Item 9: Draft Recommendation — original pdf

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COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Aging Recommendation Number: 20261014-009: Approval and Endorsement of the Austin Age-Friendly Austin Action Plan 2026-2030 WHEREAS, the City of Austin has been recognized as a member of the AARP Age-Friendly network since 20121 and has demonstrated its commitment to making Austin an Age-Friendly community through implementation of the Age-Friendly Austin Action Plans for 2016–2020 and 2021–2025; and WHEREAS, Austin residents between 65 and 74 were the City's fastest-growing age group between 2010 and 2020, increasing by nearly 70 percent, making it increasingly important that the City plan for the needs of its growing older adult population2; and WHEREAS, on June 5, 2025, the Austin City Council adopted Resolution No. 20250605-084, affirming the City's commitment to ensuring that Austin is an Age-Friendly community and improving the quality of life for older adults, directing “all City departments provide services with an age-friendly perspective and that the Age-Friendly Action Plan's goals and strategies are incorporated into how departments fulfill their missions,” directing continued collaboration among the City Manager and Austin Public Health's Age-Friendly Program Coordinator to support implementation of the Action Plan and assess the resources needed to carry out its goals and strategies3; and WHEREAS, the Austin Older Adult Quality of Life Study identified significant challenges and disparities affecting older Austinites, including housing, transportation, health and food insecurity, social isolation, digital access, and access to inclusive and accessible community resources4, and the Austin Age-Friendly Austin Action Plan 2026–2030 includes goals and strategies that respond to many of these findings5; and WHEREAS, the Age-Friendly Austin Action Plan 2026–2030 was developed by Austin Public Health through an extensive engagement process that included the Age-Friendly Austin Summit on February 20, 2026, review of the Austin Older Adult Quality of Life Study, stakeholder and community meetings, and a partner survey, and reflects the priorities identified through those efforts; and 1 AARP Livable Communities Map, Austin, TX 2 City Services for Older Adults, Office of the City Auditor - October 2022 3 Austin City Council Resolution 20250605-084 4 Austin Older Adult Quality of Life Study 2025 5 AFAP Focus Area One, Final Draft, AFAP Focus Area Two, Final Draft, AFAP Focus Area Three, Final Draft Page 1 of 3 COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Aging Recommendation Number: 20261014-009: Approval and Endorsement of the Austin Age-Friendly Austin Action Plan 2026-2030 WHEREAS, the Age-Friendly Austin Action Plan 2026–2030 establishes measurable objectives, strategies, community and City partners, implementation timelines, and metrics to guide and assess progress toward making Austin a more Age-Friendly community; and WHEREAS, the Age-Friendly Advisory Committee and the Austin Commission on Aging, in their roles advising the City on issues affecting older adults, worked with Austin Public Health throughout the development of the Austin Age-Friendly Action Plan 2026–2030, reviewed successive drafts, and provided recommendations on the focus areas and implementation strategies6; and WHEREAS, the Age-Friendly Advisory Committee, authorized in the bylaws of the Commission on Aging, has reviewed and unanimously approved the final draft of the Austin Age-Friendly Austin Action Plan 2026–2030, at its October 5, 2026 Special Called Meeting, finding that it accurately reflects the priorities identified through community engagement and the Austin Older Adult Quality of Life Study, and now forwards it to the Austin Commission on Aging for formal endorsement; and WHEREAS, adoption and implementation of an Austin Age-Friendly Action Plan 2026-2030 supports Austin's continued participation in the AARP Network for Age-Friendly Cities and Communities and demonstrates the City's ongoing commitment to Age-Friendly planning. NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, that the Commission on Aging formally approves the final draft of the Austin Age-Friendly Action Plan 2026–2030; and BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, that the Commission on Aging recommends the Austin City Council endorse and approve the Austin Age-Friendly Action Plan 2026–2030 and adopt and implement it as the City's five-year roadmap for continuing to advance Austin as an Age-Friendly community, improving the 6 Commission on Aging Agenda 20260114, Commission on Aging Agenda 20260311, Age Friendly Advisory Committee Agenda 20260427, Commission on Aging Agenda 20260513, Commission on Aging Agenda 20260513, Commission on Aging Agenda 20260708, Commission on Aging Agenda 20260812, Commission on Aging Agenda 20260909, Age Friendly Advisory Committee Agenda 20261005. Page 2 of 3 COMMISSION RECOMMENDATION Commission on Aging Recommendation Number: 20261014-009: Approval and Endorsement of the Austin Age-Friendly Austin Action Plan 2026-2030 quality of life of older adults, and helping ensure that all Austinites have the opportunity to age safely, remain engaged in their communities, and live with dignity and independence. Date of Approval: _____________________________ Record of the vote: Attest: _____________________________________________ Page 3 of 3