Comments below submitted by Michael A. Spotts to Arlington County as part of its five-year review of the Affordable Housing Master Plan:
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Thank you for the opportunity to provide comments on expanding housing opportunities for seniors and persons with disabilities (Objectives 2.4 & 2.5). Households that are in one or both of these groups are not a monolith and have a wide range of preferences in terms of housing and neighborhood types, as well as a wide range of needs in terms of home, health and community supports. In my research (which has included a study on senior housing needs in Montgomery County and housing for seniors and persons with disabilities as part of the Howard County, MD overall housing plan), I’ve found that there is a strong preference for “aging-in-place,” and/or living in the most integrated living environment as possible (in the context of non-senior households with disabilities). However, what actually constitutes those circumstances can vary significantly. For some, it means modifications to their existing homes. For others it means being able to move/downsize but stay in their current neighborhood. For still others, it may mean living in a purpose-specific community (such as an age-restricted or supportive housing community) that’s still within the context of the community in which they’ve lived most of their lives. At a high level, the County can better meet objectives 2.4 and 2.5 by expanding housing choice and affordability more broadly and providing a range of supports and tools. Specific example of how this can be accomplished (some of which is current policy in Arlington) include:
Ensuring rental assistance is available for all households in need.
Providing property tax deferrals (which are preferable to abatements) to existing, low-income homeowners.
Addressing the complexity of the existing home modification process through technical assistance, which can include but is not limited to: supporting access to Occupational Therapist in home needs assessments; subsidy/program navigation support; contractor vetting services; and “by-right” approval of all accessibility improvements. Financial assistance is also important for lower-income households.
Providing incentives to increase the supply of units that meet visitability, universal design, and higher levels of ADA compliance.
Enhancing existing unit matching resources for persons seeking accessible units, and providing resources to renters seeking to negotiate early lease termination in order to move to an accessible unit.
Requiring that all neighborhood and infrastructure planning efforts proactively address accessibility issues.
Filling “gaps” in neighborhood infrastructure that inhibit walkability and wheelchair access for those with mobility impairments.
Proactively focusing on age- and disability-friendly housing types (such as cottage clusters) as part of the Missing Middle study and all other neighborhood planning efforts.
Exploring creative subsidized development types, such as the “intentional intergenerational” supportive living environment (example: Howard County’s plans for Patuxent Commons; https://courbanize.com/projects/patuxentcommons/information).