1. Title text here
Rodney Harrell, PhD
Senior Strategic Policy Advisor
AARP Public Policy Institute
2. U.S. population is growing …
and growing older
65+ Share of
Total
Year 65+ Population Total
Population
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
3. Livable Communities
Mobility:
Americans 50+ are
able to sustain
mobility as they
age
Photo by Jana Lynott
Housing:
Americans 50+
have appropriate
and affordable
housing options Photo by Jana Lynott
4. PPI Report:
“Preserving Affordability and Access in Livable
Communities:
Subsidized Housing Opportunities near Transit and the 50+
Population”
Authors:
Rodney Harrell, PhD
AARP Public Policy Institute
Allison Brooks
Reconnecting America
Todd Nedwick
National Housing Trust
AARP, Reconnecting America, and the National Housing Trust developed a study, research
paper and Solutions Forum that looked at housing, transportation, and land use.
This study looked at the differences between housing near transit and housing far from
transit, the location of subsidized housing in 20 cities, and how housing location mattered to
older persons who lived in those apartments.
PPI Report #2009-15
5. Miami, FL
Properties were gated –
increased safety, but at a
cost
Bus service reduced to
save costs
Poor bus shelters
Heavy Use of STS
(Paratransit)
“Alternative” amenities and
services created
7. Cleveland, OH
Long waiting lists for
housing
Safety and perception
of safety were issues
Lack of access to train
station limits the use
by residents
Good bus service on
main avenues,
problems getting
elsewhere
10. Twin Cities, MN
The downtown location
in Minneapolis has
access to light rail,
buses, shopping
Buses in Edina not
“frequent” but are useful
Car access not as
important as in other
areas due to effective,
useful transit
12. Who Benefits the Most from Housing
Near Transit?
Minimal Benefit Full Benefit
High Amount of Limitations Low Amount of Limitations
Individual: Individual:
Significant physical limitations that prevent Open to the idea of transit, without
boarding or waiting for transit. unaddressed cognitive or physical impairments,
and able to read and understand signage.
Those who do not understand the transit system.
Community (External): Community (External):
Living in poorly planned or economically struggling Living in well-planned, safe, healthy communities and
communities with little shopping or services nearby. in walkable neighborhoods with resources nearby.
Poor transit service, including bus drivers who won’t Frequent, accessible, reliable transit service that
stop, poor route planning, unreliable service, connects to most other places that one would want to
inaccessible stops/stations, high crime levels. travel to.
13. Policy Implications
• The preservation of existing (and
Housing creation of new) affordable housing,
particularly in advantageous locations
• Greater integration of transportation
Integration and land use in policy, planning and
implementation efforts
• Improvements and greater investment
Transportation in transit
15. 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 www.aarp.org/ppi/liv-com
common need for economic security,
health care, and quality of life.
For publications, send requests to: ppi@aarp.org