Age-Friendly Austin, Renewed Commitment and Community Progress

Jim Burger

Progress Through Challenge
In the wake of the pandemic, Winter Storm Uri and recent natural disasters, Austin’s Age-Friendly Action Plan has evolved to address both immediate needs and long-term livability goals for residents 50plus. Since joining the AARP Network of Age-Friendly States and Communities in 2015, the City has made steady progress — with a renewed push in 2025 to deepen its commitment.

2021 Progress Report: A Post-COVID Reset
The most recent formal update to the plan came in 2021, incorporating lessons from the pandemic and February 2021’s winter storm. The report showed:

• 29% of strategies completed 
• 61% in progress 
• 9% under reevaluation 

Achievements included funding for multiple affordable senior housing projects, expanded Parks & Recreation programs for older adults at 23 locations, and long-term device lending through Austin Public Library.

As documented in AARP’s equity case study, the City embedded equity into its age-friendly framework, delivering:

• Multilingual programming at community hubs like the Asian American Resource Center 
• PPE distribution to vulnerable neighborhoods during COVID19 
• Digital literacy workshops and device loans for low-income seniors 

2022 Audit Spurs Action
In October 2022, the City Auditor’s report found that while the plan was ambitious, it lacked performance indicators, assigned departmental responsibilities, and centralized communications.

Following the audit, the City funded a second Age-Friendly staff position in FY 2023 to improve coordination and outreach.

2024–2025: Listening to the Community
In 2024, the Commission on Aging launched a community feedback survey and engaged residents through budget forums to align city spending with age-friendly priorities.

These conversations built momentum toward a landmark resolution passed in June 2025.

June 2025: Council Reaffirms Commitment
On June 5, 2025, the Austin City Council, led by Mayor Pro Tem Vanessa Fuentes, unanimously reaffirmed the City’s dedication to becoming more age-friendly.

“We heard our older residents loud and clear. Age friendliness is not optional — it’s essential,” Fuentes told the Austin Monitor.

The resolution calls for:

• New senior centers in underserved areas 
• Collaboration with Capital Metro for better transportation 
• A fraud prevention initiative for older adults 
• Department level integration of age-friendly goals 
• Annual Council updates starting in March 2026 
• Exploration of in home care reimbursement and older adult internship programs 

The City’s next full plan revision — incorporating metrics, equity measures, and accountability — is due to AARP by July 15, 2026. Until then, implementation will focus on closing gaps identified in the 2022 audit and delivering on 2025’s resolution.

“Austin has the opportunity to become a model for age-friendly cities nationwide,” said AARP Texas Associate State Director of Outreach & Advocacy Jessica Lemann. “That will take sustained effort, transparent measurement, and community partnership.”