AARP\u2019s definition of livability means a community is:<\/p>\n \u201c<\/b>convenient to travel by foot, bike, or transit to access nearby stores, parks, and other amenities. For others, affordable housing or open space is more important. Because people look for different things when searching for a satisfying place to call home, measuring the livability of cities and towns across the United States can be challenging. This Index gives higher scores to communities with diverse features that help people of all ages, incomes, and abilities\u2014not just older Americans. Livability is about realizing values that are central to healthy communities: independence, choice, and security. Livable communities help residents thrive, and when residents thrive, communities prosper.\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>\n The \u00a0AARP Livability Index measures across 40\u00a0metrics and 20 policies, many of them regional and state focused, including:<\/p>\n The AARP Livability Index scores Ferndale at 51<\/a> out of 100.<\/p>\n Only 51 out of 100? \u00a0Ferndale is more livable than this score suggests, I said to myself.<\/p>\n By what criteria do they measure a community? What does the Livability Index tell us about Ferndale or communities within the Metro Detroit region? \u00a0What can we learn from evaluations and policy assessments like these?<\/p>\n As a local elected community leader, it is one of my responsibilities to ensure the community is strategically adapting to change and progressively moving forward. It means making Ferndale a more equitable community that meets the needs of people of regardless of age, income, physical ability, and race–all key tenants of the AARP Livability Index.<\/p>\n AARP states by 2040 one in five adults in the US will be 65 or older. Locally, SEMCOG<\/a> predicts Ferndale\u2019s population aged 65 and older will grow by approximately 101% by the year 2040. Conversely, Ferndale\u2019s population aged 25-59 will decrease by 16% by 2040, the young professionals and families demographic.<\/p>\n Essentially, Ferndale needs to strategically address these demographic shifts now. According to AARP\u2019s Livability Index, Ferndale is well on its way, but has more to do.<\/p>\n How does Ferndale measure up\u00a0with the Livability Index?<\/b><\/p>\n The Livability Index is government and policy focused and uses national and county data sources to set its evaluation criteria that\u00a0drive scoring. Many categories use state or national data sources, and the only way to increase a community score in some categories necessitates the state or region to take action.<\/p>\n For example, Ferndale scored lowest in the Environment (clean air and water), Housing (affordable and access), Engagement (civic and social involvement) and the lowest score was Opportunity (inclusion and involvement).<\/p>\n Ferndale\u2019s lower Environmental score is based on regional air quality, drinking water quality and near-roadway pollution (highways and wide streets like 8 Mile road). Increasing Ferndale\u2019s score in this area necessitates a regional approach to improving air quality, and AARP says our score will increase if the State of Michigan passes a state policy that supports energy-efficient buildings, facilities, and appliances. Not sure that will happen anytime soon.<\/p>\n Housing is an interesting category, mostly driven by state wide policy changes like manufactured housing protections, foreclosure prevention and protection, and housing affordability. There are actions that local municipalities can take, and one area Ferndale definitely needs to concentrate on increasing: the availability of multi-family housing. According to AARP, livable communities offer housing for any situation, which is why the Index measures the percentage of housing units in a community that are not single-family, detached homes.<\/p>\n The lowest scoring area, Opportunity, has metrics on income inequality, jobs per worker and age diversity (multi-generational communities) and most policy fixes are statewide like a statewide minimum wage increase, state expansion of the family medical leave act, and a local, regional and state policy supporting AARP Network of Age-Friendly Communities.<\/p>\n Ferndale Making Progress<\/b><\/p>\n In my opinion, what the public more easily relates to and the local government have more control to address is AARP\u2019s summary on what amenities older adults want in their community:<\/p>\n Now let\u2019s take a look at AARP\u2019s summary of what older adults want in their communities and compare to Ferndale.<\/p>\n I<\/b><\/b>ncreased Police Presence:<\/strong> Ferndale\u2019s crime rates are the lowest since 1960, with crimes in every category down 50% since 2009. \u00a0(Mayor Coulter State of City Address. April 9. 2015). Community policing is essential to safety and the police department is focused on making stronger connections to the community.<\/p>\n Improved Schools: \u00a0<\/b><\/b>The Ferndale Public Schools District completed its Strategic Plan <\/a>in 2014 with a focus on improving quality and equality of education for all students. \u00a0Kids can get a great education in Ferndale and with the school restructuring underway, achieving the vision in the strategic plan will ultimately improve the schools. \u00a0<\/b>This is a work in progress.<\/p>\n Pedestrian Friendly Community:<\/b> \u00a0Ferndale has a plan to \u201cright size\u201d all its streets. In 2014, the city completed a community supported non-motorized plan called Ferndale Moves<\/a> to improve safety for people who walk and\u00a0ride bikes. I like to think we are dignifying our streets and sidewalks for the pedestrian.<\/p>\n![\"age](\"http:\/\/www.meltropolis.com\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2015\/07\/age-friendly-225x300.jpg\")
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Getting Older and Less Young<\/h2>\n
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