Washington, DC Print

Joined the AARP Age-Friendly Network:
10/3/2012

Lead Agency: Washington Office on Aging

Government Agency

Action Plan Download

Positioned in the DC Office of the Deputy Mayor for Health and Human Services, Age-Friendly DC has aligned with 20 agencies across DC government who report results about progress to the Mayor's City Administrator. Over 100 community organizations are actively helping to change DC into an easier city in which to grow older. Age-Friendly DC has succeeded in making sidewalk repairs as important as roadway upkeep. Long term care workforce training and licensure among 50+ year old persons living in public housing should be a priority across the nation, as it is in DC, where 20% want to work to make ends meet and/or achieve purposeful living.

Action Plan Highlights

  1. Housing

    Increase the supply of affordable housing for older adults by reviewing ADU zoning restrictions, and providing consumer-facing inventories of older adult housing options.

  2. Health and Community Services

    Compensate low-income, unpaid caregivers of Medicaid-eligible residents for respite care.

  3. Health and Community Services

    DC's Citywide Family Medical Leave Act was implemented in 2020, (funded with DC businesses' pooled resources) to provide paid time off for new parents and the caregivers of disabled residents, with the enthusiastic support of Age-Friendly DC.

Progress Report Download

Completed during the COVID-19 pandemic, Washington, D.C.'s progress report focuses on housing access, walkability, employment and inclusivity. Since completing its action plan, the District added hundreds of units of affordable housing, including some specifically designed for grandparents raising grandchildren. Additionally, the City reduced fair housing complaints and created a grant programs to assist residents with home modifications. The District added new curb ramps, installed 40,000 square feet of new or improved sidewalks and made public transit stops accessible. They lowered unemployment for older workers and created an age-friendly business program. To increase inclusivity, the community provided LGBTQIA+ cultural competency training to direct service providers. During the pandemic, Washington hosted virtual engagements aimed at helping older residents learn new, marketable skills. The City also worked to provide income and food assistance to families in need.

Nearby AARP Community Challenge Projects

1882 Foundation (2020)

Washington, DC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2020

Project Category: Capturing data and feedback from residents

Description: The 1882 Foundation hoped to strengthen community identity and increase civic engagement in DC's Chinatown, particularly among older adults. The Foundation designed a digital map featuring stories about places with historical and cultural significance to the neighborhood's longtime community members, including past and present residents and leaders. The Foundation distributed storytelling kits, which included tools to help participants tell their stories by writing and recording audio. Project organizers provided storytellers with bilingual instructions in English and Mandarin. To promote the initiative, the Foundation held a Mid-Autumn Festival event at the Wah Luck House, an affordable housing complex. Organizers say the digital platform will help inform urban planning policies by ensuring community priorities are included in redevelopment proposals for Chinatown.

Capitol Hill Village (2018)

Washington, DC

AARP Community Challenge Grant Year: 2018

Project Category: Engaging people in transportation options/safety

Description: To increase older adults' mobility, the Capitol Hill Village worked to raise residents' awareness of the local transportation offerings. The nonprofit offered social events and educational programming to teach more than 100 residents how to get around without driving. The trainings covered pedestrian safety and provided older adults with in-depth information on transportation services, including the Metrorail system, Capital Bikeshare and local paratransit service. Project organizers say participants increased their knowledge of and confidence using local transportation options.

ABOUT THE AARP COMMUNITY CHALLENGE

Launched in 2017, the annual AARP Community Challenge provides small grants to local governments and nonprofits in order to fund quick-action, ready-to-implement projects that can help communities become more livable for people of all ages.

See all nearby projects

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AARP District of Columbia State Office

100 M Street SE
Suite 650
Washington, DC 20003
United States

Phone: 202-434-7700
Fax: 202-434-7710
Email: [email protected]