Spring 2013 - 62620 - PA680PB - Policy Research Project

Housing, Income & Health: Strategies for the Central Texas' Aging Population

According to a recent report by the Brookings Institution, the Austin-Round Rock area has the third- fastest growing population in the nation of people aged 65 and over. And, Austin is home to the country’s number 1 fastest-growing population of people between ages 55 to 65. The senior population will soon expand dramatically.
Seniors face big challenges, including limited fixed incomes, safe and affordable housing, transportation, and health ailments. A survey by the St. David’s Foundation found that 86% of older adults in Central Texas have a chronic disease, and 63% have multiple chronic conditions. Additionally, many seniors are living in substandard housing conditions.
The students in this PRP will:

Develop a broad understanding of the specific challenges for seniors.

Explore how the aging population will impact the community at large.

Compile a current picture of services and identify areas of acute need in

housing, poverty alleviation, transportation and health.

Research best practice programs from around the country/world for serving

aging populations.

Develop recommendations for the City and service providers that utilize a

collaborative approach to planning for services in region

The client for this PRP is the Mayor's Taskforce on Aging.  Ms. Weisz is an LBJ School grad who is the founding partner of the City Lights Group, a strategy firm that focuses on public interest projects by helping nonprofit and for-profit entitites develop strategic plans.  Before founding City Lights, she was the executive director of the PeopleFund.