At the close of 2010, San Francisco Village (SFV) was proud to be included in recommendations for better aging-in-place, that were prepared by the Budget and Legislative Analyst for the Board of Supervisors of the City and County of San Francisco. The report entitled, “Aging in Place and Community: Housing Assistance and Other Services for Seniors in San Francisco,” presents a several issues and related legislative recommendations with two options that specifically named SFV:

Issue: San Francisco seniors would benefit from increased access to personal support and home modification services that enable independence.

• Legislative Option 1: Subsidize SF Village membership fees and service fees for low-income seniors.

• Legislative Option 2: Provide SF Village or a comparable organization with a subsidy from the City to pay for member outreach to targeted demographics such as low-income and immigrant seniors.

The Board of Supervisors directed the Budget and Legislative Analyst, by motion, to conduct a

review of existing community practices and resources that might enable San Franciscans to safely remain living in their homes or communities. The report specifically details: (a) demographic information about seniors in San Francisco, (b) the number of seniors on affordable housing and public housing waitlists, (c) a review of independent senior living programs and models, and (d) legislative recommendations for incentives to encourage property owners to make residential upgrades that increase accessibility and safety for seniors.

Resonant with the village movement, the San Francisco Human Services Agency’s Department of Aging and Adult Services (DAAS) reveals that the majority of San Francisco’s seniors reside in older, multi-level apartments and houses that are not likely to meet their safety and accessibility, and that subsidizing independent living for many seniors in their existing residences could be a sizeable cost savings over options such as subsidizing new residential development or seniors prematurely moving to residency in assisted living facilities.

Inclusion of SFV in these significant legislative recommendations resulted from SFV’s participation on Supervisor Eric Mar’s Aging in Place Task Force. With this recent validation of SFV from local government, we look forward to continued work with the Task Force and future collaborations with organizations throughout the City to help make San Francisco more aging friendly.

The full report can be viewed on the SF Village website - Aging in Place and Community: Housing Assistance and Other Services for Seniors in San Francisco
(The Executive Summary contains all resulting legislative recommendations, and analysis of the village movement begins on page 25 of the report.)