Empowering Communities to
Create a Livable New York
Presented at the Madison County: Healthy Community Design Workshop
Tuesday, October 26th, 2010
Colgate University
Lathrop Hall Auditorium
John Cochran, Assistant Director – Intergovernmental Affairs and
Strategic Planning
1
Sustainable Communities
for all ages
2
3
Tangible
&
Intangible
elements
4
Tangible elements
Communication venues—
Accessible accessible
Healthy
environment—
Basic
necessities—
public
Universally
designed
air quality services
Supportive
good
spaces
homes
Housing
water
easily
accessible
&
health
care—
&
buildings
Mobility
options
choices
Healthy—
food
affordable
choices
homes &
buildings
Work
&
volunteer
Transportation—
accessible
opportunities
accessible
affordable
& affordable
5
Intangible elements
Perception of safety
Sense of “community”
Social connections
Community integration
Sense of “empowerment”
Community “identity”
Valued “social capital”:
all ages
all cultural & ethnic groups
all functional abilities
Community’s
heritage & character
6
Some outcomes
More responsive
community
More vibrant
community
Higher quality of life
More “invested”
residents &
community members
More creative
solutions
More stable
population base
More efficient use
of resources
Better business climate
7
Why
now ?
Our communities . . . our world —
Changing significantly
Changing rapidly
8
Why
now ?
New York – a strong representation of
diversity:
Geographic
Economic
Demographic (age; disabilities)
Social (households; cultural)
Race / ethnicity
9
Why
now ?
• Based on 2009 Census estimates–there are over
3.7 million individuals ages 60 and over in NYS.
• By the year 2030, the population of New Yorkers
age sixty and over is projected to grow to 5.3
million by 2030, comprising nearly 25% of the
general population. NY ranks third in older adult
population behind California and Florida.
10
Why now ?
•
LTC System is un-sustainable .
•
Medicaid is the source of the majority of funds for formal long term care services both
nationally and in NY. 27 percent of Medicaid spending in New York is on long term care
service.
•
NY spends $12.4 billion for an array long term care services -- $6.6 billion being allocated
for nursing home level care and $5.8 billion for home and community based services.
•
All should understand these facts for economic reasons (keeping older adults in their
communities and paying privately helps the local and state economy) and for budgetary
reasons (reliance on Medicaid as long-term care financing is unsustainable).
A major driving force for a more Livable New York
11
Why now ?
Enhance the Health of Seniors /help address Chronic Illness
American Journal of Public Health - (Nov. 12/ 09)
Research done by UCLA and supported by the National Institute on Aging, has shown that disability rates are
on the rise for the baby boom generation.
People entering their 60’s from 1999-2004 were much more likely to be obese, have larger waist sizes and
get less exercise than those people who turned 60 from 1988-1994
NYS BRFSS Data/Expanded Data Sets - July 2008- June 2009





Avg./percentage by county of Overweight and Obese Adults (65 +) ranges from 53.6% to 76 %.
56% of those age 65+ have high blood pressure and almost 50% have high cholesterol
59% of those 65+ have arthritis
Approximately 20% of those 65+ have diabetes
Falls are a top reason for requiring hospitalization or nursing home placement
12
Why now ?
 $3.6 billion per month /$43.2 billion a year is paid to New Yorkers through Social Security, 65% of this
is received by our older residents and they receive billions in retirement pension benefits, a majority
of which are used to purchase goods and services.
 In New York according to the U.S. Census Bureau, 2005-07 American Community Survey 72 percent of
persons over 60 own their own homes - pay real property taxes and do not create additional demands
on a community’s local school system.
 In New York, over 143,014 grandparents are caring for their grandchildren (300,000) – who would
otherwise need placement in the state’s foster care system at an average annual cost of $47,000.
 80% of long-term care is provided by over 2.2 million informal caregivers in New York, saving tax
payers an estimated $40 billion annually – average age of a caregiver, 64.
 Helping Communities become Livable Communities through a process of thoughtful planning and
engagement that by design supports seniors so that they can safely live independently.
AARP membership survey revealed that 90% of their members want to
stay in their homes and communities as they age – i.e. not move.
13
Why now ?
The Coping Conundrum- Caregiving
“The life cycle is at once miraculous and cruel, launching us as
soft, smooth, frail creatures, until we grow and harden, then
curve back toward infancy, our final days spent once again
being fed and bathed and gently tended”.
“Unlike our great, rollicking debate about parenting, the
inverted question is harder; we raise kids, but we lower
parents, however gently”.
(Nancy Gibbs – 10/15/ 2010 Time Magazine)
14
Why now ?
