Take This Opportunity To Guide Austin’s Future
Austin is unique. It’s creative and outdoorsy. It’s fascinating and quirky. It’s musical and historic. It’s a hub for artful food, vintage fashion, craft breweries, technology enterprises and festivals galore.
Home to state government, the University of Texas and so much more, Austin surprises by going far beyond its reputation for breakfast tacos, honky tonk bars, “Keep it Weird” and “Live Music Capital of the World” monikers. It’s one of the fastest growing metropolitan areas of the world and the 11th largest city in the United States.
While it enjoys a reputation of being young and hip, it’s lesser known that Austin is a major destination for older people. It’s estimated that by 2040, people over the age of 65 will be one of every five people in Texas, and Austin is setting the course for the state. The Austin-Round Rock Metropolitan Area is home to the second-fastest growing population of adults age 65 and older in the country, and it has the fastest growing population of adults between 55 and 64 years old.
With these dynamics, changes and growth are inevitable. At AARP Texas, we are proud to work with volunteers, community partners and leaders at the City of Austin toward making Austin an even more age-friendly community.
We realize that there’s more to be done. Which is why your input is needed.
Jessica Lemann leads AARP’s community outreach work in Central Texas. She says recent years’ achievements in Austin include the development of an Age-Friendly Action Plan, Austin’s hiring of an age-friendly coordinator, and a growing understanding around what it takes to make this a more livable community for all people regardless of age.
“As I see it,” Lemann says, “a livable community is one that is safe and secure, has affordable and appropriate housing and transportation options, and offers supportive community features and services. When in place, these resources enhance personal independence, allow residents to remain in their homes and communities as they age, and foster residents’ engagement in the community’s civic, economic and social life.”
Austin is making great progress. But now, through this survey provided by the City of Austin, you can help community leaders by sharing your concerns and opinions.
In this 10- to 15-minute survey, city leaders are particularly interested in the opinions of older adults who reside in Austin. They intend to bring the feedback they receive to the city’s Commission on Seniors and the Austin City Council as they prepare the city’s upcoming budget. There’s also an opportunity at the end of the survey to give additional comments to Austin officials.
So, this is your chance to have a say by giving a little guidance on what’s needed for Austin in the 2020s and beyond.
