The Legislative Task Force on Aging convened on Jan. 9, focusing on presentations from organizations that support seniors aging in place and addressing housing challenges for Minnesota’s rapidly aging population.

Presentations included insights from the following organizations:

• Community Aging in Place, Advancing Better Living for Elders (CAPABLE)
• Olmstead County Housing
• The Regional Transportation District
• Ramsey County Public Health, Healthy Aging Initiative
• Minnesota Housing Finance Agency
• Johnson-Reiland Builders and Remodelers

Key testimony

• Minnesota Housing reported that the peak of Minnesotans aged 85+ is projected for 2050, with Minnesotans aged 55-74 least likely to move. High homeownership rates are reported for Minnesotans through age 84, even among the lowest-income older adults.
• Olmstead County’s presentation highlighted data that revealed large disparities in senior housing demand versus delivered units. From 2013 through 2020, only 2% of the demand for active senior housing was met. Less than 40% of the demand for service-based units was met in Olmstead County, emphasizing the need for increased state funding for elderly homeowner rehab programs to support aging in place in a greater Minnesota community where the demand greatly outweighs available senior housing options.
• Ramsey County Public Health’s Healthy Aging Initiative addressed homelessness concerns among seniors, noting that 1 in 10 unhoused peoples in Ramsey County are over age 55, and are supporting criteria changes for state Rapid Rehousing services.

Solutions

Services: Ramsey County recognized the importance of enabling older adults to remain in their homes through meal delivery, safe public transportation and infrastructure, and in-home support services. “Heading Home Ramsey” is a continuum of care program created in 2021 by Ramsey County that coordinates services for the unhoused and addresses specific needs of sub-populations experiencing homelessness, such as veterans, victims of domestic violence, and the mentally ill.

Age-friendly development: Builders like Johnson-Reiland highlighted the need for age-friendly home development, incorporating features like zero-entry, wide doors and hallways, and roll-in showers. The Bluff View development in Northfield, Minnesota, is a nationally recognized Johnson-Reiland-built retirement community engineered with walkable but flatter environments with level driveways, sidewalks, and backyards and is a community entirely comprised of single-level, multi-unit buildings.