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 224-1113jwbrodeur@aarp.org

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