Communities for a Lifetime Initiative Jess Luce Dakota County Public Health

Dakota County: an aging County In 2010, 39,816 people were age 65 and older From 2010 to 2020, the number of people age 65 and older in Dakota County is projected to nearly double From 2010 to 2030, the number of people age 65 and older in Dakota County is projected by the Minnesota Department of Human Services to more than triple

Population Data by City (2010) Apple Valley: 65+ at 9.6% Boomers 23.3% Eagan: 65+ at 7.6%Boomers 23.2% Mendota Heights: 65+ at 17.7% Boomers 29.7% West St. Paul: 65+ at 17.0%Boomers 21.0% Dakota County: 65+ at 10.1%Boomers 21.2% MN: 65+ at 12.0% Boomers 21.0% *Boomers grouped (currently age 49-67; born )

CDA: Senior Housing To date, the CDA has constructed 26 senior housing developments (1,543 units) located throughout Dakota C. Senior Housing Program; created in 1989 to locally finance the construction of affordable housing for seniors Independent living for 55+; income guidelines; preference to those who live, work or have family living in Dakota C.

Communities for a Lifetime Initiative Was ‘Living Longer & Stronger in Dakota County’ Raise awareness of demographics changes, CFL concepts Encouraging CFL planning efforts Strengthening/creating CFL workgroups Holding Community Conversations; asset mapping; strategic planning (West St. Paul, Mendota Heights)

County/City Engagement Some examples of how Dakota County and cities/communities can work together on housing and other physical infrastructures Hastings Boomer Survey Homes for a Lifetime Video Project Neighborhood Networks

Hastings Boomer Survey Hastings Boomer Advisory Council Input from Boomers to guide future planning Mailed postcard to 2,885 Boomers and other outreach; 200 surveys were completed; 7% response rate Affirming what we know about Boomers… Model survey for other cities

Homes for a Lifetime Video Project Provide info. to help older adults live independently through simple, cost-effective home modification 24 min. video; conversation about AIP, home modification, 10 Simple UD tips Partnership between CFL Initiative, Access Solutions, MAAA, City of Burnsville

Aging in Place/in Community: Neighborhood Networks Organizing neighborhood networks of community involvement (a simple structure) Survey ways people want to connect, share, support one another Neighborhoods define boundary-one block! Use existing networks-associations; seeking pilot neighborhoods Needs small stipend for part-time neighborhood coordinator

Contact info. Dakota County Communities for a Lifetime Initiative Jess Luce