Government Agency

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.

DC's age-friendly progress report shows an emphasis on safe and affordable housing and transportation and civic participation--specifically as the community reacted to COVID-19. DC has added hundreds of affordable housing units and units specifically designed for grandparents raising grandchildren, reduced fair housing complaints, and created programs to give grants for home modifications. DC has also increased curb ramps, added 40,000 square feet of new or improved sidewalks, and reduced non-compliance with public transit stops. In civic engagement, DC has cut unemployment for older residents, created an age-friendly business program, and added a team of direct service providers for older adults trained in LGBTQ cultural competency. In the wake of COVID-19, DC has also pivoted to virtual engagements, helping older residents learn new, marketable skills, and connecting residents to new income and food sources.