City of San Diego Officially Becomes an Age-Friendly Community

The City of San Diego took a major step forward in leading the city towards a more livable and age-friendly community.

Mayor Kevin Faulconer, with support from The San Diego Foundation, recently committed to developing an age-friendly action plan as an official member of the AARP and World Health Organization Global Network of Age-Friendly Communities.

“Here in San Diego we’re focused on building more affordable housing, increasing mobility choices, and creating livable communities to improve the quality of life for all San Diegans, including older adults,” shared Mayor Faulconer. “We also recognize the importance of preparing for San Diego’s aging population with policies that enhance healthy aging, civic participation, and social inclusion.”

In just over a decade, approximately 1 million people aged 65 and older are expected to be living in the San Diego region, nearly double the senior population today.

By creating public-private partnerships like the one with the City of San Diego, The San Diego Foundation Age-Friendly Communities Program ensures that our region is evolving along with our population.

The news about the City of San Diego was announced in front of a crowd at City Hall on March 28. Ben Haddad, Board Member at The San Diego Foundation, joined Councilmember Chris Ward and other San Diego leaders to accept the AARP certificate as an official member of the Global Network of Age-Friendly Communities.

The press conference marks an important collaboration as local leaders reaffirm their commitment to develop policies and programs that support age-friendly practices.

As part of our work with the City of San Diego, The San Diego Foundation will continue to support the City’s research, adoption and implementation of its age-friendly action plan.

Building an Inclusive Future

Significant and sustainable system-level change is critical to improve San Diego’s Livability Index for older adults and people of all ages and abilities in our communities.

This is why The San Diego Foundation Age-Friendly Communities Program supports local nonprofits focused on enhancing the quality of life for older adults, as well as facilitates the adoption of an age-friendly action plans by local municipalities.

To date, the County of San Diego, City of Chula Vista, City of La Mesa, and now the City of San Diego have joined our efforts. These municipalities are now part of a national network representing 75-million people living in designated age-friendly communities.

Over the coming months and years, local officials will work to enhance the quality of life for older adults and people of all ages by strengthening existing policies and developing new programs that align with eight domains of livability.

We commend the City of San Diego on its commitment to a more vibrant region for all San Diegans and look forward to sharing more information about how this impacts local policies and programs.

Support age-friendly communities by contributing to our Age-Friendly Communities Program.

Donate Today

About Peggy Pico

[vc_row][vc_column width=”1/3″][vc_single_image image=”15015″ img_size=”” alignment=”center”][/vc_column][vc_column width=”2/3″][vc_column_text]As manager of The San Diego Foundation Age-Friendly Communities (AFC) program, Peggy Pico works with AARP, local businesses, donors, nonprofits and government partners for municipal adoption of an Age- Friendly Action Plan for all cities in our region.

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