Tag Archives for AARP Rhode Island

AARP and RISD showcase ADU concepts and designs on Smith Hill

Published in RINewsToday on January 29, 2024

During a 45-minute press conference held Thursday in the Library of the Rhode Island State House, AARP Rhode Island and Rhode Island School of Design (RISD) showcased a RISD student design competition displaying Accessory Dwelling Unit (ADU) designs created by 10 RISD student teams, consisting of 10 students per team.

The ADU concepts were developed following a prompt that RISD and AARP RI posed to Interior Architecture students in November, challenging them to develop creative ADU concepts that would illustrate the range of benefits this housing option can offer for people to age in place at home. Unveiling these ADU concepts at the Jan 25th press conference just one hour before a scheduled hearing of the House Committee on Municipal Government that would hear seven bills related to zoning standards for ADUs was just a coincidence, says AARP Rhode Island State Director Catherine Taylor, noting that the design project began over one year ago.   

One of the scheduled bills, H 7062, reintroduced by Rep. June S. Speakman (District 68, Bristol/Warren), chairwoman of the House Commission on Housing Affordability and strongly supported by House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi (District 23, Warwick), would boost the state’s housing production by helping boost housing production by helping Rhode Islanders to develop ADUs on their property. It would provide homeowners the right to develop an ADU within the existing footprint of their structures or on any lot larger than 20,000 square feet, provided that the design satisfies building code, size limits and infrastructure requirements.

Lawmakers, state officials, municipal planners, affordable housing advocates, members of the AARP Red Rhode Island Team, and aging advocates, gathered in the packed library room to view the well-considered designs unveiled at the press conference. At the conclusion of the event, it was announced that Team Seven’s design concept was selected by a panel of judges.

Advocating for ADU-friendly state zoning laws

“You see here today some truly innovative ADU concepts,” said AARP Rhode Island’s Catherine Taylor, who served as the press conference’s master of ceremonies. “The RISD Interior Architecture students have earned our admiration for both their creativity and their clear understanding of the housing needs of older adults, she said, thanking RISD faculty members – led by Wolfgang Max Rudorf and Elizabeth Debs – who embraced this project.     

“People thinking of downsizing, hoping to be near families and caregivers, or wanting to stay in a familiar community as they grow older, are very interested in ADUs as flexible and affordable housing options,” said Taylor.

“The inspiring work by these talented RISD students will help raise awareness of the many ways ADUs can be designed to meet the needs of older Rhode Islanders and their families,” adds Taylor. “We’re delighted to display these exciting designs at the State House so that lawmakers and their constituents can see for themselves why ADUs make so much sense.”

House Speaker Shekarchi noted that the design proposals were a great way to leverage some of the incredible talent in Rhode Island to find creative solutions to one of the state’s biggest challenges, its housing crisis. “The competition also raises the dialogue – it gets people talking about ADUs, how they can add to our community, and how they can be functional and created,” says Shekarchi.

Looking back, Shekarchi told the packed room that the House passed legislation to make it easier for homeowners to add an ADU to their home. “Unfortunately, it did not pass the Senate, but I’m hopeful we can get it over the finish line this year,” he pledged.

Senator Megan E. Kallman (District 15, Pawtucket, Providence), who sponsored ADU legislation in the lower chamber last year, came to the press conference to “check out some amazing student generated ADU design concepts,” calling ADUs the absolute game changers. “Their benefits extend to all corners of our communities… and people of all ages, from all walks of life.”

Senator Victoria Gu (District 38, Westerly, Charlestown and South Kingston), who is expected to introduce H 7062’s companion measure in the Senate attended the press conference, identifying ADUs as a key component of housing supply. “When you look across the country, ADUs will get people housed in the short term because they are faster to construct or renovate when compared to new construction. We need that solution here now more than ever,” she said.

