Vancouver, WA – The Clark County Commission on Aging is focusing this year on housing, especially for people 50 and older. Research reveals that 87 percent of people prefer to retire in place and will need accessible, affordable housing. Whether housing is a multi- or single-family dwelling or in an urban, suburban or rural area, most homes will need to be retrofitted or remodeled for people’s changing needs. For some people, building a new home tailored to their evolving needs is an option.

Given this reality, the commission is dedicating the next 11 monthly meetings to different aspects of housing. Meetings are at 4:30 p.m. on the third Tuesday of each month in the sixth-floor hearing room of the Public Service Center, 1300 Franklin St.

The commission invited an expert to provide insight on each specific topic. Members will then discuss the topic and answer questions from the audience.

Here is a schedule of the 2016 topics:

• Feb. 16: What options are needed for the increasing number of people reaching 50?
• March 15: What does aging-in-place mean? How can it be achieved?
• April 19: What housing options would best serve young and old alike?
• May 17: Simple design choices that help people age-in-place and within their budgets.
• June 21: Commission members make a presentation to Clark County councilors, sharing information gleaned from meetings and from the perspectives of the experts and public.
• July 19: What financing options are available for remodeling, retrofitting or building a new home?
• Aug. 16: Smaller or larger: What to consider when contemplating a move.
• Sept. 20: Guidelines when choosing a contractor for a remodel or new home construction.
• Oct. 18: Constraints of remodeling or retrofitting a home in public housing.
• Nov. 15: What technologies exist to support aging-in-place?
• Dec. 20: How can the commission share and use information learned this year?

The Commission on Aging, supported by the Board of County Councilors, is a nine-member volunteer group that provides leadership in addressing needs of the aging population through management and implementation of the Aging Readiness Plan.

For more information about the commission and/or working on one of its committees, please visit the county website at www.clark.wa.gov/aging.

 

CONTACT
Colete Anderson
Community Planning
(360) 397-2280 ext. 4516
colete.anderson@clark.wa.gov