Older People Represent a Tremendous Source of Economic
and Social Capital:
 The Baby Boom generation has amassed a tremendous
amount of personal wealth that is estimated at $7 trillion
 This age cohorts spends more disproportionally to their
numbers
 They volunteer and support community activities not only
through their service – but with their financial support
15
Why now ?
Economic Development:
 Gray Gold
States court retirees as a "clean" growth industry– 3.7 jobs
associated with supporting an older couple.
 The "graying" of the U.S. population creates substantial
opportunities for businesses that target their products and
services at older consumers. Increasingly, economic development
experts - regard affluent, mobile retirees as a key customer base
with a stable stream of income to be spent on local purchases
and investments.
 Just as states have competed in "smokestack chasing" for years,
many have begun to focus on attracting and retaining retirees.
http://www.window.state.tx.us/comptrol/fnotes/fn9611.html
16
Why now ?
Often the climate is a main reason by some to dismiss New York as a
retirement destination–but:
 AARP has selected two northern cities-with cold winters – in its list of top five
places to retire in the United States - Boston and Milwaukee,
 These cities that tend to have higher housing costs and taxes - since the tradeoff is
that they have the resources to invest in the programs and services that make a
place livable: mass transit systems, expanded sidewalks to encourage walking,
better health care, and a wide range of mixed use housing and are host to colleges
and universities that provide opportunities for life long learning and cultural
activities,
 Wisconsin has a net in-migration of residents ages 60-plus between 2000 and
2005.
http://www.milwaukeemagazine.com/currentissue/full_feature_story.asp?NewMe
ssageID=18904
 AARP healthiest places to live - Ann Arbor, Michigan; Fargo, North Dakota; and
Minneapolis- St. Paul, Minnesota.
17
Why now ?
Other states and countries are actively
seeking to recruit/attract retirees:
“States rushing to lure retirees” USA Today
http://www.usatoday.com/news/nation/2005-12-29-recruiting-retirees_x.htm
“Send us your baby boomers, states plead” Stateline
http://www.stateline.org/live/ViewPage.action?siteNodeId=136&languageId=1&contentId=45531
18
Why now ?
Newsweek - (May 21/ 09)highlights New
York’s desirable retirement communities:
The list included New York City, Ithaca, Cold
Spring, Skaneateles, Aurora, Cooperstown,
Woodstock, Hudson, Saratoga, Seneca Falls,
Watkins Glen and Greenport.
http://www.newsweekshowcase.com/retirement/newyork/articles/newyork-retirement
19
With change . . .
Comes changes in:
Expectations
Preferences
Needs
. . . and in
Issues & Solutions
20
A Livable NY principle . . .
Future-oriented planning
Change requires “future-based” planning
21
With diversity . . .
Comes increased
opportunities for:
Broadened perspectives
Creative & innovative solutions
Greater resources
22
A Livable NY principle . . .
Cross-community approach:
all ages, all cultures, all abilities
Livability relies on including all members of the
community– for defining issues and
identifying solutions.
23
Why
now ?
Public & private policy shift nationwide – a
growing emphasis on:
Partnerships
Coalitions
Collaborations
Teaming of sectors & disciplines
24
With collaboration . . .
Comes:
Creative, innovative ideas
Efficient use of resources
Sustainable solutions
Strengthened communities
25
A Livable NY principle . . .
Inclusive planning
Livability relies on a sustainable planning and
implementing approach --- bringing all community
sectors to the planning and decision-making table.
26
in N.Y. & U.S.
Many communities trying:
• Future-oriented planning
• Involving community groups
• Inclusive planning
• Coalition-building
but . . .
Here and there
Lack information
Face challenges
Need help
27
Livable New York
focus areas
Housing
Universal design
Planning
Not trying
to re-invent
the wheel
Zoning
Energy alternatives
Green Building
Transportation
Mobility
28
in N.Y. & U.S.
Different options / models
Innovative zoning strategies
Successful planning approaches
Practical community tools
but . . .
Here and there
Lack awareness
Face challenges
Need help
29
Not trying to re-invent the wheel
Principles of Smart Growth
Principles of Livable Communities
1. Create Range of Housing Opportunities and Choices
Providing quality housing for people of all income
levels is an integral component in any smart growth
strategy.
2. Create Walkable Neighborhoods
Walkable communities are desirable places to live,
work, learn, worship and play, and therefore a key
component of smart growth.
3. Encourage Community and Stakeholder Collaboration
Growth can create great places to live, work and play -if it responds to a community’s own sense of how and
where it wants to grow.
