Government Agency

Seattle developed its action plan specifically focused on reducing racial and social inequality, addressing the needs of refugees and immigrants, and more broadly accommodating the needs of its large LGBTQ population. The plan identifies strategies for improvement in each of the eight domains of livability to address the environmental, economic, and social factors influencing the health and well-being of older adults.

Seattle's progress report highlights a near total accomplishment of its 29 goals. To promote access to housing, transportation and public spaces, the city has made progress on improving its streets and wayfinding. The initiative supported the creation of a 'Street Design Toolkit for Age-Friendly Neighborhoods.' Seattle promoted universal design, supporting multiple public events, networking opportunities, and demo projects aimed at educating key audiences about the importance of intentional design that enables aging at home. The initiative also coordinated an interdepartmental project to map out available senior housing, suggested a 'visitability' standard for housing development, and provided input on the housing recommendations put forth by the Mayor's Council on African American Elders. Seattle worked to address social isolation by bringing people together online and emphasizing language inclusivity. The city has also held monthly in-person and virtual Civic Coffee events.