Like the other speakers, Rep. Speakman observed that “ADUs is an easy idea to run with,” taking allocating her time at the podium to thank and address the RISD students who participated in this project. “Architects often tell me that form follows function. We told you what the function is and you have given us beautiful form.  This helps us to make our case for ADUs to those who are unfamiliar with the form.  They can take a look at your work to see how they can beautifully fit into neighborhoods into yards, notes Speakman, a political science professor who teaches at Roger Williams University.

Marianne Kelly, a legislative advocacy volunteer for AARP who has lived in a few ADUs over the years, sees this housing option as a creative solution to address a housing shortage that disproportionately impacts seniors. “Utilizing existing space to create alternate solutions just makes sense,” she told the attendees.

“In the Interior Architecture department at RISD, we look for opportunities to use design as a way to explore pressing community needs with collaborators who are experts in their fields,” noted faculty member Elizabeth Debs. “AARP has been stellar to work with – in only a few days, students quickly learned important strategies for aging in place, as well as universal design approaches they will be able to use throughout their careers.,” she says.

According to Debs, the sophisticated and nuanced proposals showed an understanding of designing for a range of populations and abilities, and created sensitive, barrier-free designs that focused on well-being. “The students really absorbed the important issues presented by AARP and demonstrated empathy for the different populations that need ADUs through the designs,” she said.

ADU Contest Criteria

RISD Interior Architecture faculty encouraged student teams to create designs with an overall goal of thoughtfully increasing the production of ADUs that support aging in place. Criteria included:

Siting Consider the relationship to primary structure and neighboring lots through design to enhance privacy and a balance between independence, safety, and support. When siting the structure consider paths of access, solar orientation, view lines, impact to the site/landscape, and access to vehicles.

Diverse family and household types Accommodate the needs of older adults, disabled persons, caregivers, and renters.

Age-Friendly Design for aging-in-place by incorporating age-friendly features. The size and use of these dwellings will require that they be single story, and reachable via a graded entry. Proposals should include universal design features and be adaptable over time.

Affordability Encourage designs that are lower cost to construct and maintain to make them financially accessible to households with the widest possible range of incomes.

Sustainability Plan for long term environmental impacts, including initial construction, life cycle considerations, material selection, energy and resource conservation etc.

Innovative construction methods Support new construction and delivery methods, such as panelized, modular, or prefabricated homes.

At a minimum, the ADU designs were expected to include facilities for food preparation and eating, bathing and toileting, sleeping, recreation, storage, utilities, and outdoor use. The building size may vary from a minimum of 350 are feet to a maximum of 900 square feet.

“The AARP Livability Index shows that all communities have room to improve to ensure that residents of all ages are active, engaged, and supported, particularly when it comes to affordable housing options,” said Rodney Harrell, PhD, AARP Vice President of Family, Home, and Community. “Everyone has a role to play – from community members to researchers, to local advocates and policymakers – to help fill the gaps between what people want and need and what their communities provide, so more older adults can live independently.”

“We must reframe how we think about housing as we grow older, and ADUs are part of the equation,” added Taylor. “Aging in community is possible if homes can be modified to accommodate changing needs. Our cities and towns must have housing options that are suitable for differing incomes, ages and life stages. ADUs are one way to accomplish this goal.”

To watch the press conference, go to: https://capitoltvri.cablecast.tv/show/162?site=1.

 

ADUs at RI State House: See RISD designs of Accessory Dwelling Units. Hearing to follow.

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The RI Budget proposal, as seen by our fastest growing demographic, Seniors

Published in RINewsToday on January 22, 2024

This Tuesday, Jan. 16th, Governor Dan McKee officially kicked off the legislative debate on the state’s $13.68 billion FY 2025 Budget in his 48 minute (4,481 word) State of the State address that laid out his spending priorities.  

Over the next six months the General Assembly will hold hearings on the proposed budget blueprint, rewriting it considering state revenues identified during the May Revenue and Caseload Estimating Conferences, and priorities of the legislature.

With passage by the House and Senate and signed into law by McKee, the final FY 2025 Budget will take effect July 1. 

Governor McKee’s budget proposal, which came 2 days after the State of the State, makes funding investments in education, small business, and Rhode Island’s health care system without raising any broad-based taxes. FY 2025 Budget specifics can be found in an article published by RINewsToday on Friday, Jan. 19th – HERE.

