Housing is the foundation of personal well-being and engagement with one's community. Older adults, like people of all ages, need a variety of housing options that adapt to changing family size, health and social lifestyles, preferences, and needs. A wider range of housing models are emerging, such as accessory dwelling units. There are also new models of residential communities with a range of services. Luckily, we can scale these models to meet the needs of an aging population.
People with disabilities and older adults will have affordable, accessible housing options.
Housing search and application assistance will be available to applicants needing assistance.
Waitlists for affordable, accessible apartments will be less than three months, as new housing options relieve demand.
Residential services and case managers will be available on-site at large complexes to connect residents with accessible transportation and other services.
While more affordable and accessible housing is urgently needed, Sacramento County has a number of residential communities designed for older adults and people with disabilities, as well as community-based partners to help with the housing search and application process.
The Sacramento Housing and Redevelopment Agency coordinates and disseminates resources for tenants, landlords, and developers. Resources for Independent Living helps people with disabilities to find and apply for affordable, accessible housing. Rebuilding Together assesses homes and makes repairs to improve health, safety, and efficiency.
There are examples and a variety of affordable and accessible apartment communities for older adults and people with disabilities. The Agency on Aging Area 4’s Key Connections Program matches older adults with younger residents to create affordable, intergenerational shared housing arrangements.
The Sacramento Safe House and Nottoli Place Shelter offer safe, private accommodations for older adults fleeing abuse or in need of emergency shelter. Adult Protective Services and Volunteers of America staff assist guests in locating long-term housing, a challenge in the current housing market.
From our community needs assessment, we heard from county residents that there is insufficient affordable and accessible housing for low and middle-income residents on a fixed income.
There is also a need for:
More housing designed to be affordable and accessible for people with disabilities and older adults. There is an extreme deficit in accessible housing of any type; therefore, the need to build or retrofit accessible housing units is critical.
More owners and property managers who are responsive to accessibility and habitability barriers and concerns.
Reasonable access to services and transportation.
In-house or mobile case management for larger communities.
Access to affordable emergency repairs.
No person with a disability or over the age of 60 will be homeless in Sacramento County for lack of affordable and accessible housing, outside of rare and brief episodes, as determined by annual Point-in-Time (PIT) count data.
Prioritize and expand innovative strategies for housing older adults and people with disabilities in safe, affordable, and accessible spaces.
Proposed strategies include, but are not limited to, co-living and housing match programs; eviction prevention services for renters, and mortgage and maintenance assistance for homeowners; home downsizing assistance; dedicated apartments for residents with sensory and mobility disabilities; housing designed for the deaf and hard of hearing; dementia villages; on-site services (including accessible transportation); on-site or mobile case management; and grants for housing and related assistance.
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