4. Foster Distinctive, Attractive Communities with a
Strong Sense of Place
Smart growth encourages communities to craft a vision
and set standards for development and construction
which respond to community values of architectural
beauty and distinctiveness, as well as expanded choices
in housing and transportation.
5. Make Development Decisions Predictable, Fair and
Cost Effective
For a community to be successful in implementing
smart growth, it must be embraced by the private sector.
1. Choice in living environments
2. Universally designed and accessible: housing,
communities, and communication methods/venues
3. Walkable communities and complete streets
4. Accessible, affordable transportation options
5. Sustainable homes and communities— using green,
energy-efficient, and smart growth strategies
6. Flexible land-use policies
7. Inclusive, collaborative planning process used for
defining issues and designing solutions—includes all
residents and all community sectors
8. "Community-driven" planning and development
9. Social connections among residents
10.Active social and civic engagement in community life
by residents of all ages, all cultures, and all abilities
11.Meaningful volunteer and paid work opportunities
12.Access to appropriate and affordable basic necessities:
a. Healthy food
b. Social interactions
c. Amenities and social services
d. Preventative health services
e. Medical care
30
Not trying to re-invent the wheel
Principles of Smart Growth
6. Mix Land Uses
Smart growth supports the integration of mixed land uses
into communities as a critical component of achieving
better places to live.
7. Preserve Open Space, Farmland, Natural Beauty and
Critical Environmental Areas
Open space preservation supports smart growth goals by
bolstering local economies, preserving critical
environmental areas, improving our communities quality
of life, and guiding new growth into existing
communities.
8. Provide a Variety of Transportation Choices
Providing people with more choices in housing,
shopping, communities, and transportation is a key aim
of smart growth.
9. Strengthen and Direct Development Towards
Existing Communities
Smart growth directs development towards existing
communities already served by infrastructure, seeking to
utilize the resources that existing neighborhoods offer,
and conserve open space and irreplaceable natural
resources on the urban fringe.
10.Take Advantage of Compact Building Design
Smart growth provides a means for communities to
incorporate more compact building design as an
alternative to conventional, land consumptive
Principles of Livable Communities
13.
14.
15.
16.
Healthy home environment
Safe neighborhood environment
Support for family caregivers
Ability to exercise preferences: Age-in place
a. Privacy
b. Personal autonomy
c. Maximized independence
17. Residents, businesses, and community
organizations feel:
a. A "sense of community“
b. Community identity
c. Shared feeling of belonging
18. Community leaders build upon their "social
capital":
a. Value and use skills, creativity, and ideas of
all community members—all ages, all
cultural/ethnic groups, and all functional
abilities—for planning and decision-making
19. Community decisions reflect the changing
characteristics of the overall
community profiles
31
Community Empowerment Initiative
$490,000 in State grants have been awarded in August 2009 to fifteen not-forprofit organizations and local governments to support the creation of
communities in which older adults can successfully age in place.
The grants provide funding for innovative programs and activities that support
and enhance opportunities for community participation in planning and
creating aging friendly neighborhoods.
Applicants submitted proposals to either:
1. Organize and undertake a planning process that will lead to
development of a community empowerment plan; or
2. Implement innovative strategies, programs . services or activities
resulting from a community empowerment planning process that has
already been undertaken to enable aging in the community
32
Community Empowerment Initiative
Community Empowerment grants awarded by the New York State Office for the Aging to:

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Allegany/Western Steuben Rural Health Network, Inc.
Albany County Department of Social Services - w/Schenectady County
Chemung County Department of Aging and Long Term Care
Claire Heureuse Community Center, Inc.
Cornell Cooperative Extension of Sullivan County
Family of Woodstock, Inc.
Grand Street Settlement
Heights and Hill Community Council
Isabella Geriatric Center
Mental Health Association of Rockland County
Mercy Care of the Adirondacks
North Fork Women for Women Fund, Inc.
Steuben County Office for the Aging
Town of North Hempstead Department of Services for the Aging
Upper Hudson Primary Care Consortium
33
Intent of Livable New York
Help communities advance their efforts to
improve their level of livability.
34
Livable New York
Academy
Education
Training
Technical Assistance
35
36
Livable New York
Academy
Three major steps
1. Community training
2. Community evaluation
3. Project(s) implementation
37
1. Community Training
A training day for:
public officials, local government,
community leaders, community groups,
professional disciplines / sectors
Training day: assistance by the Academy.
38
Step 1
training
●
Understanding the impact of demographic and social
change on your community.
●
Elements and benefits of—
a livable community, and
an inclusive approach to achieving livability.
●
Steps in the Academy process.
●
Roles for different community sectors—
in the Academy process, and
in achieving community livability.