With the official release of McKee’s 2025 budget proposal on Thursday afternoon, Jan. 18, his statement along with comments from the top House and Senate legislative leaders were quickly issued.

“The Team Rhode Island budget that I’m sending to the General Assembly today prioritizes programs and initiatives that will help raise the incomes of our fellow Rhode Islanders,” said McKee. 

“By using available resources in targeted and strategic manner, we will continue to make progress on our RI 2030 goals while putting Rhode Islanders to work in good-paying jobs on projects that will pay dividends for decades to come,” he adds.

Legislative leadership

“Over the next several months, Chairman Lou DiPalma and the Senate Finance Committee will conduct a rigorous review of all aspects of the proposed budget through their public hearing process. At this early stage, I am pleased that the budget proposal reflects some of the Senate’s top priorities, including moving our state towards universal public pre-kindergarten, increasing funding for multi-language learners, increasing access to no-cost meals for students, fully funding recommended reimbursement levels for Early Intervention and increasing Medicaid rates,” says President of the Senate Dominick J. Ruggerio.  

“Now that Governor McKee has submitted the budget, our robust review process will begin. Chairman Marvin Abney and the House Finance Committee will soon commence the public hearing process and we look forward to working collaboratively with the Senate and Governor McKee over the next several months. With the federal pandemic funds having been allocated, we must live within our means and carefully scrutinize all spending requests,” says House Speaker K. Joseph Shekarchi.  “The Senate will continue working with all partners and stakeholders to adopt a budget that meets the needs of all Rhode Islanders.” adds the Senate President.

 Aging Groups and Advocates share thoughts

“It was good to see attention to older adults’ financial security by the proposal to increase the amount of pension income that can be exempted from state income taxes which would bring an estimated $500 benefit to about 10,000 persons,” says Maureen Maigret, The Senior Agenda Coalition’s policy advisor and former Director of the RI Department of Elderly Affairs.

“The Governor is looking for ways to increase Rhode Islanders’ incomes and the Senior Agenda Coalition has been working with several partners on a legislative proposal that would save $2,000 a year for many thousands of lower-income older persons and persons on disabilities on Medicare by having the federal government pay the cost of their Part B premiums,” she says, noting that this policy would not only save seniors money they can use for basic living expenses, but would bring millions of dollars into the state economy. It would also make them eligible for a federal program that helps pay for prescription drugs.

“We hope the $10 million in proposed bridge funding for nursing homes will help them to continue to provide necessary services for their vulnerable populations and avoid more closures which are so traumatic for residents,” says Maigret. 

“Although welcome, we had been hoping for more than the modest increase of $200,000 for senior centers as it gets distributed across around 40 senior centers. We know our older population is growing and our senior centers help hundreds of older adults stay healthy and connected to their communities,” adds Maigret.

“With many older adults waiting three months or more to get home care services and the home care worker shortage continuing it is disappointing to see the reimbursement increases recommended by the Social and Human Service Rate Review Study spread out over three years especially when the Executive Office of Health and Human Services had recommended funding the recommended increases over two years. And home care is not only what persons say they prefer but it costs far less to state government than institutional care,” notes Maigret.

“AARP Rhode Island applauds the Governor’s goal of increasing financial security for all Rhode Islanders,” said AARP Rhode Island State Director Catherine Taylor in a statement released days before the release of McKee’s budget blueprint. “Everyone should be able to choose how they live as they age,” she says.

AARP Rhode Island calls on the General Assembly to pass three pieces of legislation that would help to ensure financial security for all. AARP Rhode Island is pushing lawmakers to give all Rhode Islanders access to a retirement savings vehicle. We are pleased that Governor McKee called for the passage of the Secure Choice program, which would provide an optional, voluntary Roth-IRA plan to the 172,000 Rhode Island employees who do not have access to a plan through their employer,” says Taylor.

