Governor Paterson Announces Initiatives to Create Livable Communities for Older Persons

ALBANY, NY (10/26/2010)(readMedia)-- Governor David A. Paterson today announced several initiatives now available to help localities create livable communities, particularly for older New Yorkers. Included in these initiatives is the Livable New York Resource Manual and policy recommendations which were presented to the Governor by the New York State Office for the Aging (NYSOFA), New York State Department of State (DOS) and New York State Homes and Community Renewal (NYSHCR). Governor Paterson also recently signed a new law that will help localities plan for senior housing.

"With a rapidly aging population, New York's communities are changing significantly," Governor Paterson said. "One in five people in the country will be over the age of 65 by 2030, but in many respects, the communities we've developed over the past 40 years do not accommodate the housing, neighborhood and mobility needs of an aging population. The resources announced today will help communities plan for livable, age-integrated communities so seniors in New York can continue to live and prosper in the communities in which they've resided and raised their children."

Senator Brian Foley said: "I am proud to be the Senate sponsor on this important legislation that will keep our seniors in their homes and in our communities. And I applaud the Governor's decision to sign this legislation. Ensuring that more homes are built and renovated for accessibility will allow seniors to stay in their homes, will eliminate the need to move to assisted living or nursing facilities and will help seniors retain their independence."

Assemblyman Steve Englebright said: "When Long Island invented suburbia we designed our then new communities as if everyone would be in their mid-career, family-making years forever. However, baby boomers are now becoming senior boomers and if their now too large 'empty nests' are their only lifestyle option then these pioneers of suburban living will surely take both their vitality and economically important pensions to places like Florida or South Carolina. Governor Paterson has wisely, recently signed this law that will enable development of model planning and zoning guidelines for communities such as ours. When adopted locally this initiative will help create thousands of jobs and keep our seniors and young people on Long Island in new compact residences at walkable downtown and village settings."

New York State Office for the Aging Director Michael Burgess said: "The graying of New York presents both challenges and opportunities for the State. Older New Yorkers remain active assets in our communities and many are eager to help each other to remain living independently in the community of their choice. I am very pleased to present these initiatives to Governor Paterson, and hopefully these tools will help older New Yorkers and local leaders to adapt their neighborhoods and communities to be more age-friendly and livable for all our diverse residents. It's a win/win proposition for all involved."

The initiatives and proposals presented to the Governor include:

• The Livable New York Resource Manual. NYSOFA presented to the Governor and the Legislature, and released publicly, the Livable New York Resource Manual, which will help local officials, professionals and residents plan, zone and develop for livable communities, aging-in-place and sustainable neighborhoods – stressing future-based planning on evolving demographic trends. The manual addresses the Livable New York focus areas – housing, transportation, mobility, green buildings, energy alternatives and inclusive planning. The Livable New York Resource Manual is available on-line at http://www.aging.ny.gov/.

• The Livable New York Policy Recommendations. In response to the aging of the State's population, a 2007 law sponsored by Assemblyman Englebright directed certain State agencies to develop policy recommendations for communities to plan and zone for the future. Over the past two years, NYSOFA, DOS and NYSHCR – together with a broad-based advisory workgroup of experts in livability – established recommendations to accomplish this goal, with the intent of creating livable communities for all residents of New York's neighborhoods, with an emphasis on seniors. The "Advisory Workgroup Report" of recommendations is available at http://www.aging.ny.gov/.

• The Livable New York Academy. The Livable New York Academy is a three-step education, training and technical assistance process created by NYSOFA to empower and assist communities in promoting age-integrated communities and improving the livability and quality-of-life for all residents.

• Recent Legislation. In August, the Governor signed A.3397/S.4981, sponsored by Senator Foley and Assemblyman Englebright, directing the State to develop model planning and zoning guidelines for communities to create compact, mixed-use senior housing and residential accessory dwelling units, called "granny flats."

A recent survey of seniors conducted by AARP found that: 40 percent of respondents said they do not have adequate sidewalks in their neighborhoods; 44 percent said they do not have accessible public transit; and nearly half - 47 percent - said they cannot cross the main roads in their neighborhoods safely. The AARP survey also found that 89 percent of persons over 50 want to remain in their communities.

"Continued sprawl, without adequate Smart Growth options, will only heighten seniors' isolation from the surrounding community, erode their sense of independence and mobility, and make it more difficult for them to remain physically and socially involved in their communities. For the one-in-five seniors over 65 who no longer drive, these adverse affects can be devastating," the Governor concluded.

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The following statements were provided in support of Governor Paterson's efforts to create livable communities for New York's older persons:

Acting Secretary of State Ruth Naomi Colon said: "Older persons, retirees and empty-nesters make a tremendous contribution to the diversity and quality-of-life of New York's many different communities. Therefore, it is critical that we provide them affordable housing and mobility options that accommodate their changing needs and lifestyles. The policy recommendations and the resource manual will provide the sort of help that localities need to create age-integrated communities based on the principles of Smart Growth and livability. I applaud Governor Paterson for his efforts on this vital initiative and thank him for the opportunity to be a part of this effort to assist communities in pursuing these noble goals."

New York State Homes and Community Renewal Commissioner/CEO Brian Lawlor said: "Under the Governor's leadership, we have recently integrated all the State's major housing agencies under a single management structure. NYSHCR will be the perfect vehicle to coordinate housing and community renewal resources for this effort to create age-integrated affordable housing that will allow seniors to remain in their home communities."

Peter Fleischer, Executive Director of Empire State Future, said: "Empire State Future, New York State's smart growth advocacy coalition, commends the Paterson Administration for these wise planning and zoning initiatives. New Yorkers require communities that are livable and appropriate to their age and lifestyles. This is not just about today's seniors. Within fifteen years the entire baby boom generation will be over sixty."

Lois Aronstein, Executive Director of the New York State AARP, said: "We must overcome the barriers that prevent older residents from fully participating in the life of their communities and from accessing important services. As the population ages, the importance of planning and building livable communities that promote independence and mobility becomes more apparent. AARP believes the release of the resource materials by the Governor today is a solid step in that direction, as is enacting statewide 'Complete Streets' legislation to provide safe access to all users of our roadways."

Dan Heim, Interim President/CEO of the New York Association of Homes and Services for the Aging (NYAHSA), said: "Having the resources available for community leaders, developers and providers to construct service enriched housing and livable neighborhoods will be critical for New York seniors to remain in the most independent settings possible. The Livable New York Resource Manual and Livable New York Academy will ensure the most current information is available to offer well-planned housing and neighborhoods that integrate residence, transportation and energy efficiency programs. In addition, the laws and policy recommendations developed in this initiative will assist in making sure there is an integrated approach to planning for the future of aging services in New York State. NYAHSA was pleased to be part of these projects and applauds Governor Paterson and all the parties involved in offering these valuable resources."

Rich Ianello, Executive Director of the Albany Guardian Society, said: "Communities and neighborhoods across New York State are working hard to ensure that as their populations age, they are attempting to promote livable environments that are beneficial to citizens of all ages and abilities. Albany Guardian Society congratulates the New York State Office for the Aging and the New York State Department of State for this timely and much-needed effort."

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