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An aging friendly Fairfax must address the affordability of housing programs and services to a segment of the population with limited resources.
Currently there are thousands of older adults in Fairfax County living below the 2007 poverty level of $10,210 for one person and $13,690 for two.
But the basic cost of living in our community is much higher than the national estimates. Increases in median household income for Fairfax County householders age 65 and older have not kept pace with younger households. Over half of current older renters and one in five older homeowners spend more than 30 percent of their income on housing.
Older homeowners, living in older homes, frequently are faced with major repair and upkeep expenses, such as new roofs and heating/cooling systems. Older women in Northern Virginia are twice as likely as older men to live alone. Fewer older adults in Fairfax County are expected to have guaranteed pensions. Older adults who have not participated in Social Security or federal employment, often have no safety net.
In addition, the younger women and men providing direct care services for older adults are often priced out of the housing market as well.
Actions
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Expand education on tax relief.
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Investigate and provide consumer information to older adults on the
option of reverse mortgages.
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Promote the needs of older adults, and of direct care workers, in the
county’s thrust to address the need for affordable housing.
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Provide online assessments for older adults to determine basic
eligibility for programs to meet their needs.
- Support the development of private affordable assisted living in Fairfax County.