“The state must stop taxing Social Security benefits,” says Taylor. “We are one of 9 states that still tax these benefits. We encourage legislators to keep more money in the pockets of older Rhode Islanders by eliminating the state tax on Social Security,” she says.

“Lastly, we must reframe how we think about housing as we grow older, and Accessible Dwelling Units (ADUs) are part of the equation,” adds Taylor, urging the General Assembly to pass legislation providing housing options that are suitable for differing incomes, ages, and life stages. “ADUs are one way to accomplish this goal,” she notes.

This budget is an important step forward in helping our industry, says James Nyberg, president, and CEO of LeadingAge Rhode Island, a nonprofit representing providers across the long-term care spectrum from nursing facilities to home and community-based providers. “We appreciate Governor McKee and his staff recognizing our concerns and providing an infusion of funds across multiple settings to support older Rhode Islanders wherever they call home, their families, and our dedicated workforce,” he adds.  This includes the $10 million in stopgap funds to help nursing homes in critical financial distress as they await their permanent rate adjustment effective October 1. 

According to Nyberg, the October adjustment also included in the budget is expected to provide over $60 million in funding to help nursing homes address workforce challenges, the dramatically increased costs of operating their business, and remain financially viable. “We cannot lose any more nursing homes and hopefully this budget will help mitigate that well-documented threat,” he says.  

Similarly, the budget includes the phase-in of rate increases for assisted living residences and adult day providers, per the OHIC recommendations, to support these providers, consumers, workers, and families,” says Nyberg. “We also hope the proposed housing bond will help address the shortage of safe and affordable housing for seniors, the lack of which was highlighted in the Long Term Care Coordinating Council’s recent report entitled “Meeting the Housing Needs of Rhode Island’s Older Adults and Individuals with Chronic Disabilities and Illnesses,”  he adds.

“While there are financial and other challenges that persist, we look forward to working with the Administration and the General Assembly to advance these and any other initiatives to support our long-term care providers, those for whom they care, and their workforce,” says the nonprofit executive director. 

Governor’s budget doesn’t adequately address Seniors’ needs

While aging groups recognize Gov. McKee’s funding provisions that will benefit older Rhode Islanders, one aging advocate calls on the House Finance Committee to beef up funding for seniors in its budget.

“Once again, the senior population of Rhode Island is the fastest growing demographic in the state, and the most neglected,” charges Susan Sweet, former state associate director of the Department of Elderly Affairs and an advocate for seniors facing hardships and low-income difficulties. “The Governor McKee Budget provides no relief for seniors in the proposed 2025 spending plan other than a small gift to nursing homes that may help that senior care industry and a small increase of $200,000 statewide for dividing up among R.I. Senior Centers,” she says.

According to Sweet, seniors receive nothing in the budget other than a proposed tax reduction of “pension and annuity income” to begin in calendar year 2025.  In other words, nothing for this year.  She notes that the current exemption would be raised from $20,000 to $50,000 while the state remains currently only 9 of 50 states that tax Social Security and a minority of states that tax retirement pensions.

“There is also not one cent for retirees who had their pensions frozen in 2011 and have been stripped of their contracted pension benefits of a Cost of Living Adjustment (COLA) each year which they were required to sign and to contribute to from their pay each year of employment,” she says.

“Just down the road in our neighboring state of Massachusetts, there is no state income tax for Social Security or pensions. Their proposed budget includes a new $2,400 per senior payout for housing assistance, rental, or ownership costs,” says Sweet. During the State of the Commonwealth speech just one day after RI Governor McKee touted his Team RI game plan, a representative of the (Massachusetts) Senior Action advocacy group was invited and recognized as a leading voice in enabling seniors to stay in their homes with cash assistance from the state, she noted.

As the founder of the R.I. Minority Elder Task Force which provides financial assistance to poor RI elders in dire circumstances, Sweet regularly sees the neglect of seniors without adequate resources for the basic needs of life. “This is not a senior-friendly state, and this is not a senior friendly budget,” she states. 

Expect aging groups and advocates to gear up to push for their senior legislative priorities in the upcoming months. The budget debate now begins.

