Rodney Harrell:Welcome back everyone.
Todd, over to you.
Todd Stubbendieck:Thank you very much.
I’m excited to be talking to two really impactful state leaders.
Go ahead and answer that through Slido.
Answers are coming in here.
Variety has jumped to the top there.
I saw Missing Middle Housing.
Affordable housing as well.
And I’m so glad that AARP is focusing on this today.
Todd Stubbendieck:Very good.
Justin Wayne:Not so much surprises me.
Todd Stubbendieck:Very good.
I’m going to move into my first question, and it’s going to be for Senator Wayne.
Justin Wayne:Well, first, I want to thank you for having me.
I think this is a very important conversation that we continue to have.
Todd Stubbendieck:Thank you, Senator Wayne.
Let me turn to Susan.
In January 2021, Governor Newsome unveiled the California Master Plan for Aging.
A couple questions around that.
Why the emphasis on housing in a master plan for aging?
Susan DeMarois:Good afternoon, everyone, and thank you for the invitation to join you today.
Data suggests that the 50 and older population is among the fastest growing homeless cohorts in our state.
We’re also looking at community care expansion in some of our boarding care and assisted-living communities.
We have Project Home Safe to allow people who may be in Adult Protective Services to have safe housing.
Todd Stubbendieck:Great, thank you, Susan.
Let’s talk a little bit about ARPA [American Rescue Plan Act] then.
Susan, I’ll stick with you first.
It contains $350 billion that state and local governments can use to address ongoing challenges, including housing.
And how do you engage residents, including older adults, in making those funding determinations?
I’m also privileged to serve on our state’s Inner Agency Council on Homelessness.
Todd Stubbendieck:Thank you.
Justin Wayne:Well, yeah, it’s a busy week.
We have another one this evening and another one tomorrow.
We’re doing $20.5 million of low-income housing tax credit programs through ARPA dollars.
set for Omaha, we set aside already $20 million for affordable housing.
There’s a need for not only workforce housing but single-family homes.
So we’ve had meetings with the City of Omaha, we’ve had meetings in Lincoln.
Todd Stubbendieck:I’ll take a point of personal privilege, Senator Wayne.
So I hope to see you tomorrow at tomorrow’s hearing.
I’m going to go ahead and stay with Justin Wayne.
With that in mind, what should we each be ready to do differently as a result of this?
Todd Stubbendieck:Very good.
Susan, same question.
What should we be ready to do differently as a result of today’s panel?
What I’m not seeing so much of is local voices at the city and county level.
I think the older adult population is not well represented.
Todd Stubbendieck:Thank you.
Remember, if you’d like to ask your question, just use the Slido Q&A function.
I’ve been looking at them coming in and we have several good ones in already.
Susan, I’ll start with you and then go to you, Senator Wayne.
You know, I would start by your city or county and googling your housing authority.
I’m sure there are public meetings coming up.
We heard about some happening in Nebraska this week.
And turn out for those meetings.
Mike Watson:Very well said.
Older adults are not a monolith.
Senator Wayne, what would you like to add from your experience?
Having a conversation before government decides they want to do something.
So I would say start now to have the conversation about next year.
Mike Watson:That is absolutely fantastic guidance.
I was trying to write some of it down here to confirm we don’t lose it.
Susan, let’s start with you and then go to you, Senator Wayne.
Susan DeMarois:Great.
I think in many communities, senior housing is very attractive, a very attractive addition to the community.
Mike Watson:Very, very good point.
Sounds like a lot of conversations and building those relationships with folks across sectors.
Senator Wayne, what would you like to add to that?
Justin Wayne:I agree with that.
Mike Watson:Very, very good points there, Senator Wayne.
So we have another question here asking for your advice and guidance.
And one of them is around the political differences on these issues.
Senator Wayne, let’s start with you and then go to you, Susan.
Mike Watson:Great point, Senator Wayne.
Susan, do you want to add to that?
We have county commissions on aging.
Mike Watson:All right, well if you’re listening today, you heard it.
give a shot to get involved locally.
On that, we’re kind of looking down the list of questions that are coming in.
We have time for about two more.
Susan, let’s start with you and then go to you, Senator Wayne.
I think we need to be creative with some of the solutions we’re looking for in rural areas.
So those are some of the things that we’re looking at in our rural areas.
Really exciting news there.
Senator Wayne, is there anything you’d like to share on that topic?
Mike Watson:Very well said.
I wish that was the question, the answer that we could close this out on.
Senator Wayne, let’s start with you, and then go to you, Susan.
Justin Wayne:From a state regarding preparedness, we’re just starting to have that conversation.
Our state wasn’t affected from COVID and the pandemic as many other states were.
I think we’re still trying to identify what are some of the issues.
Mike Watson:That’s great.
That’s a great place to start.
It sounds like you’re already moving on the solution dial as well, Senator.
Susan, let’s turn it over to you to answer that question, then we’ll close out.
Susan DeMarois:Unfortunately, this is a topic we have a lot of experience within California.
Just in the last few weeks we’ve had extreme heat events that have disproportionally impacted older adults.
I want to thank you both for joining us so much.
Senator Wayne, that was fantastic.
It’s been a really fantastic discussion, and a great way to close out our day today.
And on that note, today just has been incredible.
Now before we wrap, we want to hear from you again in Slido.
The presentation transcript was created by an automated transcription tool.
Mentioned Resource:CaliforniaMaster Plan for Aging
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