●
How to sustain a community-coalition approach.
●
Role of the Livable New York initiative.
39
Step 1
outcome
Community decision –
Whether to engage in the Academy’s
second step:
Community Evaluation
40
2. Community Evaluation
An evaluation of
residents’ perceptions
of their community’s livability.
Evaluation: assistance by the Academy.
41
Step 2
community evaluation
Residents’ views—
For example:
●
What they like & don’t like about their community.
●
What are their community’s strengths & what is missing.
●
Why would they stay in their community.
●
Why would they consider moving away.
●
Check-up on the elements of a livable community:
housing, mobility, walkability, sense of
empowerment, accessibility, services, others.
42
Step 2
community evaluation
Assistance with identifying—
●
Training for forming the evaluation team and for
implementing the process.
●
Successful evaluation tools; roles for various
community sectors and residents.
●
Resources for analysis of findings.
●
Strategies for publicizing the evaluation activity.
●
Strategies for involving the community in
prioritizing the evaluation’s findings.
43
Part 2
community evaluation
Must follow Livable New York principles—
Inclusive and cross-community
planning and implementation:
●
●
Community-wide resident engagement.
Intergenerational— across all ages.
●
Across cultures.
●
Across disability groups.
●
Involve multiple & non-traditional sectors.
44
Step 2
outcomes
●
Broad community involvement.
●
Heightened awareness of the community’s livability goals.
●
Activated interest in achieving livability.
●
Findings form basis for Step 3 of the Academy:
Selecting and implementing livability projects
and activities.
45
3. Implementing Solutions
Selecting and implementing
models, approaches, and strategies that
form solutions in response to
the findings from the community evaluation.
Step 3: assistance by the Academy.
46
Step 3
implementing solutions
Technical assistance with—
●
Prioritizing evaluation findings and selecting projects and
activities to implement.
●
Identifying community-coalition sectors for implementation.
●
Information on successful and innovative:
Models, strategies, and approaches related to the chosen
projects and activities.
●
Weighing alternative solutions—
Training & education on the benefits of various models,
strategies, & approaches.
●
Facilitate overcoming implementation challenges and
barriers.
47
Step 3
implementing solutions
Technical assistance sources—
For example:
●
Government agencies.
●
Private sector professionals.
●
Universities and researchers.
●
Industry.
●
Others.
48
Part 3
Implementing solutions
Must follow Livable New York principle—
Inclusive planning and implementation:
Involve multiple & non-traditional sectors.
49
The Academy
summary
Education, training, facilitated technical assistance:
1.
2.
Meet with key local official.
Educate/train community members & leaders.
Facilitate/train for community evaluation process.
3. Facilitate project-selection process.
Train on alternative models/strategies.
Facilitate technical assistance in implementation.
50
The Academy
A Livable NY principle . . .
Community-driven
Planning & development
51
Community-driven
The community
makes the decisions
and conducts
the process & activities
Livable New York
assists with
education
training
technical assistance
52
Resource
Manual
53
Sustainable Communities
for all ages
54
Livable New York
Home Page
Recommendations
Presentations
Links to Affiliate Partners’ web home pages
Information / updates: Academy projects
Resource Manual
55
Resource Manual -- intent
ONE
tool for communities
Written
by a cross-section
of the community
56
Resource Manual -- intent
Written
for a general audience
Easy to read—
want to educate across sectors
Stimulate & broaden
thinking
57
Is the Manual comprehensive ?
No
58
Resource Manual . . .
. . . on the web
HTML . . .
for accessibility
for live links to resources
PDF . . .
for printing in manual format
59
Resource Manual . . .
. . . 7 sections
I. Demographic & Social Trends
II. Planning and Zoning
III. Housing
Housing Options
Housing-Related Services
Development
IV. Design
Universal Design
Energy-Efficiency and Alternatives
Green Building
V. Mobility and Transportation
VI. Community Tools and Resources
VII. Appendix
60
Resource Manual . . .
. . . for reading ease
1. Consistent format –
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
▪
Description
Benefits
Challenges / barriers
Operating examples
Written and web resources
Technical assistance names
2. Very short “Description”
61
Sustainability
Livable New York
Not a PROJECT— with a beginning & an end
Rather . . .
Why now ?
A process that will be institutionalized
as a way of doing business
. . . and that you will apply to other
community planning efforts and issue
resolutions.
62
How to Contact
NYSOFA - http://www.aging.ny.gov/
NYSOFA Helpline – 1-800 -342-9871
NY Connects - http://www.nyconnects.org/
County Offices for the Aging http://www.aging.ny.gov/NYSOFA/LocalOffices.cfm