To listen to Gov. McKee’s State of the State Address on the FY 2025 Budget, go HERE. 

Details of Gov. McKee’s FY 2025 Budget. Go HERE.

To read Gov. McKee’s FY 2025 budget proposal (H 7225), go HERE.  

AARP helping RI communities become more livable with Challenge Grants

Published in RINewsToday on July 31, 2023

One might say that the Washington, DC-based AARP puts its money where its mouth is. The nation’s largest aging advocacy group recently announced that it is investing $3.6 million in 310 Community Challenge grants for quick-action projects to help these communities become more livable. AARP says its grants will improve public places; transportation; housing; digital connections; diversity, equity and inclusion; and more, with an emphasis on the needs of adults aged 50 and older.

AARP defines a livable community is one that is safe and secure, and it offers choices in where to live and how to get around. A livable community enhances a person’s independence and allows residents to age in place. It also provides a variety of opportunities for its residents of all ages, abilities, and backgrounds to participate in the community’s civic, economic, and social life.

And, a livable community also equitably serves residents of all ages, ability levels, incomes, races, ethnicities, and other backgrounds. 

“These grants continue to lead to long-term, positive changes in communities across the country,” said Nancy LeaMond, AARP Executive Vice President and Chief Advocacy & Engagement Officer in a June 28 statement announcing the grant recipients funded in all 50 states, Washington, DC, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands.  

“This year, we are proud to support the largest number of projects in the program’s seven-year history, which will improve residents’ quality of life through tangible changes so everyone can thrive as they age,” says LeaMond.

AARP Community Challenge accepted applications across three different grant opportunities, including existing flagship grants in addition to new capacity-building microgrants for improving walkability and community gardens. New demonstration grants will focus on improving transportation systems, with funding support provided by Toyota Motor North America, and housing choice design competitions. 

True to the programs “quick action” nature, these projects MUST be completed by Nov. 30, 2023.

AARP’s newest funded recipients

“AARP Rhode Island is committed to working with local leaders to improve residents’ quality of life through tangible changes,” said AARP Rhode Island State Director Catherine Taylor. “We are proud to collaborate with this year’s grantees as they make immediate improvements in their communities to jumpstart long-term change, especially for Rhode Islanders 50 and over.”

“We are so excited to team up with AARP and city leaders to host a series of six free neighborhood walking tours focused on pedestrian safety and accessibility for all,” said one of this year’s grant recipients, Liza Burkin, lead organizer of the Providence Streets Coalition. “’Walk, Talk n’ Chalk’ will bring Providence residents over age 50 together with local street safety advocates, their Ward Councilor, and city employees who specialize in foot travel for a tour of the neighborhood, she says.

 “Each tour will use sidewalk chalk to foster conversation and capture needed changes to the built environment that will facilitate safe walking and rolling to neighborhood destinations,” she says.

“I am extremely excited and honored to have received the AARP Grant,” says Jack Lenz, Director of Development at the Providence-based West End Community Center, Inc.  Lenz was pleasantly surprised that his application was one of 311 chosen from 3,600 submitted.

Lenz noted that this was the first funded AARP grant, chocking it off to “beginner’s luck” because he is new to fundraising. 

According to Lenz, The West End Community Center run’s one of the largest food pantries in Providence. “We see many people struggling with food insecurity as well as access to fresh produce and transportation every day,” he said, noting that this “revolutionary method of growing vegetables was particularly effective for areas with of contaminated soil. “Growing vegetables directly out of the straw bales makes growing vegetables safer,” he says.

Lenz plans to seek out other grant opportunities to continue funding this gardening initiative to make it permanent and to expand it.

“The Mount Hope Community Center is very appreciative for being selected to receive AARP’s Flagship Grant, and we are looking forward to providing our Senior group with vital computer literacy workshops,” says Helen Baskerville-Dukes, executive director of the Mount Hope Community Center.  In working with our senior group, the need for computer literacy came up in their weekly meetings, she said.  

