Austin, Texas Print
Joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network:
12/12/2012
Lead Agency: AustinUP
Non-profit
Action Plan Download
Austin developed its action plan in collaboration with Austin's Commission on Seniors. The plan commits to funding and developing more affordable housing and affordable repairs, increasing accessibility in residential development for older adults, enhancing outdoor spaces to increase access and utilization, improving pedestrian safety and expediting road improvements, improving public transit, increasing transit options by educating older adults about new transit modes, and encouraging walkability by building safe and accessible sidewalks.
Action Plan Highlights
Transportation
Improve transportation systems by enhancing pedestrian safety, installing easy-to-read signage, and encouraging public transit use by offering older rider discounts.Housing
Encourage new and redeveloped mixed-income housing by tracking housing costs for middle- and low-income residents, improving zoning, and better assessing demand.Communication and Information
Broadcast the "Commission on Seniors" meetings at times convenient for older adults.
Progress Report Download
Austin's age-friendly progress report outlines how multiple branches of local government worked together to reach the community's age-friendly goals. In 2018, the Commission on Seniors hired a program coordinator to coordinate implementation of Austin's age-friendly plan. In the following years brought with them two emergency situations - the COVID-19 pandemic and Winter Storm Uri. The city and its municipal departments and local volunteers adapted to respond to older-adults' needs. Other achievements include launching a longevity center at UT Austin, partnering with a local nonprofit to create a task force to bring a SAGE affiliate to Austin, supporting community engagement among older adults in the local Asian-American community and hosting annual events to further discussion around advocacy in age-friendly work.