Older adults generally want to remain in their familiar home and neighborhood environments. Creating livable communities successfully allows people to age in place. And the same principles that make a community “livable” for older adults benefit everyone.
Livable communities are attractive to all ages. Livable communities features are also likely to attract residents from across the lifespan, including professionals needed to support aging in place and in community. These features include broad housing and transportation options in higher-density, vibrant areas with public amenities and lively commercial districts.
Livable communities create economic value. Livable communities have been associated with increases in home values, higher property and sales tax revenues, savings on service delivery and infrastructure costs, growth in business revenues and development opportunities, and decreased individual transportation costs.
Livable communities promote health. Community conditions can impact physical activity levels, food access, air quality, and social cohesion. Livable communities increase opportunities for every resident to make healthy choices.
Livable communities drive environmentally responsible development. Increasing density and broadening the array of viable transportation options reduces natural resource consumption and pollution, and creating smaller energy-efficient housing is an important part of climate change strategy.
Commission on Women, Children and Seniors 