According to Baskerville-Dukes, it is the first time she has applied for an AARP grant.  With this program up and running, she plans on continuing to seek new grant funding to continuing to offer this impactful initiative.

Since the program’s debut in 2017, AARP has awarded $12.7 million through more than 1,060 grants in nearly 700 communities reaching 100 million people. The projects have been completed across all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, says AARP’s website. During this time AARP with AARP Rhode Island have awarded 17 grants and some $203,522 through the program to nonprofit organizations and government entities across the state.

According to AARP Rhode Island’s website, Rhode Island’s newest grant funded recipients were:

Providence Streets Coalition (PVD Streets). “Walk, Talk & Chalk” will bring people over age 50 and civic leaders together to sketch out – literally – the plan for improving safety, mobility, and access for people of all ages and abilities in Providence. The Providence-based PVD Streets, using AARP’s Walk Audit Toolkit, will organize six walk audit assessments throughout the Capitol City. The goal is to bring aged 50 and over residents to walk with city planners, elected leaders, and neighborhood organizers.

Mount Hope Community Center (MHCC). AARP’s grant funding will allow The Providence-based Mount Hope Community Center to host a weekly seniors’ group that has expressed interest in accessing computers to help them stay connected with family and friends, access online resources, and learn new skills. This grant funding will allow MHCC to purchase laptops and create a more modern computer lab for its members. This project will provide access to technology and trainings to improve our seniors’ quality of life, reduce feelings of isolation, and promote independence and engagement.

Bike Newport. The New Port-based bicycle advocacy organization’s project, “Cycling Without Age Ride,” provides a powerful opportunity for pilots and participants to connect in conversation with each other. Bike Newport will target two principal populations: Disabled veterans of all ages and senior veterans. Bike Newport will collaborate with the Rhode Island Chapter of Disabled American Veterans (DAV) and the Rhode Island Veterans Home Community Living Center in Bristol, RI, to bring the participants together by scheduling ride outings utilizing an electric-assist trishaw called “The Chat”. This project will counteract isolation and provide outdoor adventure and camaraderie for the participating people 50-and over and disabled veterans through piloted rides, with trained volunteer pilots.

West End Community Center. This project will distribute 200 straw bales to participating community members and demonstrate how simple safe and cost effective it can be to grow their own vegetables using this revolutionary urban agricultural method. Last summer the Providence-based organization built a straw bale garden consisting of 10 bales next to its parking lot where gardening brought people coming together in to grow vegetables to share with the community.

Taking a Look at Last Year’s AARP Grant Recipients  

Last year, AARP targeted $ 44,852 to fund four Rhode Island projects located in Central Falls, Woonsocket and Providence.   

Groundwork Rhode Island and its community partners received $ 14,000 to convert an underutilized green space in Central Falls for use by residents of all ages to enjoy, by installing seating and tables for dominos and chess.

The $10,278 grant that the Downtown Woonsocket Collaborative received transformed the outside location of the Aging Well senior center into a safe, inviting space for outdoor exercise as well as creating a gathering place for Woonsocket’s age 55 and over community. 

The Providence Streets Coalition’s $12,574 grant allowed the bicycle advocacy group (for a week) to transform a parking lane into a temporary urban bike lane.

Finally, the Southside Community Land Trust used its $8,000 grant to allow its youth staff to continue its work on beautifying outdoor spaces to cultivate herbs and vegetables for seniors in Providence to enjoy.  They also will collaborate with an artist to create a cookbook that preserves senior’s traditional recipes and stories. 

Rhode Island’s 39 Cities and Towns might glean ideas to enhance their communities for older residents by looking at the “best practices” listing of AARP Challenge Grants funded over the past two years.

For more details about AARP’s Livable Community Initiative, email livable@aarp.org.

View the full list of 2023 grantees and their project descriptions at aarp.org/communitychallenge and learn more about AARP’s livable communities work at aarp.org/livable.

View the full list of 2022 grantees and their project descriptions at 

https://states.aarp.org/rhode-island/congratulations-2022-community-challenge-grantees