Portland, Maine Print
Joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network:
8/13/2014
Lead Agency: City of Portland Office of Elder Affairs
Government Agency
Action Plan Download
Portland developed its action plan around the four immediate priorities of health and community services, housing, transportation, and communication. The plan commits to helping residents to age in place and sets up an affordable housing strategy. Portland will also enhance pedestrian safety while improving affordability and access to public transit. Finally, Portland aims to increase access to information about services, programs, and events that may be useful to Portland residents as they age.
Action Plan Highlights
Transportation
Make transit systems more user friendly for older adults by building more passenger shelters and wayfinding methods.Outdoor Spaces
Increase awareness of existing parks and outdoor activities.Housing
Address the housing needs of older adults by providing training for property managing of public and private housing.
Progress Report Download
Portland's age-friendly progress report focuses heavily on their work on communication and information, transportation and walkability, housing, and aging in place. The community undertook several information sharing initiatives, including a guide directing people to resources and programs for older adults, a speaker series on disability and aging, a community summit, age-friendly business designations and physical and online branding. The community also made progress in their transportation work, conducting studies to assess the accessibility of walkways and ramps, initiating winter weather programs, educating older adults on public transportation options and creating a Complete Streets initiative. Portland's housing work focused on availability and affordability, with a concentration on aging in place. The community created a number of affordable housing initiatives and worked with a nonprofit that creates "area villages" to help older-adults age in place.