WHO: The New York State Office for the Aging and the Department of State are launching an innovative new project called “Planning and Zoning Initiative: Housing for Older Persons,” which is designed to help communities plan for the housing and community design needs of the State’s older population.
WHAT: New York State Office for the Aging Director Michael J. Burgess and Secretary of State Lorraine Cortés-Vázquez will sponsor the panel discussion which will include over 100 experts in the areas of housing, zoning, planning, universal design, land-use, energy efficiency, and green building development. New York State’s Chief Demographer, Robert Scardamalia, and New York State Director of Smart Growth, Paul Beyer will also make addresses.
• New York has the third largest population of older persons in the nation. The State’s 3.4 million older persons will increase to 4 million by 2015. The primary preference of older people is to ‘age in place’ in their homes and communities for as long as possible during the later years. “Planning and Zoning Initiative: Housing for Older Persons” will help develop technical assistance manuals on several topics, including housing, planning, and zoning guidelines to help local officials, and consumers understand and accommodate the housing and community design needs of their residents, and to allow older persons to stay in their homes and communities of choice.
• New York’s long-term care policies promote the development of multiple strategies and alternatives that will help the State’s older population in ways that are both prudent and successful. However, many communities are unaware of these proven options. “Planning and Zoning Initiative: Housing for Older Persons” will greatly assist communities in making housing and other options available.
WHEN: Thursday, September 4, 2008, at 10am-3pm (Keynote Speakers, 10am)
WHERE: Desmond Hotel and Conference Center, 60 Albany Shaker Road, Albany, NY
CONTACT: Lauren Rivera, New York State Department of State Public Information Officer, (518) 474-4752
Reza Mizbani, New York State Office for the Aging Public Information Officer, (518) 474-7181.
