace-BrodeurAARP VT112 State St. 5th FloorMontpelier, VT 05602802 [email protected]
www.aarp.org/vt
Growing Older in a Livable City
A Report on Focused Conversations with Burlington Citizens (Age 50+)
http://www.aarp.org/research/housing- mobility/indliving/vt_communities_2007.html